A D A M. M. S L I C K M A N '99

The following feature story appeared in the campus publication MOSAIC in April, 1999.

HONING HIS LAB SKILLS TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN CANCER RESEARCH

At first glance, Adam M. Slickman '99 appears casual and laid back. But he is anything but relaxed when it comes to learning. The biochemistry major has performed cutting-edge research on lipids, which are biomolecules essential for membrane formation, energy storage and metabolism in all living things. And now, he is exploring whether natural compounds, starting with a substance in chili peppers, can provide the key to preserving the lipids in food more safely than synthetic substances. The recipient of numerous academic honors and scholarships, he plans to attend graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and pursue a career in cancer research.

A graduate of Natick High School in Massachusetts, Slickman enrolled at Trinity believing its small size would allow him to develop close relationships with the faculty. He began forming bonds with professors as early as his first semester, when his adviser, Professor of Biology Donald B. Galbraith, helped him discover the opportunities Trinity offered in the sciences. Slickman explains, "I was originally a neuroscience major but decided I was more interested in studying biological chemistry. I felt this avenue of study would prepare me for a wider variety of options as a graduate student, at which time I could become more focused."

The summer after his sophomore year, he was selected as a Pfizer/UConn Summer Research Fellow at the University of Connecticut’s School of Pharmacy in Storrs, where he designed a new method whereby a researcher can use a mass spectrometer to detect the presence and quantities of certain lipids in cell membranes. Slickman’s new method provides researchers another tool for learning how drugs interact with cell membranes. At the end of the summer, Slickman was invited to deliver his paper, "Plasma Desorption Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Synthetic and Naturally Occurring Lipids," at the 19th Annual Undergraduate Research Seminar, sponsored by West Virginia University and the Merck Company Foundation and held in Morgantown, WV.

Collaborative research

Over the past two years, Slickman has collaborated with Professor of Chemistry David E. Henderson in research on how capsaicin (the spicy compound found in chili peppers) acts as an antioxidant or preservative of lipids in food. According to Slickman, "Some of the best antioxidants are synthetic, but it is not known how safe they are to consume; some may be carcinogenic. Researchers are currently looking for natural antioxidants in plants that might be safer to eat. We developed a relatively simple and direct way of comparing antioxidants, then used the method to compare capsaicin to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and other antioxidants." The results of this collaboration between professor and student have been jointly written up and submitted for publication to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Professor Henderson says, "Adam has done impressive work in all of his courses and is the kind of student who seeks out challenging projects and is not afraid to commit the time they require." Henderson, who has taught at Trinity since 1977 and who hopes to publish two additional papers with Slickman, notes, "If all goes according to plan, Adam will probably have more publications upon graduation than any student in my memory." Slickman, in turn, has high praise for his professor. "My collaboration with Professor Henderson has been the most useful and enjoyable academic experience I have had at Trinity. He has been a mentor, adviser, and a friend."

Academic honors

Slickman's sharp focus on the sciences has produced impressive academic success. He earned faculty honors twice and received both the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the American Chemical Society Award for his work in analytical chemistry and the Division of Polymer Chemistry of the American Chemical Society Award for achievement in organic chemistry. As a junior he was awarded an undergraduate research grant from Sigma Xi for his research with Henderson and was named the recipient of the prestigious Vernon K. Krieble Scholarship for demonstrating "outstanding promise as a future research scientist."

Slickman has eagerly and generously shared his scientific acumen with the Trinity community. As a first-year student and member of ConnPIRG, the student-directed, statewide organization that focuses on environmental preservation, he co-designed a water-watch campaign, in which students in analytical chemistry classes regularly monitor the health of Hartford’s Park River. He also has served as a teaching assistant in both chemistry and biology, and he recently spoke about his science experience at Trinity during the College’s National Symposium on the Liberal Arts College in the 21^st Century. "The courses I have taken have helped me formulate a clear understanding of the opportunities for chemical research that currently exist and that will exist in the future," Slickman explains. "My laboratory and research experiences have been the most useful of all, and they have helped me grow as a scientist."

Slickman plans to continue his growth as a scientist as Ph.D. candidate in chemistry this fall. His long-term goal is to co-direct a multidisciplinary institute where chemists, molecular biologists, immunologists, physicians, and other research professionals work together in cancer research. Says Slickman, "I see a lot of possible changes in the future for how medical/biochemical research is conducted. I am sure my focus will shift along the way, but hopefully I will be able to make a meaningful contribution."

- Jocelyn M. Jones ‘99