The competing researchers covered such projects as listening to cancer cells, observing proteins in their natural habitat and detoxifying manure by pasteurizing it. But Jonathan Butcher, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, did the best job explaining his work, on 3D X-rays, at Cornell's Third Annual Public Engagement and Science Communication Symposium, May 12.

For his efforts, which were judged by such community members as local high school and community college students, grocery chain executives, bankers and pharmaceutical executives, Butcher reaped a $10,000 grant-extension award at the event, held in G-10 Biotechnology Building. In the judges' view, Butcher did the best job communicating in clear language to a lay audience his research, "Virtual Reality of Living Science Made Possible Through Micro-Computer Tomography," conducted with research technician Mark Riccio and GE Healthcare.

The work shows how two-dimensional X-rays could be transformed into 3D images to peer into plants, animals and machines to find hidden tumors or broken mechanisms. "We have worked to develop and implement the next generation micro-CT system, which can now image so much more than just bone," says Butcher. "It is 10 times faster than the currently available systems, which means less X-ray dose for the same quality image and many, many more images that can be taken."

Cynthia Reinhart-King, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, won second place and $1,000 for her work, "Light: Strong Enough to Stop a Speeding Cell," conducted with David Erickson, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and graduate students Casey Kraning and Joseph Califano.

"We are developing a novel device to use light to trap cells and measure the forces they exert during migration," explains Reinhart-King. "If our hypothesis that metastasis cells are stronger is correct, then the device would predict metastasis depending on tumor cell strength." It is estimated that 90 percent of the 8 million cancer-related deaths in this country are due to metastasis, yet no medical procedure can now determine or predict if a tumor will metastasize.

The competition highlighted faculty research funded by the Center for Life Science Enterprise, a NYSTAR-designated Center for Advanced Technology. The symposium included a faculty research poster showcase and displays, a panel discussion on science commercialization and communication, and a keynote address by Rohit Shukla, CEO of the Larta Institute, on the commercialization of breakthrough technology and the success of innovative companies.

The panel discussion and keynote will be broadcast on CornellCast.