James E. Butrynski, M.D.
Research Scholar, 1989-1991
Research Associate, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Acting Instructor, Department of Medicine, University of Washington

"My undergraduate research experiences enhanced my desire to become a physician-scientist. After my first year at Wayne State University School of Medicine, I spent the summer doing a research project at the NIH and was favorably introduced to biomedical research. It was clear that the Research Scholars Program could provide me with a unique opportunity, in an outstanding research environment, to further explore and be trained for biomedical research.

As a Research Scholar, I was mentored by Drs. Allen Spiegel and William Simonds. I learned an approach to solving problems in signal transduction, and applied biomedical and molecular biology techniques to probe our hypotheses. In addition, I learned skills of data analysis and how to communicate my data effectively. My work in the area of post-translational modification of G protein subunits and its importance to membrane attachment culminated in publications in peer reviewed journals and presentations at national meetings. I wanted to develop additional research skills and complete my project, and was approved to stay for a second year in the program.

The strength of the Cloister Program was the passion of the scientists, support staff, and Research Scholars in creating a stimulating environment that fostered my scientific curiosity. The HHMI and NIH scientific staff provided critical and frank guidance to help match my research interests with potential NIH mentors. Potential NIH mentors were eager to meet me and discuss science and career options. Fellow Research Scholars were a source of friendship, inspiration, and ideas. Scientific activities included informal talks by Research Scholars, seminars by NIH or HHMI scientists, and the availability of daily NIH campus seminars. The social and cultural activities of the greater Washington D.C. area provided additional enrichment.

My participation in the Research Scholars Program distinguished me from other applicants for residency and fellowship programs. My experiences in the program fortified my choice of an academic career path and influenced my acceptance to residency training in Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology at the NIH.

Currently, I am a Research Associate at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Acting Instructor at the University of Washington funded by an NIH K23 grant. I divide my efforts between the laboratory and clinic with mentoring from Drs. Irwin Bernstein and Oliver Press. In the laboratory, I conduct pre-clinical studies of novel radioimmunotherapy for hematalogical malignancies. In the clinic, I manage lymphoma cases, co-investigate on clinical trials, and attend on the transplant service. I hope to be an independent investigator translating laboratory findings into clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients with hematalogical malignancies."