A summer at the Bench

Daniel Pepe was born with a natural curiosity. His inquisitive nature was nurtured by a physician who provided care to him for a lengthy illness he suffered from during his teen years. It is his desire and willingness to find answers that has led him to successfully pursue a medical degree and participate in the Summer Research Training Program (SRTP).

As a result, Pepe decided to spend the past two summers at the bench instead of the beach.

After spending his undergraduate years in the Bachelor of Medical Sciences program and being accepted into the undergraduate medical program, Western University felt like home to Pepe. And joining a lab just became an extension of the already positive experience he was having.

As part of the SRTP, Pepe joined other first and second year medical students to work under the supervision of a faculty member on a research project throughout the summer. The program's goal is to accelerate training in basic and clinical research in a closely mentored and supportive peer-reviewed environment. Through the SRTP, students gain exposure to basic and clinical research and develop a much broader view of practicing medicine. The Program provides outstanding research training opportunities with funding to support mentored projects over 18 or 24 months duration. Students have the opportunity to learn about treatments and protocols and to take that knowledge and challenge it in the lab.

"Over the last few years," says Grace Parraga, PhD, Program Chair, "we have witnessed outstanding trainees with high impact projects and results that are not only published, but that have an impact on health care delivery and our fundamental understanding of disease processes."

Pepe's research focussed on understanding why diabetic patients develop wounds on their legs and which types of treatments could heal them. His choice in research areas has a personal connection - Daniel's grandfather suffered from type two diabetes.

His work was so successful, that he received an award, along with three of his peers: Laura Eral, Sanieeban Mishra and Chantal Forristal.

"We view these programs as an important part of building the next generation of clinician researchers, for whom translational research is already the norm," says Parraga. For Pepe, the exposure to research was invaluable as it showed him the impact of taking his work from bench to bedside and back, where he will continue to help patients find those answers.