Monday, December 9, 2024
BAT-LSAMP Scholar Aims to Make Life Better for Rhuematoid Arthritis Patients
魅影直播 Dallas Biology Major Connor Hester Explaining His Polystyrene Degradation Research
Class of 2024 graduating senior Connor Hester was able to attend thanks to , a workforce development partnership that pays college tuition for deserving and eligible students.
Now, he鈥檚 made a promise to 鈥渕ake people鈥檚 lives better鈥� by helping find treatments and cures for diseases that affect millions of us. As Hester prepares to cross the commencement stage on December 17, while receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, he can鈥檛 help but think back to four years ago and all that has come since then.
鈥淐OVID was the floodgates,鈥� said Hester. As a freshman, he was forced to start his undergraduate studies by taking remote classes in the Fall 2020 semester. Then, his mother, father and sister all tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. 鈥淚t was not easy, but we got through it,鈥� he said modestly. Hester cared for them, all while staying masked and ensuring he remained healthy.
The passion and compassion that motivate Hester can be traced back well beyond the pandemic. He loves history and reading. 鈥淚 enjoy the company of books,鈥� Hester said wryly.
In third grade, Hester read , a book of his dads from college 鈥� heavy stuff for an eight-year-old. In fifth grade, he loved 鈥渟pilling out my knowledge and teaching other students,鈥� he said.
In middle school, as Hester wondered what kind of job he might want someday 鈥� knowing he enjoyed sharing knowledge 鈥� he thought about becoming a college professor. Even at 12 or 13, he envisioned himself on a campus collaborating with bright minds. 鈥淎t the time, I wished I could 鈥榯ime travel鈥� right into college,鈥� he laughs.
Or maybe a lawyer. Hester took debate class in high school, in part, because he thought it might provide a sort of pre-pre-law training. He imagined making powerful arguments in court 鈥渢o help people get what was rightfully theirs.鈥�
Then Hester had an epiphany. 鈥淭he legal system may not be the best way to help people,鈥� he said, recognizing cases can drag on for years with unpredictable results.
魅影直播 Dallas Biology Lab Where Conner Hestor and Classmates Conduced Research Experiments
That stark realization cemented Hester鈥檚 decision to become a doctor 鈥� specifically a researcher. He wants to dive deep to discover clues about illnesses and diseases and use that knowledge to improve lives. Hester says the song describes his personal ethos.
鈥淪ometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow鈥︹��
That lyric from 鈥�Lean on Me鈥� could describe patients who will benefit from Hester鈥檚 future research. But they could also describe someone very close to him, who needs his support now.
Conner Hestor with His Brother, Father (left), a Book Author, his Mother (second from right) and Sister
鈥淚t shaped me without hesitation,鈥� Hester said, about his mother鈥檚 diagnosis with Rheumatoid Arthritis. His parents told him about her illness when he was in high school.
鈥淚t鈥檚 debilitating. It鈥檚 so hard to see people you love not be able to do things like shopping and walking,鈥� Hester said. 鈥淚t really motivated me to keep driving myself.鈥�
Hester said that witnessing the effects of RA on his mother over time, especially during colder weather, made the disease more real and understandable. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to see it once,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another to see the mountains and valleys over the years,鈥� describing the ongoing ebb and flow of symptoms.
Rheumatologists, sonograms, blood tests. There are many aspects to treating people with RA 鈥� and so much time needed for appointments and procedures. Making matters even more challenging, Hester鈥檚 grandmother has Lupus, a similar yet different autoimmune disease. For a son, grandson and future doctor, 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a foundational experience,鈥� Hester said.
Graphic Shows Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis on a Woman's Body
Hester put that experience to good use in the research he has conducted over the past four years. In 2023, under the guidance of Dr. Mohammedmehdi (Mehdi) Eslamieh, a lecturer of Natural Sciences, Hester studied the biodegradation of polystyrene, a commonly used type of plastic. He tracked how super worms that ate the plastic affected the biodegradation process and what that could mean for the environment. Hester was chosen to present his research at the 魅影直播 Tech University Research Conference. 鈥淚t was an amazing opportunity to refine my presentation skills,鈥� he said.
Hester鈥檚 project won the LEDA Outstanding Commercialization Award from the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, chosen among ten competitors. The designation means judges felt his project had the best future potential as a commercially viable business. 鈥淚t was a significant moment,鈥� he said.
Later, Hester presented his research at the annual 魅影直播 Dallas Student Research Symposium, along with other students whose projects were equally impressive.
Hester鈥檚 other research included extracting E-DNA from microspecies living in White Rock Lake and studying the decomposition of fetal pigs.
Connor Hester Reviewing His Research at the 魅影直播 Dallas Student Research Symposium
To gain that practical research experience, Hester applied to the Bridges Across 魅影直播 Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation grant program, known as BAT-LSAMP. It is funding by the National Science Foundation and provides programs, resources, academic experiences, and financial support to students pursuing a STEM degree. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a blessing. I used the money for books,鈥� Hester said.
With graduation just a few weeks away, Hester has a lot of people to thank for his accomplishments at 魅影直播 Dallas. First, his parents. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e my pillars,鈥� said Hester. Then, his professors and mentors, including Drs. Varga, Yousufuddin, Mehdi, LaRusso, and Livingston. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a privilege to be molded by all these faculty,鈥� Hester proclaimed.
As he looks ahead at what鈥檚 next, Hester plans a quiet holiday with family and hopes to visit Columbia with his grandmother in early 2025.
He will continue his part-time job in the paint department at Home Depot, too. Not only does it provide spending money and travel funds, but it also connects Hester to his love of the sciences. Formulating and mixing paint involves chemistry and physics. 鈥淚鈥檓 seeing academic concepts in action at Home Depot,鈥� Hester said.
After a gap year, Hester will attend graduate school and eventually wants to earn a PhD in computational biography or biomedical sciences. Ambitions driven by a desire to find a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis and a more comfortable life for his mother and other afflicted with the disease.
From 鈥� Students