ONE of Bermuda's own is making significant strides in the fight against cancer and he hopes to return home one day to help those in need.

Dr. Sheldon Holder, a doctor of philosophy in Microbiology and Molecular Science, will return to Bermuda next week to give a lecture on targeted cancer therapy, research in which he is heavily involved.

As part of its Corange Science Week, Bermuda College has asked Dr. Holder, who now lives in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to participate.

Dr. Holder, who is currently completing a three-year internal medicine residency at Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre, will speak about how his current research may lead to the future design of smarter cancer treatments.

His work involves identifying an inhibitor of the enzyme PIM-1 kinase that has been implicated in the development of some human cancers, including leukaemia and prostate cancer.

"The inhibitor can be used by scientists to continue to study how PIM-1 is involved in the development of cancer," Dr. Holder explained.

"As we understand more about the processes that lead to and sustain cancer, we can design more effective drugs to treat cancer."

According to Dr. Holder, while the final significance of the indentification of inhibitor of PIM-1 kinase remains to be seen, the finding is compelling.

"In the short term, the inhibitor serves as a starting point for the development of a drug to treat cancers in which PIM-1 is involved," he said.

"The development of such a drug is a long and involved process, and under the best case scenario would result in an approved drug for use by the general public many, many years from now."

Dr. Holder, who was born and raised in Bermuda, was precocious as a child perhaps signalling an early interest in the medical field.

"As a child I was very curious and enjoyed the sciences," he said.

"I found learning about the human body particularly interesting."

His interest led him to pursue a medical career, first attending Oakwood University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Loma Linda University in California where he earned his medical degree and completed his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Science.

"I chose a career in medicine because it allows me to continue to learn about the intricate workings of human body," Dr. Holder explained.

"My curiosity has not waned, and as I learned more about the human body I became interested in cancer. A career in haematology/oncology allows me to continue to investigate the complexities of cancer and the human body on the theoretical level while helping to treat people with the fruits of those labours in practical, real life."

The cancer doctor hasn't slowed down, continuing his training in the residency programme at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre. While some people may only know of residency programmes from what they see on TV, Dr. Holder says that while it's certainly busy ¿ it's not like someone one would see on the popular show ER.

"Residency is extremely busy," he said.

"No other phrase comes more close to an accurate description other than 'extremely busy.' Unfortunately, I have not seen Grey's Anatomy so I cannot comment on its accuracy. I am an internal medicine doctor, so my residency is not much like what people see on ER either. The days are backed full every day. You learn to prioritise to make sure the most important things outside of work get done."

When he returns to the island next week for the lecture on Thursday, he hopes to shed some light on the future of cancer treatment and therapies.

"I hope to convey the fact that there has been a paradigm shift in the way cancer is treated with medications," he said.

"The new drugs that are now available are significantly different from the chemotherapy with which most people are familiar. We can expect today's medications to make treatment more bearable and more effective. We can expect tomorrow's medications be even better."

He is also looking to dispense some career advice to Bermuda College students who may be in attendance at the lecture.

"The only person that can stop you from realising your dreams is you. You determine if you will reach your goals," he said.

"Sometimes your progress will be swift ¿ great. Other times your progress will be slow. This is the nature of progress. Just ensure that you are always moving toward your goal, and feel free to have fun while you make the journey."

Ultimately, Dr. Holder would like to return to Bermuda one day with his wife Dr. Kelly (Darby) Holder, a clinical psychologist, to ply his trade here on the island.

"My ultimate career goal is to return to Bermuda as a haematology/oncology specialist," he said.

"In that capacity I will see and treat patients with cancer and continue to research new ways to treat cancer. I also hope to teach a few classes to what will hopefully be our Bachelor's and Master's degree science students at Bermuda College."

The public forum lecture will take place at the North Hall Lecture Theatre (G301) starting at 6.30 p.m. Dr. Holder will also be conducting a Master Class (12 to 3.30 p.m.) next Thursday as well as a Science Lab Open House (10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the Bermuda College. For more information contact Jeanann Bassett at 236-9000 ext. 4442.