UROP Project

The Effect of BPC-157 on Cancer Cell Growth

Cancer, Recovery, Growth
Research Mentor: Kyle Smith,
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: k.smith@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

Peptides advertised to improve recovery after an injury or increase muscle growth are being increasingly utilized in the general population. By their nature, these peptides influence major growth signaling pathways in cells. This investigation aims to determine whether a common peptide (BPC-157) can influence cancer growth patterns in vitro.

Research Tasks: Literature review, experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required experience working in a laboratory.
Recommended experience in reading and reviewing scientific literature.

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy centers on building independence through structured guidance. I begin by understanding student career goals and current skill level, then assign them ownership of discrete, achievable project components that align with lab priorities; these might include managing cell culture protocols, performing flow cytometry analyses, or conducting literature reviews. I share my own research failures and pivots openly to normalize setbacks as learning opportunities, creating a safe environment where mistakes during technique acquisition are expected and used for growth. Rather than providing answers, I guide them through inquiry-based problem-solving; when data looks unexpected or a protocol fails, we work through troubleshooting together. I balance this independence with regular check-ins to ensure accountability, assess understanding, and adjust the challenge level - pushing them beyond comfort zones while providing support structures. Ultimately, I aim to transform students from task-followers into scientific thinkers who can formulate hypotheses, critically evaluate results, and connect bench work to translational outcomes that matter for human health.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/kyle.smith.7/bibliography/public/