ESU researcher involves students in cell division study

The challenge of scientific research is that much of the time, the experiments fail. But those experiences provide valuable lessons that an Emporia State University professor is teaching his students.

When Dr. Kim Simons arrived on the Emporia State University campus this fall, he immediately launched into research he had started at a previous institution. “I’m currently working with three undergraduates and a graduate student at ESU on a project to study cell division,” explained Simons, an assistant professor of biochemistry.

“If we know more about how cells divide, then we’ll know how cells divide incorrectly,” said Simons. “When they divide incorrectly, that can potentially lead to cancer. And so by better understanding the cell cycle, we can eventually lead to better treatments for cancer.”

Simons began his cell division study at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnston, where he taught for three years before coming to ESU this fall. Results of that research led Simons to try a different technique at ESU, called the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.

Students like Emily Torres,  a senior from Olpe, and Whitney Franklin, a junior from Wichita,  are looking forward to helping Simons continue the research.

“I’ve learned about these procedures, but I’ve never actually done any of them, so it’s exciting to actually be doing things that I’ve learned about and could be doing in the future as a job,” said Torres.

“One of the most exciting things is that I’m getting a chance to do biochemistry research,” said Franklin.        

“The students have had lab classes, and most of that laboratory work is exercises. They’ve been done before, and 95 percent of the time they work. But they haven’t learned how science works, and that is most of the time, things fail. I spend the majority of my time learning how to troubleshoot.

Simons received $40,000 funding from the Kansas Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) to continue his research. In addition, ESU received a $190,000 federal grant to purchase new instrumentation and equip an advanced biotechniques laboratory where the research will be conducted.

Simons is excited about the prospect of continuing the project. “This will be a project that will last awhile,” he said. “I’m sure we won’t have all the answers in a year or two.”

Originally from Hays, Simons holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Dallas. After earning his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle, Simons moved to Boston to do post-doctoral research. He taught at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown for three years.

“I moved here to be closer to family, and also to be able to work in a graduate program in chemistry,” said Simons. His wife, Jami Reever, is executive director of United Way of the Flint Hills in Emporia.

Last Updated October 26, 2009>