of UNM Faculty of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS) is American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
recently UNM Exercise Science PhD graduate Jeremy Ducharme has just tied for first place for the first time ever. ACSM President’s Cup Competition. The victory took place on May 31 in Denver, Colorado.
Outstanding students from several outstanding laboratories funded by universities across the country were invited to compete against each other and present their research. After competing in a highly competitive process and performing well, Ducharme tied for first place with another student researcher, Northwest Region winner Emily Larson.
“Representing UNM in the President’s Cup competition at the 2023 American College of Sports Medicine National Convention has been a truly memorable experience,” Ducharme said.
UNM is a member of ACSM’s Southwest Branch, which gives Mr. Ducharme the opportunity to submit an extended abstract on his research topic for consideration for eventual entry into the President’s Cup competition (“When muscle contraction is stimulated, soluble membrane-bound TLR4 is regulated, preventing LPS-induced signaling and myotube atrophy in skeletal muscle cells.)
Ducharme studied how exercise affects a specific receptor (TLR4) that is expressed throughout the body and is associated with inflammation and muscle loss. By simulating skeletal muscle contraction in mouse muscle cells, Ducharme found an increase in the soluble version of the receptor (sTLR4). His preliminary studies in humans suggest that 60 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling may also increase sTLR4.
It may seem like a bunch of small, confusing letters, but the UNM researchers discovered a valuable effect on the body. Decreasing TLR4 and increasing sTLR4 could be a potential therapy to reduce inflammation and muscle loss. Ducharme said more research is needed, but the findings could have a positive impact on the development of interventions for conditions related to muscle wasting and inflammation, such as diabetes, sarcopenia and cancer cachexia. ing.
“We believe this is just the beginning of our research on Toll-like receptor 4 and muscle atrophy, and we are excited to advance research in this area,” Ducharme said. “My goal is that one day our research can be applied to people who suffer from muscle wasting and make a difference in their lives.”
Ahead of its national stage, Ducharme had the production scored and judged by the Southwestern ACSM in October 2022 in California. His 10-minute presentation defeated other regional finalists in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
In addition to winning the Gail Butterfield Doctoral Student Award in a graduate student research contest, she was selected to represent Southwestern ACSM in the President’s Cup and received a $1,200 travel award.
Based on his hypothesis, Ducharme conducted additional muscle atrophy experiments and presented them to 11 other regional student representatives at a national competition, eventually winning the top prize with a tie.
ACSM President’s Cup Competition
It wouldn’t have been possible without his advisor, COEHS professor Dr. Mike Dale, he says.
“I owe this to the valuable guidance of the Exercise Science Department, especially my advisor, Dr. Michael Dale. It would have been,” Ducharme said.
“Jeremy’s success has been aided by many great mentors (including the UNM Exercise Science faculty) and fellow students, but most of all his preparation, dedication, hard work and commitment to goals. helped by,” Dale said.
In addition to the prize and the plaque, just a week later, Ducharme announced that the manuscript containing the study had been accepted for publication in the American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, one of the top journals in exercise science. I knew.
“As PhD Chair, I am very pleased to see the quality of Jeremy’s research recognized at the regional and national level,” Dale said. “Louis Pasteur, the great scientist of the 19th century”th The century has left us with the saying, “In the realm of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.” Jeremy Ducharme started his dissertation project “ready to go”, which I believe contributed to the great success of his dissertation project. ”
These achievements led to Ducharme’s successful thesis defense and a full-time job offer as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida.
“I would like to continue to dive into the world of muscle physiology and began working as a postdoctoral fellow studying cancer-induced muscle loss (cancer cachexia) under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Judge at the University of Florida. ‘, said Ducharme.
