Impactful research is taking place at NDSU every day, including research investigating ways to combat the effects of cancer.
Prior to attending NDSU, Preetham Ravi, a doctoral student in materials and nanotechnology, didn’t know exactly what research he wanted to pursue. In 2019, Ravi started his doctorate degree, which was when he first learned more about ongoing research investigating plant extracts and their use as therapies for bone metastasis breast cancer.
Since 2020, breast cancer has been the most common occurring type of cancer, with nearly 2.26 million cases being diagnosed. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, only behind lung cancer. Once breast cancer gets to a certain stage, it starts to spread in the body, including to the bone and bone marrow. This stage is known as metastasis. Once breast cancer reaches this stage, the survival rate significantly drops for the patient.
Ravi said there currently is a shortage of effective therapeutics for bone metastatic breast cancer due to the reported efficacy of commercialized drugs based on primary site cancer data. Therapies are needed not only to treat the tumor, but to also heal bone with limited side effects. Ravi’s research looks at the use of three plant extracts; cranberry, oregano and rose as cancer therapies.
The three extracts carry several health benefits and have already been tested against primary-site breast cancer.
“These extracts have been used in various cultures for hundreds of years,” Ravi said. “They have protective benefits, are anti-inflammatory and have antioxidants. They’ve been used in our common diets and they’re known to be good for us, but what we don’t know is are they good for treating or protecting?”
To accurately assess the effectiveness of these plant extracts, Ravi and his team utilize a 3D in vitro bone-metastatic testbed, which is cultured with human breast cancer cells. So far, the research has shown that these extracts are effective in killing the cancer cells without being harmful to bone cells.
The research team working on the study is made up of people across campus in various academic disciplines. Ravi said the interdisciplinary research environment at NDSU has helped him develop into a versatile researcher.
“I’m a big believer that if you stick with one thing and you take your information from one source, they kind of become stale and unimagined. But when you have the opportunity to work with somebody from biological sciences or plant sciences, that’s a vast reservoir of information that can help you. Your creativity and imagination exceed the ceiling,” he said. “I love the environment. I love the people I’ve worked with.”
Before coming to campus, Ravi was doubtful of his full potential and unsure of how to express his creativity. Getting involved in research at NDSU has shaped the person he is today.
“It’s changed me both professionally and personally. When I came here, I was scared, I was timid and I didn’t have a passion for anything,” said Ravi, who is from Boston, Massachusetts. “It gave me an identity and changed me from someone who was scared and timid to outgoing and passionate. Along the way it’s given me a dream to pursue.”
Among Ravi’s mentors are Kalpana Katti, NDSU University Distinguished Professor in civil, construction and environmental engineering, and Dinesh Katti, NDSU Jordan A. Engberg Presidential Professor in civil, construction and environmental engineering. Both are Ravi’s advisors and have helped build up his confidence.
“They pushed me and I needed that because I didn’t get to where I am without these two,” he said.
Ravi has become a leader in the lab by teaching and passing along advice to other students.
“The underrated thing that you don’t really think about in graduate school is the mentorship and leadership opportunities that you get the privilege to have and the opportunities to work with different graduate students, undergraduate students and high school students,” he said.
As he nears completion of his doctorate degree, the opportunities are vast for Ravi who is still figuring out what he wants to chase next, though he knows he wants to continue being involved in research.
Ravi’s advice for fellow graduate candidates is to know that you can achieve your dreams if you take pride in your work and are dedicated to what you’re pursuing.
For those wanting to become involved in research, Ravi said there’s no better place than NDSU.
“There’s a lot of great research going on here, a lot of great faculty here. The resources are here,” Ravi said. “There are many graduate students that you can talk to and they’ll understand your situation. You’re never going to stand alone.
“It’s kind of a blank canvas. You’ve got all the colors and paint and stuff. Make your own art.”
To learn more about Ravi’s story, check out NDSU’s official YouTube channel.
Apply now to achieve your full potential or schedule a tour to see what we have to offer.
