Honors College student Anneke Tucker recently won The Journal of Young Investigators' Second Annual Virtual Poster Session.

Tucker, a senior in bioresource, with an option in toxicology, focused her video presentation on the research she conducted with Biochemisty and Biophysics Professor Dr. Balz Frei and research associate Dr. Meltem Musa on the inhibition of enzymes in the stomach, specifically for Type-2 diabetes patients.

Tucker's research was conducted during a fellowship last summer with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and through work with the Linus Pauling Institute on the Oregon State University campus.

But the story to Tucker's success goes deeper than her passion in public health.

Starting out as an animal science major with an emphasis in dairy, and a Future Farmers of American state officer, Tucker found guidance in her advisor, Wanda Crannell, who steered her in the direction of bioresource.

Bioresource is a major that touches on all fields of science and Tucker chose to focus on toxicology.

"Science has always been easy for me." Tucker explains, as she describes the vast science and math requirements encompassed in the major.

Tucker admits that she was nervous to give the presentation in front of a scientific crowd.

"I am most nervous when talking about science…Trying to make myself convey to a community that is very integrating and understands the concept," she said. "If I said I used a phosphate buffer instead of a saline buffer, that's a big difference. I think I was more focused than nervous."

She cites Musa as a mentor who has helped her achieve her goals.

"Meltem put it in perspective of what it means to be a scientist and researcher…a real driving force who was very supportive of me," Tucker said.

While Tucker praises others, many on campus had a lot to say about her unique qualities.

"She is extraordinary," said Kevin Ahern, director of The Howard Hughes Medical Institute at OSU. "Number one: She is a gifted speaker, confident, she knows what she is talking about, she has a great smile, technically accurate, and I think she is very efficient with what she has to say…one of the most gifted student speakers I've ever known."

Director of OSU's Linus Pauling Institute Dr. Balz Frei had similar thoughts about Tucker.

"Enthusiastic," Frei said about Tucker. "She wants to really do work with a direct relevance to human health and eager to help people improve health."

The research done by Tucker, Musa and Frei was an in-depth study encompassing enzymes a-Amylase and a-Glycosidase and their ability to prevent starch and carbohydrate absorption as a treatment for diabetic people.

Frei said Tucker even did a human study on herself by eating starch with grape seed extract to measure her glucose levels.

"The biggest thing I learned was how to apply the classroom material to real life," Tucker said. "I think as students at a university, you really forget someday you are going to have to take what you learned out of the classroom. Doing this research has forced me to do that."

Currently, Tucker is studying for her MCAT and wishes to become an osteopathic physician once graduating medical school, but first she is getting married this fall to her fiancé Russel Griffith, a senior in general agriculture.

No matter what happens in her academic journey, Tucker knows her calling,

"If med school doesn't work out, my purpose in life is in medicine," she said.

To watch Tucker's video, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSsrDqP_9bs

Colin Bowyer, staff writer
737-2231, news@dailybarometer.com