$10,000 to Parkinson’s Research
Assistant professor granted funding for research project
By Andrea Lenhart
Torch Staff Writer
An earlier edition of this article was originally published in Ferris State University’s student-run newspaper The Torch in Spring 2017.
Jennifer Lamberts, an assistant professor of Pharmacology in Ferris State University’s College of Pharmacy, was granted $10,000 for her Parkinson’s disease research through a 2017 New Investigator Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
Lamberts attended Kalamazoo College for a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and went to graduate school at the University of Michigan for a Ph.D. in pharmacology.
Lamberts was mainly interested in neuroscience and neurologic disease, but her interest in studying Parkinson’s disease grew when she was performing her postdoctoral fellowship in neurodegenerative science at the Van Andel Institute.
“As soon as I learned more about the disease, I became extremely interested. It is such a terrible disease that has no cure, so we need
as many people working on it as possible,” Lamberts said.
“Since starting my fellowship, I also found out that my great-uncle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, so now my interest is of a personal nature as well,” she added.
Lamberts is using her interest for neurology and linking it to Parkinson’s disease.
“My hypothesis is that brain injury earlier in life can cause changes within the brain that lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease,” Lamberts said.
According to Lamberts, she is going to use an artificial system and cultured cells to see whether these substances cause neurodegenerative changes like those observed in human Parkinson’s disease.
“This is a very common technique, but requires the use of large quantities of antibodies, which are very expensive,” Lamberts said.
“I also wanted the extra funding to be able to pay a student to assist me with the research.”
Lamberts explained that she will benefit greatly from this funding and conducting research, but the student will also benefit by getting hands on experience, which could assist that student with career opportunities.
“I think the college and university will also benefit from the increased publicity around this project, and I certainly hope that the field of Parkinson’s disease research and one day Parkinson’s patients, will benefit from the new knowledge generated through this project,” Lamberts said.
For Lamberts to receive this funding, she had to write a letter of interest. Once the letter was accepted, she had to formally apply. Lamberts waited for several months before learning her research
was accepted for funding.
According to Lamberts, she applied for the same funding in 2015
and was rejected. She decided to apply again after reviewing comments and suggestions.
“If I learned anything, it is that you shouldn’t be too disappointed by failure, and sometimes you need to try several times before you succeed,” Lamberts said.
Lamberts is humbled and motivated by the outpouring support from family, friends, colleagues and students.
“Now that my work has been recognized, I especially want to do a
good job,” Lamberts said. “I will try my best to deliver.”