Research
Neuronal Activity & Brain Plasticity
During the summer of 2019, I had the opportunity to do 320 hours of hands-on research with Dr. Jason Askvig, a Concordia College biology professor. Dr. Askvig's research studies the relationship between age, concentration of different cell signaling proteins, and brain plasticity. Laboratory procedures analyzed cell signaling protein concentrations in the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary and their relationship with axonal sprouting. Techniques such as gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis and dual label immunofluorescence were used to determine the levels and localization of certain cell signaling proteins and their coinciding subunits. As a part of the research, I also handled, fed, and cleaned the cages of lab rats, as well as witnessed rat sacrifices and brain surgeries. This research taught me a number of unique procedures, problem solving techniques and ethnicalities, as well as lab efficiency and conservation of materials. Because of these undergraduate research opportunities, I will be more efficient, comfortable, and independent in future lab settings.
Our research was published in the Heliyon Journal in the article titled, Age-Dependent Increase in Thy-1 Protein in the Rat Supraoptic Nucleus by Dr. Jason Askvig et al.
Aspartame
In my literary-analysis-based research done on aspartame’s relationship with lymphoma, I decided to take a chemistry-based approach. I analyzed aspartames safety based on its metabolites. This research challenged me to critically think about the chemistry of nutrition, analyze research articles for their reliability and validity, and connect various sources of information to form a conclusion. I presented my research at Concordia’s Celebration of Student Scholars event and talked to many interested students and faculty.
Analysis of Aspartame and Its Effect on the Human Body (Research Paper)
Analysis of Aspartame and Its Effect on the Human Body (Poster)
During my dietetic internship, I had the opportunity to help a University of Minnesota graduate student prepare for and complete a rat harvest for his thesis. The graduate student was researching the protein quality of wild rice compared to brown rice and was also attempting to determine the large intestinal microbial profile in rats fed wild rice versus brown rice. My involvement included feeding the rats, weighing the rats' intake, weighing the rats' body mass, as well as helping with the rat harvest. During the rat harvest, it was my job to remove the rat colon and cecum and extract the cecal and large intestine contents. I transferred the cecal and large intestine contents into a test tube and placed them on ice so they could later be analyzed for their microorganisms. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to gain lab experience, improve my lab techniques, and learn different lab procedures and policies.
Baking with Fat Substitutes
My partner and I developed a research question, designed the research procedure, and performed a hedonic test using human participants. Sensual properties were examined between regular muffins and muffins made with banana as a fat substitute in a single blind study. Subjects rated the muffins using a hedonic test that evaluated appearance, odor, taste, and mouthfeel between the control and experimental muffins.