Professor adjusts to slower pace, spotlights research
Cody Arant
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: College Life
Life is a little slower in Murray. For Alexey Arkov, that is just perfect.
Arkov earned his doctorate in biology from the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. He performed his doctoral research at the New York University Medical Center.
"I have always been interested in research," Arkov said. "I am especially interested in embryonic development which is how I got to New York. They have a very good program there. In October 2000, I joined the laboratory of Ruth Lehmann to study problems of developmental genetics."
Arkov left New York City because he said he wanted a chance to teach while conducting his research.
He said teaching was a good way to give back.
Arkov said Murray really stood out to him.
"New York is a big place," he said. "It's a little too big, you know? I wanted to come to a smaller community. Murray had everything to offer. It's a nice, small college town. The people are very friendly, the neighborhoods are nice. This is a very family-oriented place, which is important to me."
Now, Arkov teaches molecular genetics at Murray State while conducting research into the molecular mechanisms of early embryonic development, specifically germline cells and stem cells.
"Working with me on my research are five undergraduate students," he said. "We are looking into germline cells, cells which are necessary for the next generation."
Keely Netz, graduate student from Hopkinsville, Ky., works with Arkov on his research.
"I like Arkov," Netz said. "He's an excellent professor and I've really enjoyed working in his lab. We are researching germ cells and their formation in Fruit Flies. These are the cells that eventually become ovaries and testis and so on. Understanding how this process works in fruit flies can help us better understand how it works in humans."
"Germ cells are not stem cells," Netz said. "What the public calls stem cells are the cells that give rise to all other cells in the body. The germ cells have already specified to some extent, and give rise only to reproductive cells."
When Arkov explained his research, he began touching on concepts that quickly became too complicated for a layman to follow. He touched on stem cell research.
"I work to understand the molecular mechanisms behind early embryonic development," Arkov said.
The research is controversial world wide.
"I understand the controversy surrounding stem cell research," Netz said. "I personally believe that it is wrong to destroy fetuses for the stem cells scientists research. However, at this point, there are several other ways to get them. As an example, stem cells can be found by the hundreds in the umbilical cord, and most parents throw that away when the hospital gives it to them. So, I have no problem with the research that is being done into stem cells, so long as it is done without the sacrifice of human life."
Arkov earned his doctorate in biology from the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. He performed his doctoral research at the New York University Medical Center.
"I have always been interested in research," Arkov said. "I am especially interested in embryonic development which is how I got to New York. They have a very good program there. In October 2000, I joined the laboratory of Ruth Lehmann to study problems of developmental genetics."
Arkov left New York City because he said he wanted a chance to teach while conducting his research.
He said teaching was a good way to give back.
Arkov said Murray really stood out to him.
"New York is a big place," he said. "It's a little too big, you know? I wanted to come to a smaller community. Murray had everything to offer. It's a nice, small college town. The people are very friendly, the neighborhoods are nice. This is a very family-oriented place, which is important to me."
Now, Arkov teaches molecular genetics at Murray State while conducting research into the molecular mechanisms of early embryonic development, specifically germline cells and stem cells.
"Working with me on my research are five undergraduate students," he said. "We are looking into germline cells, cells which are necessary for the next generation."
Keely Netz, graduate student from Hopkinsville, Ky., works with Arkov on his research.
"I like Arkov," Netz said. "He's an excellent professor and I've really enjoyed working in his lab. We are researching germ cells and their formation in Fruit Flies. These are the cells that eventually become ovaries and testis and so on. Understanding how this process works in fruit flies can help us better understand how it works in humans."
"Germ cells are not stem cells," Netz said. "What the public calls stem cells are the cells that give rise to all other cells in the body. The germ cells have already specified to some extent, and give rise only to reproductive cells."
When Arkov explained his research, he began touching on concepts that quickly became too complicated for a layman to follow. He touched on stem cell research.
"I work to understand the molecular mechanisms behind early embryonic development," Arkov said.
The research is controversial world wide.
"I understand the controversy surrounding stem cell research," Netz said. "I personally believe that it is wrong to destroy fetuses for the stem cells scientists research. However, at this point, there are several other ways to get them. As an example, stem cells can be found by the hundreds in the umbilical cord, and most parents throw that away when the hospital gives it to them. So, I have no problem with the research that is being done into stem cells, so long as it is done without the sacrifice of human life."
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