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Name: Travis Parke Schrank Year in Program: 7 Undergrad University: Texas State University Mentor: Vince J. Hilser Graduate Program: BMB |
My current research is focused on the relationships between local protein unfolding, function and evolution of enzymes. My clinical research is about the epidemiology of and research methods for studying head and neck cancer.
2005: Blocker Scholarship for academic excellence, UTMB MD/Phd program
2007-2009: NIH Training (T32) Grant: Houston Area Molecular Biophysics Program
2010: Kazko Ari Memorial Award for excellence in biochemistry, UTMB
- Schrank, T.P., Han, Y., Weiss, H. & Resto, V.A. Case-matching analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in racial and ethnic minorities in the United States--possible role for human papillomavirus in survival disparities. Head Neck 33, 45-53 (2011).
- Schrank, T.P., Bolen, D.W. & Hilser, V.J. Rational modulation of conformational fluctuations in adenylate kinase reveals a local unfolding mechanism for allostery and functional adaptation in proteins. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 106, 16984-16989 (2009).
- Schrank, T.P., Elam, W.A., Li, J. & Hilser, V.J. Strategies for the Thermodynamic Characterization of Linked Binding/Local Folding Reactions Within the Native State Application to the LID Domain of Adenylate Kinase from Escherichia coli. Meth. Enzymol 492, 253-282 (2011).
2008: "Finding Local Disorder in the Native State of Adenylate Kianse," 22nd Annual (National) Symposium of the Protein Society, July 19-23. Winner of the student poster competition.
2010: "Direct Calorimetric Determination of Complete Polyproline II (PII) Scale Reveals PII Enhancement in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins " 2010 Annual Meeting, Biophysical Society, Feb 20-24
2010: "Variation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Survival by Race/Ethnicity and Sub-site Reveals Probable Causes for National Disparities" 2010 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, Feb 25-27
I love both the medical and scientific aspects of my program and either can become all consuming. I am also currently excited and frightened to be beginning as a director of the UTMB student run free clinic, St. Vincent's. This clinic is a unique opportunity for students to serve those in need and to apply medical knowledge as they learn it. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, mountaineering and playing music.
