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Chemical engineering major Edious Kwaipa ’06 (Harare, Zimbabwe) is conducting research to synthesize a promising anti-cancer drug that may also help to treat a condition that causes vision loss.
Kwaipa is working alongside William Miles, associate professor of chemistry, through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students assist faculty with research while earning a stipend. Lafayette is a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate in EXCEL each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.
Squalamine, a steroid isolated from dogfish sharks, possesses anti-tumor properties and interferes with the formation of new blood vessels — a critical factor in the growth of tumors. It is also a potential treatment for wet macular degeneration, a form of the condition that affects the eyes, Miles says.
“Squalamine has been an effective component in various clinical studies,” he explains. “Since dogfish sharks would not even begin to supply a fraction of the needed squalamine for clinical trials, it has been synthesized in the laboratory from more readily available steroids in many chemical steps.”
Miles has previously worked on synthesizing compounds for the creation of squalamine; he has based one compound onchenodeoxycholic acid, a drug that dissolves gallstones. Because of problems with some of the reactions, Miles was forced to do further testing.
Once Kwaipa began working with him, Miles instructed him to synthesize catalysts to further optimize the chenodeoxycholic acid reactions.
Miles has shared his research through a total of 50 academic journal articles and presentations at scientific meetings. The American Chemical Society recently awarded him a grant to continuehis work with Lafayette students to develop synthetic forms of Vitamin D that can help treat diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, and psoriasis.
Kwaipa started working on the project with Miles over the January interim session and will continue this summer.
“We are doing groundbreaking stuff,” Kwaipa says. “It’s history, really, whether we succeed or not.”
Kwaipa became interested in the project last semester when he had an organic chemistry class with Miles. After learning that Miles was looking for an EXCEL Scholar, Kwaipa approached him.
“I was very interested and excited to work with him,” Kwaipa says, adding that Miles has a vast knowledge of chemical engineering. “He’s just amazing.”
Miles says that he has seen Kwaipa quickly master laboratory techniques that he needed to learn.
“It is always fun to have a student who is unafraid to learn and try new techniques,” he says. “Edious is a conscientious and hard-working student.”
Kwaipa says that communicating with other students and the faculty is easy at Lafayette because it is a close-knit learning community. In addition, research projects are great because of the one-on-one interaction between professor and student, he says.
“In a normal class, you’re just one of 20 students. When you’re working [outside of the classroom, the professor] is with you all the way,” Miles explains. “It’s a different experience than just being in class. You get to refine your skills and you reach your top-most potential.”
Kwaipa believes that Lafayette has given him a good foundation for his future endeavors.
“If you want a place to achieve your full potential, Lafayette is the best place. Only a small college like Lafayette with big resources allows student to do such research,” he says.
Although Kwaipa plans on furthering his education after graduating and someday working in the biomedical engineering industry, he would like to be able to build new molecules and medicines.
“I think this project gives me a lot of experience for the working world,” Kwaipa says. “[The research] put me on a platform and I can go from there.”
Kwaipa has been a member of International Students Association and Lafayette Activities Forum as well as vice president of the Asian Cultural Association. He also plays intramural soccer and is a student supervisor at Kirby Sports Center.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Over the past five years, more than 130 Lafayette students have presented results from research conducted with faculty mentors, or under their guidance, at the conference. Forty-two students are scheduled to present their work at the annual conference this April.