Every dollar raised from Ohio State’s grassroots bike tour, Pelotonia, goes to research, put to immediate use at Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute to fund research at all levels — from faculty to graduate and undergraduate students. Pelotonia Research Fellowships are given to postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students.

This year, 22 ASC students were among the 28 Ohio State undergraduate Pelotonia Undergraduate Research Fellowships winners. Their majors ranged from the expected: biology, microbiology and molecular genetics, to the not-so: philosophy, economics, speech and hearing science.

Their 22 research projects varied: they evaluated the effects of chemotherapy on hearing; investigated the role ultra violet light plays in melanoma development; studied how socioeconomic status, social support systems and perceived daily stress affects the lives of cancer survivors; used tools of decision theory and experimental economics to study improved doctor-patient communication; evaluated effects of chemotherapy on hearing ability; and looked at the ethics of organ removal as a treatment means.

Their paths to research vary, but many may share what motivated senior biology major Zamon Sawyer. “I became interested in research purely out of curiosity. Freshman year I took an introduction to research course, which I enjoyed very much, so, at the beginning of junior year I looked into undergraduate openings in labs across campus.

“Microbiology Professor Helen Chamberlin was very welcoming and a great mentor, so I decided to stay in her lab. My research is in the area of molecular genetics/microbiology.”

Sawyer’s project, "A Window of Opportunity: How the PAX Gene Family May Lend Insight to Cancer Cell Proliferation," looks at what role paired box genes, called PAX genes, play in the production of fatty acids.

“Since cancer cells require fatty acids to grow and communicate with other cells, finding the genes that regulate fatty acid production will lend insight to methods that can be used to disrupt the rapid growth of cancer cells,” Sawyer said.

“My project is unique and reaffirms that a multidisciplinary approach must be used in order to find a cure for cancer.

“I was inspired to conduct this project because cancer has affected my family, friends and many others across our nation. I believe that with today’s cutting-edge technology and the breadth of knowledge that we now have, a cure can be found and lives will no longer need to be lost.”

Sawyer, from Pickerington, Ohio, plans to attend dental school following graduation. “I became interested in dentistry at a young age because it is a field that combines the two things that I love, science and helping others.”

“Unlike medicine, dentistry will allow me to see patients more frequently and make a difference in their lives. I want to start a dental practice with low treatment fees and educational workshops for my community’s underserved populations.”

Many of the Pelotonia Fellowship winners were either riders or virtual riders. Sawyer rode and said, “I was inspired to ride in Pelotonia because I wanted to give back. I am grateful for Pelotonia’s supporting my research; riding and raising funds was the least I could do.

“I am really glad that I did. I experienced what it means to be a part of the Buckeye Family/Community; it was a wonderful way to start my senior year.

“We encouraged and checked on one another throughout the ride; whenever I felt like stopping I just looked left or right and saw someone three times my age sweating and working hard — that motivated me to keep pushing.”

Only to be expected from Sawyer, who is service-focused and always willing to go the extra mile(s) to help others. A resident advisor in Baker Hall East, she is president of Ladies of Leadership, a student organization that provides upper-level undergraduate women opportunities to mentor first-year women of color to reach their academic and leadership aspirations.

—Sandi Rutkowski