Horizons Fall 2013

11 HORIZONS system for studying normal breast in culture so we can look at environmental chemicals in the breast as well,” she said. Latimer, Grant, and a team of researchers in Pittsburgh were able to determine that breast cancers that arise sporadi- cally, rather than through inheritance of certain genes, likely start with defects of DNA repair mechanisms. The study, published in 2010 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , showed that potent chemo- therapy drugs that target DNA in later-stage cancers could be an effective way to treat the earliest of breast tumors. The research also found that breast cells do not repair ev- eryday damage to DNA as well as other tissues, such as skin. “DNA repair is a process that occurs 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the nucleus of every one of your cells to reverse DNA damage,” Latimer said. The damage can occur because of exposure to radiation, chemicals, and other environmental factors, she said. “The more these occur, the more likely these cells are to become a cancer cell,” but most take 50 years or more to develop, she said. Latimer said the discovery that normal breast cells don’t repair themselves as well as some other cells has led to new research exploring ways to improve the cells’ protective abili- ties with the hope of reducing the number of breast cancer cases. Another important area of research involves tumor stem cells, which are more resistant to treat- ment than tumor cells. “If you kill the stem cells, the tumor will peter out, because without stem cells it cannot live. No one is doing it yet, but we’re working on an approach that doctors are waiting for. Any tumor that recurs, it’s be- cause of the stem cells,” Grant said. “We scientists are the ultimate purveyors of hope,” Latimer said. “We believe in what we’re doing. I’ll put my strength in with everyone else on these medical problems and see what happens.” The couple’s 11-year-old daughter, Schaefer (her grandmother’s maiden name), attends the University School of Nova Southeastern University. Schaefer has her own lab coat, and they encourage her interest in science, “but right now, we’re being very supportive of her interest in dance,” Grant said. Latimer has told Schaefer that if her friends ask what her parents do, “she should say we work for mankind. We’ve told her she doesn’t have to be a scientist, but she has to do something to help mankind.” n NSU’s Horizons magazine won second place in the trade/special interest publication category during the 2013 Sunshine State Awards. The statewide journalism competition, which recognized Florida’s best work during the calendar year of 2012, is sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), South Florida Chapter. In this year’s competition, more than 500 entries from print, television, radio, and online media were evaluated by news professionals in other states. The Sunshine State Awards are a nationally recognized prestigious honor. The winning Horizons magazines were published in spring 2012 and fall 2012. The issues feature a variety of articles on NSU’s 18 colleges and profiles on alumni, faculty members, and students. The cover story for spring 2012 showed how NSU’s leading-edge programs focus on the aging population. The fall 2012 issue included an in-depth story on NSU’s new Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research—the largest facility in the United States dedicated to studying reef ecosystems throughout the world. Published twice a year, Horizons is distributed to alumni, students, and faculty and staff members. The award-winning issues were produced under the direction of Mara L. Kiffin, Horizons executive editor; Oline H. Cogdill, Horizons managing editor; Ron Ryan, director of NSU’s Office of Publications; and Susan Tischenkel-Hayward, associ- ate director/senior graphic designer for NSU’s Office of Publications. The other winners in the 2013 trade/special interest publication category were 850 — The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida , which won first place; and City & Shore Magazine (published by the S outh Florida Sun Sentinel ) which won third place. n AROUND NSU Horizons Magazine Wins Award Inside: Center of Excellence, NSU Veterans, International Students, Senatorial Debate, Student Orientation Leaders, Alumni at NASA and Disneyland Paris, Student Educational Centers fall 2012 New CeNter AdvANCes CorAl reef reseArCh Also inside:Alumni ofDistinction, ThePresident’s 64,DentalClinics spring 2012 NSU offersmyriad opportunities for seniors