Dr. Sylvester received his B.S. degree in biology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, and received postdoctoral training at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Prior to his arrival at ULM, Dr. Sylvester was a faculty member for ten years in the College of Pharmacy at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Dr. Sylvester is an endocrinologist and his research interests have focused on endocrine-dependent diseases, particularly breast cancer. Dr. Sylvester’s laboratory is currently examining the mechanisms mediating the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of tocotrienols, a rare natural form of vitamin E, in breast cancer cells. Dr. Sylvester has maintained an active research program supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute at NIH, American Cancer Society, and American Institute of Cancer Research, and First Tech International Ltd, Louisiana Cancer Foundation, among others. Dr. Sylvester has authored over 140 peer reviewed research publications, 21 book chapters, and has presented more than 154 talks at national and international scientific conferences. Dr. Sylvester was awarded eight teaching awards during the past 24 years.
Our laboratory has been involved in breast cancer research for many years that has focused on developing tocotrienols, a natural form of vitamin E, as a clinical treatment for breast cancer in women. My research will provide information that will determine the potential health benefits of various natural products in the prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer in women. We also received research grants this past year from the Louisiana Cancer Foundation.
