PVM Guest Lecture Features Leading Stem Cell Researcher from Cornell

“Transitional Zones and Cancer” was the title of a special guest lecture given in Lynn Hall recently by Alexander Nikitin, MD, PhD, professor of pathology at Cornell University and leading stem cell researcher, who spoke to an audience of Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduate students, faculty, and staff.  The presentation was hosted by the PVM Office of Research as part of the College’s Graduate Student Research Seminar Series.

Dr. Nikitin leads the Cornell Stem Cell Program and is director of the Cornell Training Program in Stem Cell Research, director of the Cornell Stem Cell Pathology Unit, and co-director of the Cornell Stem Cell Modeling and Phenotyping Core. His research aims to understand how aberrations in molecular and cellular mechanisms governing tissue homeostasis may lead to cancer initiation and progression.

Dr. Nikitin’s work has offered important conceptual insights into the mechanisms by which stem cell niches contribute to cancer pathogenesis.  As a part of his interests in pathology, Dr. Nikitin is developing the concept of “stem cell pathology.”

The PVM Graduate Program Research Seminar Series was initiated last year as a means of providing graduate students exposure to accomplished scholars giving high quality scientific lectures that are open to the entire college.  Both PVM faculty and outside guest lecturers are invited speak.  The seminar series also gives the graduate students experience in making their own scientific presentations.  Dr. Nikitin’s guest lecture on March 29 in Lynn 1136 was followed by a reception in the Continuum Café.