Cancer researcher Meyers to speak April 10
March 30, 2007
KOKOMO, Ind.—Fundamental chemical reactions, being studied at a Southern Illinois University (SIU) research center, might hold clues to highly effective treatments for prostate and breast cancer. Cal Meyers, Ph.D., founder and director of Meyers Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry at SIU Carbondale, will discuss the institute’s cancer research in a public lecture, “Applying New Tricks to Answer Old Questions” Tuesday, April 10, at Indiana University Kokomo. Admission is free to Meyers’ 7 p.m. lecture in Kresge Auditorium.
IU Kokomo Assistant Professor of Chemistry Songwen Xie, Ph.D., invited Meyers to campus. “I did cancer research with Dr. Meyers for five years while getting my doctorate,” Xie explained. At the Meyers Institute, Xie studied the organic synthesis and cell lines of estrogenic compounds that inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer cells. She presented the project at the 2004 American Chemical Society’s national conference, drawing serious interest from major pharmaceutical companies.
Sponsored by the IU Kokomo American Democracy Project, Meyers’ campus visit will include lectures to two of Xie’s classes during the day, as well as his evening presentation. “Dr. Meyers is so passionate about science and chemistry that he always gets very excited during his talk, which I think is fabulous to inspire our students,” Xie said.
For more information on chemistry studies and other recently introduced degree programs at IU Kokomo, visit www.iuk.edu/six.
