Scientist Spotlight #6

 We will next move on to bone physiology and will begin our studies by getting to know the work of Mercedes Lopez, a Principal Investigator at the National Polytechnic Institute in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Her research focuses on how naturally occurring chemicals from agave plants (seen in picture with Dr. Lopez) impact human health.  Agave is probably most famously known as the type of plant used in the production of tequila and agave nectar is often used as a sweetener.  In 2014, Dr. Lopez coauthored a study titled Agave Fructans: Their Effect on Mineral Absorption and Bone Mineral Content.  In the summer of 2017, this article was covered by a science news website and the story was subsequently picked up by numerous newspapers and television stations across the country.

1) Please click here
Download click here to read a summary of Dr. Lopez's fascinating path to her current position, which begins... “Mercedes, you cannot learn English and Science at the same time.”  “Guess what? My family had very little, I was the first in my family to ever study outside of Mexico, I am dyslexic, and I DID IT.”

2) Then, click here Links to an external site. to read the science news article that set off a storm of publicity around Dr. Lopez's work.

3) Finally, please briefly review the abstract of the research article

Links to an external site..

After reviewing these resources, write a 250 word or more reflection with your responses. You might wish to discuss any or all of the following topics:

1)   What was most interesting or most confusing about the these resources?

2)   What can you learn from these resources about bone homeostasis and the chemicals important to bone physiology?

3)   What do these resources tell you about the types of people that do science?

4)   What new questions do you have after reviewing these resources?