Dawson Students Use Self-Developed Algorithms For Cancer Research In Partnership With Baylor College Of Medicine

LAFAYETTE, Colo., Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dawson School announced today that several of its Upper School students have been invited to help conduct research usually pursued by high level collegiate, graduate, and professional researchers: analyzing cancer data in an effort to improve cancer treatments and outcomes. Dawson, the region's premier K-12 independent school, was offered the opportunity by the Lichtarge Lab at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) to join others in tackling the challenge of analyzing decades of cancer research to detect patterns that promote better comprehension of cancer processes and treatments. Dawson is the only secondary school nationwide involved in the project.

The Lichtarge Cancer Collaborative Program (LCCP) is steered by Stephen Wilson, Graduate Student with Lichtarge Lab at BCM. Wilson described LCCP as "an effort to offer motivation and experience to advanced high-school students who are capable of contributing to the field of cancer discovery and, perhaps just as important, preparing for their future." Wilson reached out to his former teacher, Erik Nickerson, now Dawson Upper School math and physics teacher, and coach of the school's robotics team, RC Dawson. Nickerson is overseeing the Dawson students' efforts, as well as contributing his own.

According to Nickerson, "Of course, we aren't genome specialists, but it is entirely possible that these young people, coming at the challenge with a naïve but analytical and unbiased perspective, will spot something that others missed."

Wilson concurred: "The Lichtarge Lab is excited to have Dawson students' fresh perspective, insights, and energy applied to this massive need. Furthermore, as specialists in the bioinformatics field, we are helping to nudge the students' efforts into areas of research that have not been fully explored and hold promise for cancer patients. They are joining a worldwide force to try and make strides in understanding the intricacies of cancer."

The Dawson group is comprised of several students passionate about coding and robotics; at the group's core are Dawson juniors Alex Pelletier and Elliot Scribner, senior Sage Thomas, and RC Dawson member Connor Hudson. The group attacks the massive corpus of information using algorithms they create to try to detect patterns in the data. Nickerson added, "The group is writing code that is similar to the artificial intelligence commonly required in robotics, video games, and e-commerce informatics, all industries that are in high-demand." The work began this fall and will continue during robotics' after-school time and during students' free time. Wilson periodically Skypes with the team to check on progress, offer encouragement, and suggest new directions.

Dawson's George P. Moore, Head of School, is closely following the group's progress. "This is a perfect example of how Dawson's vision – that our students achieve their potential, savor life, and meet the world's challenges – is enacted at our school every day. This project is problem-solving with a real-world application, and it is a fantastic opportunity for our talented students. I have every expectation that they will contribute to this project in a clear and meaningful way."

Nickerson concluded, "Dawson is at the forefront of incorporating self-directed learning into our students' experience. The school is extremely excited to have been invited to be a part of such a important endeavor."

Dawson School, located in Lafayette, Colorado, is the region's premier K-12 independent school. With a 45-year track record of success, students benefit from challenging college-preparatory academics, individual attention, exceptional faculty, robust athletics and arts programs, and renowned outdoor and experiential education.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Amirani, Dawson School
O: 303-665-6679 x472
C: 303-525-7451

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SOURCE Dawson School

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