Showcase

I'd like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the LHSI program for providing me with this incredible opportunity to grow not just as a student but also as a future researcher. Regarding my experiences in the LHSI program, I worked alongside Dr. Eva-Ku ... rtz Nelson, Angela Paxton, and their team to assist with entering data into the RedCaps database concerning their patients with autism. This internship allowed me to learn a lot about autism, the research process, and data entry. I'll talk about what I've done, what autism is, and how data entry may be used to understand autism better. Data entry allows one to analyze any questions, such as what the diagnosis of autism is between a boy and a girl. Of course, there are certain limitations to examining data on this subject. Read more

Kids Healthcast is a child health-focused podcast hosted by IU pediatric residents. Offering informative discussions on various health topics that interest parents. This year, the podcast has upgraded to new equipment, promising its audience a higher ... quality listening experience. To amplify their reach interns actively manage social media accounts. When episodes are up to date interns have the opportunity to join group sessions at the Community Pediatric rotations. Which allows interns to enrich their professional growth and community connections. Read more

During my internship, I delved into exploring the molecular mechanisms governing skeletal muscle regulation, focusing on the downregulation of ?Klotho in dystrophic muscles and aging. The project aimed to decipher the impact of genetically manipulati ... ng ?Klotho on skeletal muscles, particularly investigating changes in myonuclear concentration in muscle fibers of Klotho mutant mice during the postnatal period. To execute this, I acquired proficiency in various methodologies. Starting with cryosectioning mice quadriceps muscles, the foundational step ensured precise and consistent sections using a cryostat. Subsequent phases involved immunofluorescence histology, leveraging specific markers for enhanced cellular structure understanding, and fluorescence microscopy for high-resolution images crucial for morphological analysis. The final stage employed ImageJ for quantitative data extraction, enabling accurate fiber and nuclei counting. Overcoming challenges with fluorescence antibody labeling through proper controls highlighted the significance of attention to detail and effective communication in research. My contributions extended to using the microscope for fluorescent image analysis and data analysis with ImageJ for nuclei/fiber studies. Collaborative efforts within a diverse team enriched perspectives, fostering creativity and effective problem-solving. These hands-on experiences, coupled with adaptability, form the foundation for future scientific excellence, underscoring the importance of meticulous research practices in academic and career pursuits. Read more

This project is a slideshow detailing what team-based care is and the model the IU Health Primary Care Central Indianapolis - Family Medicine Residency employs in two collaborative care clinics: Buprenorphine Clinic and the Comprehensive Pain Assessm ... ent Clinic (CoPAC). The slideshow reviews clinic flow: huddles, patient care, comprehensive care plans, and the debrief. The clinic's learning environment and specific professions involved in clinic are also included. The goal of this site is to research and optimize team-based care for patients with chronic pain and/or opioid use disorders by incorporating multiple professions into the care of the patient, and view their health from many different lenses, which allow for a thorough evaluation and a comprehensive care plan that benefits the patient. Read more

Amyloid beta peptide, often abbreviated as A?, is a small protein fragment that plays a central role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. To delve into its impact in cell culture, I conducted an experiment using ra ... t Müller cells. The assay involved treating cells with different concentrations of amyloid beta (0 nM, 5 nM, 50 nM, and 500 nM) for 24 hours. Then, a cell staining procedure was conducted with the help of DAPI, a fluorescent dye that binds to DNA, aiding in amyloid beta analysis within cells. Following the staining procedure, imaging was done with the help of a confocal microscope, and images were taken for the different concentrations. This experiment was then conducted three more times in order to ensure accuracy. Finally while observing the images, it was found that there was an increase in the intake of amyloid beta in the cell with an increase in concentration accordingly. This type of assay helps researchers understand how cells interact with and internalize specific substances, providing insights into cellular mechanisms and potential implications for diseases like Alzheimer's, where amyloid beta accumulation is a characteristic feature. Read more

Knee inflammation following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) failure and/or reconstructive surgery in as ongoing issue. Knee inflammation can result in fibrosis and osteoarthritis, both of which contribute to pain and mobility issues. I have been ... working during my internship to evaluate a potential orthobiologic aimed at reducing the inflammatory response post-ACL injury. A human placental-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) allograft has previously been developed and is indicated by the manufacturer for reducing tissue inflammation and accelerated repair. To evaluate the efficacy of this product for reducing post-anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury inflammation, we used a novel murine in vivo ACL injury model. This model has previously been shown to induce significant synovitis, infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) fibrosis, and articular cartilage (AC) degradation within 2 weeks following an ACL injury. We hypothesized that intra-articular injections of the allograft would correspond with a decrease in synovitis, fibrosis, and articular cartilage degradation. Thus far all experiments have been completed. Currently I am working on the histological assessment of the inflammatory state of the knee joint 8-weeks after injury. This includes the pathologic scoring of the severity of synovitis, cartilaginous degradation, and fibrosis. Read more

During this internship, I worked collaboratively with my team on a variety of projects. Each project presented their own challenges, but willingness and openness opened new doors to different opportunities. I worked on projects that aimed to improve ... care through the context of access, experience and outcomes. Then another that aimed to provide women, who face peri-viable delivery, with an effective tool to help better understand care options for both infant and mother. Throughout the projects, I was exposed to new software and acquainted myself with it. I utilized the software frequently and learned new skills that I can put in my belt for future career opportunities. Read more

Osteopetrosis is a rare disease characterized by abnormally dense bone and as a result, causes brittleness and fragility. Types of osteopetrosis can be classified based on severity, inheritance pattern, and age of diagnosis. Autosomal Dominant Osteop ... etrosis Type 2 (ADO2) is the noninfantile form of osteopetrosis manifesting various ranges of severity. Individuals typically suffer pain and fractures but may experience vision and hearing loss in severe cases. This disorder results from the impairment of osteoclast which is one of the two major types of bone cells involved in bone maintenance. Whereas osteoblasts build bone, osteoclasts break down bone. In patients with ADO2, osteoclasts are present, but they are not fully functional. This is mostly due to the mutations in chloride channel 7 (CLC-7), which greatly effects lysosomal trafficking and activity. Disulfiram is a drug that has been shown to enhance bone resorption with enhanced lysosomal secretion. To identify the effects of this drug on ADO2 osteoclasts, we treated cells with 2 doses of Disulfiram and measured osteoclast number, gene expression, and osteoclast function via, TRAP stain, RNA analysis, and Toluidine Blue stain, respectively. These experiments were conducted in hopes of finding a new therapy for patients with ADO2. Read more

Hello, my name is Tyler Sisk, and I have been working under Dr. Nathan Alves for nearly a year now. His research focuses on venous thrombosis, otherwise known as blood clots, and how to develop better ways to treat it. My project will be discussing w ... hat I was learning while working in the lab and what projects I was involved in. I’ll be discussing my initial jobs that I did when first starting to work in the lab, and then work up to the two major projects I was working on: the NanoSight particles and the Chandler Loop. Both were not just me, but I will be discussing the major focus on these projects and what I did in them. Read more

The IUI ECHO Center is working with IU Dentistry, Purdue Pharmacy, and a community partner, Cultivating a Belonging Culture, to help students learn about considerations of the populations they will serve when entering their professional fields. The f ... irst session covers LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity and the second covers Trauma Informed Care. The goal of this project is to determine the effectiveness of a live session compared to a recorded session. Students will watch recorded sessions and attend live sessions, and then fill out a survey to tell us which they thought was most effective for them. My role in this project is to help figure out different ways to get students involved, collect and analyze the data, and finally help interpret results and write a report about what we find. In doing this, I will be learning how to set up a survey and ensure that the questions we are asking will be effective in what we are trying to determine, different methods and types of questions/data that we can collect, how to effectively analyze and understand both qualitative and quantitative data, and then how to write up a report based on the findings. Read more