Sept. 24, 2009
By Stephanie Hayes
UCFAthletics.com
UCF cheerleaders, in particular the men, are known for their extraordinary ability to propel the women far above the crowd and successfully ensure their safe landing back into the arms of the bases before returning to their next spectacular stunt. They are known for their appearances at every UCF football and basketball game. They are known for their incredible prowess and athletic ability to perform superhuman feats. Most notably, they are recognized for their ability to dominate at a national level each year and bring that recognition back to a school that loves to support them.
Generally going under the radar, however are the academic achievements of those same cheerleaders. Danny Barrera is one UCF cheerleader who is making as much of an impression outside of the athletic arena as he is within it.
Last spring, Barrera participated in a research experiment involving a specific form of brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme. While working with Dr. Sic L. Chan of the Biomolecular Science Center, Barrera focused on a protein expressed within the tumor associated with this form of cancer. His findings were astonishing.
"When you knock out the expression of this protein in vitro," he says, "it stops the proliferation of the cell. This means the cell stops growing. In a way, you've kind of cured cancer in a disk. We now have to find ways to do that with humans because the methods we use in a disk we can't replicate."
Barrera presented his research in a display entitled "The Roles of Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins in Glioblastoma Multiforme" at the UCF Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence this past spring. He was recognized with an honorable mention, received a scholarship for his findings, and was invited to be published in the UCF Journal of Undergraduate Research.
Currently, Barrera is working on an update to this project which has already been pre-approved for publication nationally in a cancer research journal.
Barrera, a junior at UCF, must manage his time wisely, as this breakthrough research is not the only thing he has on his plate. With a major in molecular microbiology, a minor in sociology, and a full cheer schedule, it becomes apparent that he has a full workload. Barrera is also in the process of applying to medical school with the goal of becoming a physician in the future.
"It's pretty hectic but it's manageable," he says. "You definitely have to focus on studying. You have your cheer time and you have your school time and I try not to mix them both together. The cheerleading schedule is really hectic between games and appearances and practices. We have practices four times a week and we have weight training two times a week so I think the important part is keeping my energy up. I love cheerleading and I love doing what I do."
It is clear that one can expect to see great things from Barrera in the future. With the discipline he clearly possesses in order to balance the many great things he is in the process of doing, there is no doubt that he will be able to utilize his talents in a big way.