Kentucky student takes second in annual science competition

A University of Pikeville student was recently recognized for her health sciences poster presentation in the Kentucky Academy of Science 2016 Annual Meeting. 

Danielle Upton, a chemistry major, took second place for her poster, titled "Anacardic acid, found in cashews and mangoes, as a dietary supplement for pancreatic cancer patients." She said her focus was on finding effective treatments.

"The goal was the find if anacardic acid was an effective therapeutic in the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients that also exhibits low toxicity, low resistance and higher survival rate," Upton said.

Upton has worked for three years with Maiyon Park, an assistant professor of physiology at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine.
 
The meeting, held at the University of Louisville, drew more than 700 scientists and students, many of whom entered projects into various research competitions. 

The Kentucky Academy of Science was founded in 1914, and is today a nonprofit organization. The mission of the academy is to encourage an understanding of science as well as scientific discoveries in the state.