PhD student Dr. Jimena Yapura's presentation and poster, "Treatment with aromatase inhibitor affects pre-ovulatory ovarian follicles in cattle," captured first place in the student competition at the International Embryo Transfer Society conference.
"Participating in this student competition was one of the highlights of my post-graduate experience," says Yapura, who travelled to Phoenix, Ariz., for the conference. "It was great to have the chance to speak in the international conference, to be recognized by my peers and future colleagues and to meet with so many other fellow graduate students."
Yapura's results are significant to animal reproduction research and provide the impetus for the next phase of her research – experiments testing the use of an intravaginal device as a means of administering an aromatase inhibitor.
Currently the only student investigating this specific topic, Yapura works closely with a core group of reproduction experts at the WCVM. Along with her graduate supervisor Dr. Gregg Adams from the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, the research team includes Dr. Reuben Mapletoft from the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Dr. Jaswant Singh from the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences.
She also collaborates with researchers and graduate students from the University of Saskatchewan's Reproductive Science and Medicine Group. Mainly based in the WCVM, the group includes members from several U of S colleges including the Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine.
Yapura graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Argentina's Catholic University of Cordoba before coming to the WCVM in 2006. She earned a Master of Science degree in 2009 and plans to complete a PhD in reproductive science and medicine by the end of 2012.
The IETS is an organization dedicated to furthering the science of animal embryo transfer by fostering the exchange of information among scientists, educators, students, drug and equipment suppliers, livestock breeders, practitioners and regulatory officials.
Although Yapura had previously attended and presented posters at the IETS conference, this was her first time participating in the student competition.
"I love attending IETS meetings because it's a chance to meet with very prestigious researchers from all over the world," says Yapura. "All graduate students should take part in these competitions when they have a chance, and I'd like to encourage supervisors to support their students' participation in conferences and other meetings. It really does make a difference at the end of our graduate training."
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