Anne Mones, a second-year cytology/histotechnology student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was recognized at the recent National Society of Histotechnology Convention for her poster illustrating the diagnostic aspects of pancreatic tumors and the link between pancreatic health and insulin production.
Her research was conducted in collaboration with her professor, Sheila Criswell, PhD, an assistant professor in the UTHSC College of Health Professions. Dr. Criswell, who played a pivotal role in guiding the research project, submitted the poster, along with a manuscript titled, “Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Hormones Secreted by Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors.” The poster garnered third place and the manuscript was published in the journal, Biotechnic & Histochemistry.
Each year at the convention, students, faculty, laboratory employees, and industry product manufacturers are encouraged to submit posters displaying their research in histotechnology. Mones’s and Dr. Criswell’s poster was recognized based on content, novelty, applicability, and relevance to histotechnology.
One of the key findings of the research revolved around the resilience of the pancreas, even after developing tumors. “This is an important discovery, because insulin production occurs within the pancreas, specifically within clusters of cells known as the islets of Langerhans,” Mones said. “These clusters exhibit remarkable diversity and the tumors which arise therefrom are no less diverse, with some producing insulin while others secrete glucagon and other hormones.”
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