Clarksville, Ark. --- University of the Ozarks senior Tyler Wilson, a biology major from Claremore, Oklahoma, was recently accepted into two summer research fellowship programs.
Wilson has decided to attend Boston University this summer for obesity research. He turned down the opportunity to study at the University of Nebraska for cancer research.
Wilson, who will study in Boston for two months this summer, will be studying other mammals and humans.
“We will be looking at different glands and mutations that might cause obesity,” said Wilson. “It might not just be people eating too much. It might be medical diseases or other cases.”
Wilson, who is part Native American, chose the opportunity to study at Boston in hopes of helping out the Native American community.
“Last year I observed a Native American hospital during Spring break,” said Wilson. “After talking with the doctors [at the hospital], they told me obesity was the biggest worry in the Native American community at this time. I wanted to help them the best I can.”
Wilson spent one week observing at the Claremore (OK) Indian Hospital, which helped him decide between the two summer fellowship research programs.
Wilson will join a group of graduate students and researchers at Boston to work on the obesity research this summer.
“I’m hoping to help out in any way I can while I’m there,” said Wilson. “10 weeks is not enough time to complete the entire lab, but I hope I can contribute to their overall results.”
After graduating from Ozarks, Wilson plans on entering either graduate or medical school.
Topics: Biology