Sophia Bonar, M.S., a Ph.D. candidate and lab manager of Oregon State University College of Pharmacy's Ishmael Lab, has spent her life driven by curiosity. Bonar's research in Dr. Jane Ishmael’s lab focuses on pharmaceutical natural product medicine and pre-clinical evaluation of substances that could be used to help fight cancer.
Bonar's father was a biologist, and his father was a biologist, too. Growing up, Bonar would hike with them near her hometown of Tucson, Ariz. Bonar's father fondly recalls her pointing out plant species and identifying constellations in the desert's night sky. Thanks to Tucson's planetarium, she had become fascinated with the stars. Each year, between frequent visits to the museum and planetarium, Bonar was encouraged to participate in her school's science fair. "I grew up in a very science-forward environment," she explained.
This led to a flurry of research interests during her undergraduate studies. She entered college determined to be a marine biologist but soon turned to astrochemistry. While completing her degree in chemistry, a lecture caught her attention: A short introductory lecture on the chemistry of mind-altering drugs. Enthralled, she joined a lab performing medicinal chemistry research.
She began her anti-cancer research focus, trying to optimize the structure of a molecule to make it more effective in certain cancer therapies. When she graduated, something still left her curious. She wanted to understand the biological side to this equation; to see the actual effects of this compound she had worked on synthesizing. Thus, like her father and grandfather before him, she turned to biology.
Bonar's research at OSU began with identifying the bioactive compounds of a natural product that could induce stress in a cancer cell’s Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). “The ER is incredibly important in protein synthesis and secretion, and ER stress can inhibit this process,” Bonar explained. Her next project involved determining the mechanisms of action of natural products within their first few hours of treatment in different cancer cells.
Today, Bonar studies natural product compounds from the Ophiocordyceps fungus that could be used to help fight cancer. She is quick to clarify, "Many think I’m focusing on niche herbal supplements to cure cancer or something. But natural product medicines are so widely used. Aspirin is a natural product. The cancer drug Paclitaxel is a natural product." Natural products, in these terms, are simply any chemical produced by living organisms that aren't essential for their survival, growth, or reproduction, but still provide a competitive advantage for the organism. Other natural product examples include caffeine, cannabinoids, and menthol.
The compounds studied in the Ishmael lab are rare. In fact, some are only researched there. "I think continuing to develop cancer therapies to be safer and more personalized to the patient is the future of this field," Bonar explained. To put things into further perspective, she explained, "even if nothing I work on ever makes it into the clinic, studying the mechanism by which compounds effectively kill cancer cells is incredibly informative for developing new drugs that may become commercially available." The Ishmael Lab's research on natural products is an example of the efforts of so many researchers fighting cancer today. Each plays a role in advancing cancer-fighting research.
Her lab's research, in tandem with the work being done by the College of Pharmacy's Center for Innovative Drug Delivery and Imaging (CIDDI), could one day enable the development of a new anti-cancer drug candidate.
Bonar's experience was made possible by the NIH T32 Grant and a passionate group of OSU College of Pharmacy faculty. The NIH T32 Grant is a training grant intended to enhance training opportunities for pre- and postdoctoral fellows. It provides a stipend to students and covers some conference travel costs. Another benefit of the T32 is monthly meetings with extra instruction on how to write grants, submit fellowship applications, and more.
Jane Ishmael, Ph.D., Bonar's advisor and head of the Ishmael lab, has consistently encouraged her to continue practicing chemistry while also developing her biology-focused research. A host of other committee members, faculty, and staff also worked to help Bonar find success. Through their care, coordination, and support, she has felt cared for and prepared for her next career steps.
After defending her doctoral thesis this December, Bonar plans on continuing her cancer research. She is currently hoping to find work in either an industry R&D or clinical setting.
To learn more about the College of Pharmacy's Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Program, visit https://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu/research/pharmaceutical-sciences.