Driven by memory

Wednesday, June 3, 1998

Driven by memory

AWARD: After witnessing her mother die

from breast cancer, medical student Tomlinson-Chesnut has
dedicated her life and research to finding a cure

By Kathryn Combs

Daily Bruin Staff

At the age of 15, her mother was unexpectedly diagnosed with
breast cancer. Shortly after the diagnosis, complications from the
disease took her life. Ever since, Treise Tomlinson-Chesnut has
been driven to find a cure, with memories of her mother as part of
her academic motivation.

National Medical Fellowship Inc. recently recognized her for
dedication to this cause.

In recognition of her success in cancer research, the fellowship
presented Tomlinson-Chesnut, 26, with the David E. Rogers Memorial
Award, sponsored by the Bristol Meyers Squibb. The award is
designed to recognize the accomplishments of minority medical
students in academic research.

The award was given to another UCLA medical student, Jeaniene
Talley, last year.

When choosing the winner, judges evaluate student presentations
on research material, how well students understand their research
and its future importance. The winner is chosen out of a pool of 35
fellows in academic medicine.

Tomlin-Chesnut’s research focuses on a specific gene found in
severe cases of breast and ovarian cancer.

According to Tomlinson-Chesnut, a genetic mutation causes the
production of a protein responsible for causing cancer cells to
multiply. In 25 to 30 percent of cases of ovarian and breast
cancer, this mutation is one of the causes.

"Patients with this genetic mutation have a more aggressive type
of cancer so they have a poor prognosis in terms of survival," said
Tomlinson-Chestnut.

Her research focuses specifically on the use of a protein
component called a peptide.

The peptide Tomlinson-Chesnut and her colleagues are studying
inhibits the production of cancer-causing proteins that make cancer
more severe.

This research could open up new treatment options for breast and
ovarian cancer.

"We know that because the peptide is smaller, it can penetrate
better (and) there is less of an immune reaction against it,"
Tomlinson-Chesnut said, explaining that these factors make the
peptide a good candidate for this type of therapy.

"We are currently testing it out and we hope that it works to
inhibit cellular growth," she added.

Dr. Dennis Slamon, mentor to Tomlinson-Chesnut and director of
the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program, was not surprised
at his student’s recognition.

"Treise’s performance in the laboratory has been nothing short
of outstanding," Slamon said in a statement. "I’m confident that
she will continue to excel in her work, becoming an excellent
physician and researcher."

Her mother’s story has been inspiring Tomlinson-Chesnut
throughout her undergraduate and medical education at UCLA.

"When my mother was going through her ordeal, she didn’t have
medical insurance. At times I felt like her care wasn’t adequate,"
she said.

In the future, Tomlinson-Chesnut plans to establish breast
cancer treatment centers in low-income areas to increase the
community’s access to the latest treatments and clinical
trials.

"This is another reason I wanted to work with under-served
communities and cancer victims. I want to provide good treatment
and information about the latest research and the latest clinical
trials," she said.

This annual award, including a $500 prize, is given in the name
of David E. Rogers, the founding chairman of the program
development committee of the Fellowship Program in Academic
Medicine for Minority Students.

Created in 1994, shortly after Rogers’ death, the award
recognizes academic medicine fellows that make the best research
presentation at the annual National Medical Fellowships,
Inc./Bristol Meyers Squibb research symposium.

Tomlinson-Chesnut feels the award makes her work all the more
meaningful. "It means a great deal to me because I feel like my
hard work has been recognized."

Her colleagues seem to feel the same way.

"She is one of a distinguished group of student scholars that is
going to really make a difference in medicine in the future," said
Patricia Pratt, director of student support services for the school
of medicine.

"She puts her time into what she believes in."

JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin

TreiseTomlinson-Chesnut has been driven to find a cure for
breast cancer ever since the disease took the life of her
mother.