Showcase

Instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation(IASTM) is a form of manual therapy used for musculoskeletal recovery treatment. In this research study, male and female clinicians of varying experience tested two devices linked with software that produce ... d real-time results of the amount of force clinicians applied during different strokes of quantifiable soft tissue manipulation. One device (Q1) applied local force and the second device (Q2) applied dispersive force. Two strokes were used for data collection, a linear stroke, and a curved stroke. The devices were tested in three regions of the body. The thoracic lumbar region, thigh, and calf. The Qware software used in the protocol collected force data regarding the x, y, and z fields. For this project, data from the software was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to see how linear and curve strokes compare in different regions of the body to determine if from the graphs you can determine what stroke the clinician is using. Read more

This project is about collecting the artificial nutrition goals of care conversations. PEGs are provided after a severe stroke to help with nutrition, hydration, and getting medicine down to the stomach. We documented how many patients that received ... a PEG tube had a goals of care conversation prior to placement. Read more

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, yet the origin remains puzzling to many. To indulge in your curiosity, visit my table to learn more about my pivotal project. In doing so, glaucoma is a progressive eye disease t ... hat damages the optic nerve leading to one developing visual loss and blindness. An increase in intraocular pressure is a diagnostic tool and one of the leading risks for glaucoma. The trabecular meshwork is the principal tissue responsible for the regulation of eye pressure. By directing the drainage of fluid out of the eye, its dysfunction is responsible for eye pressure elevation. This irregularity will initiate a resistance of the flow of fluid that will deteriorate the optic nerve. Through the Characterization of Primary Trabecular Meshwork Cells for Downstream Use, one will be able to understand the imperative purpose of trabecular meshwork cells and narrow the knowledge gaps regarding glaucoma today. Read more

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people around the world. Individuals with T1D must monitor their glucose levels constantly and are dependent on daily synthetic insulin injections to maintain blood glucose withi ... n a narrow window. We study the relationship between the development of this disease and biochemical stressors that may be involved in early disease triggering events, specifically those that are associated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. We are particularly interested in early damage to the beta-cells because they naturally secrete insulin. Therefore, in my project I worked to analyze factors related to oxidative stress and the antioxidant response to determine the role they may play in initiation and progression of this devastating disease. Read more

For this project we conducted an online survey through a non-referral based website, accepting applicants that were 18 and older. Then we utilized various demographics and models to analyze the data including socio-demographics, medical history, and ... healthcare access. In order to complete our desired survey respondent count, these surveys were created in small batches where we could continually create and assign qualification codes to respondents to ensure that they didn't complete the survey numerous times. After conducting the survey, we found that it was completed by a majority of White adults with a 4:1 ratio to non-white adults. The survey results showed that IBS is prevalent in both White and non-white adults however there may still be disparities that exist related to healthcare access and satisfaction in IBS. Read more

This research consists of a survey conducted that looks at the residency and fellowship graduates from the IU School of Medicine who plan to practice in Indiana. It identifies factors that affect a graduate's choice in determining where thy would lik ... e to practice. This electronic survey is sent out to all the residents and fellows and looks at demographic characteristics as well as opinions on residency training. My role in this project consisted of looking at each of the 16 department specific reports (DSRs) from 2021 and verifying the data and formulas to ensure an accurate data entry process for the incoming data for 2022. After completing this, I was given the data analysis outputs, so I could enter the information into Excel for each DSR. Once the data was inputted, I verified, that all the information on the reports - including tables, text description, and numerical values - was correct. The findings from this research are used by IUSM leadership to recruit and retain their residents and fellows in the state Read more

There is a lack of interventions to improve cognitive skills/memory/processing skills in cancer survivor patients, hence the ultimate goal of this project is to begin studying what effects neuro-cognitive intervention may have. The project is based o ... n a method known as the Feuerstein method, which really focuses on how individuals learn and explore their cognitive capabilities. Past research has shown that this method has worked in traumatic brain injury, hence its application here. The intervention began with Leukemia survivors because often, there are post-chemotherapy effects on cognition. However the study has now extended to all cancer survivor types. Originally, the end goal was to have 30 recruits with 3 assessments: baseline, after 8 weeks, and after16 weeks. The project has failed to meet its initial goals, however, the investigation team is in the process of working with focus groups to make the interventions more successful to be able to eventually aid as many survivors in developing their cognitive skills. Read more

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are some of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in Indiana. While treatments are readily available for curing these infections, disparities in how and where they are administered exist. This project aims to anal ... yze the disparities in treatment to determine if patients are receiving the CDC recommended treatments and in which setting (public or private) patients are more likely to receive the correct treatment. Data was collected from both private and public hospitals such as the Indiana Department of Health, and Marion County Public Health Department that reported infection cases between 2018-2021 as well as other factors such as age, gender, and location of the affected individuals. Further analysis was conducted on the data to determine the treatment rates stratified by year, age group, sex, and race. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide insight and recommendations that can help public health officials and medical professionals in Indiana develop more effective strategies for treating and preventing these STIs, reducing their impact on individuals and communities in the state. Read more

The Kids Healthcast Podcast is a podcast dedicated to serving parents, teachers, and caregivers who work with children to educate and advocate for their pediatric health. This podcast is facilitated by pediatric residents from the Indiana University ... School of Medicine in Indianapolis. In which they construct topics about pediatric health and include resources that can be reached through online resources or public organizations. Read more

The Hulvershorn lab investigates impulsivity and risky decision-making in adolescents at risk for substance use and HIV. Some factors including high impulsivity and a family history of substance abuse have been identified as predictors for later enga ... gement in high-risk behaviors such as early substance use, development of substance use disorders, and engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors. By developing an understanding of these risk factors, researchers hope to identify populations vulnerable to these risky behaviors. The lab investigates these topics in a sample of 11-12 year old children using a research method known as longitudinal follow-up to track their endorsement and engagement in substance use and sexual behaviors. The children initially undergo an array of behavioral assessments and an fMRI to get a baseline of characteristics of interest. The adolescents then are contacted every six months to track their engagement in substance use and sexual behaviors. Using this data the Hulvershorn lab hopes to better understand what risk factors are associated with risky behavior. With these findings, further research hopes to better identify at-risk children, understand adolescent development, prevent engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors and substance use, and develop evidence-based treatment and prevention protocols targeting adolescent populations. Read more