Research Department: Neurology and Neurotherapeutics
Graduation Date: Spring 2020
Abstract: Astrocytes are a type of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). After CNS injury, they undergo changes in a process called reactive astrogliosis. How astrocyte reactivity impacts CNS repair remains to be understood. Using experimental stroke model in mice, we seek to determine the effects of astrogliosis on recovery after stroke. Stroke occurs when the blood supply to a region of the brain is compromised, often resulting in motor deficits. By comparing neuroprotection and motor recovery among mice genetically modified to exhibit low versus high levels of astrogliosis, we hope to gain a better understanding of the role astrogliosis has on post-stroke neurorepair. Current interventions to facilitate motor recovery after stroke are limited to physical therapy, making cell-based therapy an exciting direction of stroke research. By determining the effects of neural cells, including astrocytes, on neurorepair, we hope to devise cell-based interventions that translate to treating stroke patients in the future. Email:[email protected]
What does research mean to you? Research is the opportunity to challenge yourself and investigate ideas and topics that are of interest to you. Research can be both challenging and difficult. A project can take months and at the end, you could find out that your results aren’t what you hoped for. That’s the great thing about it! Research gives you the opportunity to indulge your curiosity and determine for yourself why the things you know to be true are true. You develop a mindset that allows you to not only question, but answer many of the questions that pop in your mind as you go through your education. Research has made me more sure of my understanding of many topics in science and the Green Fellowship has cemented my interest in a career in research.
Tell us about your journey. My journey in research began my sophomore year when I joined the Healthy Families Project lab under the direction of Dr. Shayla Holub. It was here that I got a preliminary glimpse of lab life and how the day to day work done in a lab contributes to the overall goal of the project. This experience proved to be invaluable to me because it pushed me to join the Green Fellowship. This program is unique in that it allows you to devote a period of your life solely to research and understanding your project. You don’t have to balance school and extracurriculars during this time. You can focus on one thing: Learning. During my time in the program, I was met with many obstacles and challenges in my project, but I always felt that I had a great team of mentors to help me address them. I wasn’t given the answer, but rather the tools and advice needed to overcome them. Going forward, I plan on pursuing a career as a physician scientist and working towards solving problems that I observe at the bedside throughout my career as a physician. I am thankful for the program for giving me the independence to grow in my understanding of basic science research.
Advice for Future GreenFellows
Know when to ask for help, but also learn how to solve problems on your own. Throughout all of your education, you are growing to be a more able scientist. There is definitely a balance between the two and if you’re not sure whether you should ask for help…ask for help. Think of this program as your first day of Graduate education. Consider how what you are learning will help you in the future. Whether its reading papers or understanding how an experiment works, take the time to learn as much as you can from everything.