Meet Dene Betz
Major: Neuroscience
Graduation Year: May 2017 Field of Study: Neurology and Neurotherapeutics Abstract: Stroke is a devastating event with long term functional deficits. Many stokes affect the somatosensory cortex, causing specific deficits that never fully recover. Modulating plasticity after stroke is crucial to improving current therapeutic methods because it significantly potentiates recovery closer to the baseline function. Cholinergic pathways are known to modulate plasticity in many different modalities. If the cholinergic system itself is damaged or modified by stroke, it could hold important implications for stroke recovery. We hypothesize that the cholinergic projections from the NB undergo changes in axonal density and distribution after stroke. Methods: For three weeks, 18 mice that transgenically express channel rhodopsin 2 (ChR2+) and Cre on cholinergic neurons were exposed to an environment conducive to motor activity (MACE). Next, they were separated into either stroke (test) or sham (control) conditions, followed by induction of a precise and reproducible stroke model called Photothrombotic stroke (PT). PT was induced after injection of a photosensitive clotting dye in the blood, that, when exposed to the 561nm light, formed clots that would obstruct blood flow to the regions exposed to the light. In our experiment, we aimed the light on the area of the skull directly above the forelimb representation of the motor cortex. This induced a cortical stroke in the region that affects the right forepaw. Behavioral function was measured as a confirmation of deficit and recovery. Exposure to MACE was also continued throughout the project to ensure opportunities for motor activity. Evolution of cholinergic projections were determined by sacrificing and perfusing individually at day 3, week 2, and week 4 post-stroke. Determination of the optimal methods for visualizing diffuse cholinergic projections from the NB are in progress. |
My Experience:
The Green Fellowship has gone far beyond impacting my career in exposing me to the skills, subject matter, and environment involved in research. It has shown me the environments I thrive in both intellectually and personally. What makes this program so unique is the fact that a student gets an opportunity that is so rare for an undergraduate: a full-time research experience. Now, there may be other ways to be in a "full-time" research position, but what separates the Green Fellowship is alleviating the burden of credit hours and even giving a gracious cash stipend that allows the student to have an experience unparalleled in similarity to the graduate experience. The purpose of these aspects of the fellowship allow students to really focus on their research, rather than try to balance two or more different worlds, similar to the idea of a graduate program. I believe there have been at least five times throughout this experience where I have "discovered" myself, only to find myself rediscovering this self shortly after, similar to the scientific process. After being exposed to this training of thought, self-discipline, and curiosity, I know I could never leave. This has given me a very helpful tool of direction and a map to my passions. |
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After being exposed to this training of thought, self-discipline, and curiosity, I know I could never leave. This has given me a very helpful tool of direction and a map to my passions.
My Advice:
My advice is to be open about this experience. Don't go in expecting anything, because it is different for every person. Research is different for every person. You may not think your lab specifically fits your interest at first, but you can make it fit. Similarly, you may think your lab fits you perfectly, change your mind, but again, you can make it work. Don't be satisfied with checking off what you were supposed to have done. Question directions you are given, and even when you're told you are wrong. It can be intimidating, sure, but remember everything is this field is a learning process, and the way to take advantage of it and learn the most is by putting yourself out there. |