Carmen Veith received NRS Travel Grant

Gordon research conference “NOX Family NADPH oxidases”

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Gordon Research Conference on “NOX family NADPH oxidases” in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. The conference was preceded by a research seminar specifically designed to provide junior scientists a platform for presenting their data and discuss research ideas and challenges among peers. During the seminar, I was invited to give an oral presentation on my current project focused on the involvement of NADPH oxidases in the occurrence of oxidative damage in an in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis. 
In my PhD project, I am studying the involvement of the NADPH oxidases (Nox) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic lung disease associated with high levels of oxidative stress. Within this project, I am especially interested in whether Nox enzymes are the main drivers behind the recently discovered comorbidity of lung cancer within IPF as both diseases are associated with high levels of oxidative stress, leading to oxidative damage.
Attending the conference and actively being involved in the preceding seminar expanded my knowledge regarding NOX biology and gave me some new ideas how to study NOX enzymes in disease pathogenesis. Interesting presentations were given, followed by intriguing discussions, about the best ways to measure and regulate NOX activity and how to interfere using novel techniques. Additionally, it was a great unique opportunity to broaden my scientific network and to create new collaborations during the conference as well as during hikes to enjoy the beautiful landscape in NH.

Carmen Veith