My Internship
Dementia Lab at IU School of Medicine
Overview
My internship site is the Dementia Lab at the IU School of Medicine. The principal investigators are Dr. Ghetti and Dr. Newell, both of whom are nationally leading neuropathologists with expertise in neurodegenerative diseases Currently my site focuses upon many types of prion diseases and forms of dementia including, Alzheimer's disease. The main focus of the lab is to use neuropathological evidence to confirm diagnoses and research etiology.
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Reasons for choosing the Dementia Lab
For any student of neuroscience one of the the most perplexing neurological diseases to understand are the neurodegenerative diseases. What molecular mechanisms gradually and brutally convert a healthy functioning brain into a mere shadow of what it once was? What factors increase susceptibility to these disease? Is it nature or nurture? These are some of the few questions that plague the mind of neuroscientists and attract students like me to study neuroscience.
Ever since sophomore year of high school, when I was first introduced to the brain and completed a project about Alzheimer's disease, I have been intrigued by neurodegenerative diseases. As I learned more about the brain, the more curious I became about Alzheimer's. This is why I chose to complete my LHSI internship at a site which researches the exact problem which attracted me to neuroscience in the first place.
Apart from the fact that their research matches up perfectly with my interests in neuroscience, the lab is also based on neuropathology. I like the fact, I can research with real human brains as opposed just looking at pictures in a textbook and wondering how the entire structure comes together. I will be introduced to the various fixing, dissecting, staining and analyzing methods used to study neuropathology.
Connection to strengths
I am very detail oriented person and attention to details and great observational skills is a prerequisite for a neuropathology lab. I also like to learn a concept thoroughly as opposed to focusing on a wide variety of concepts and my internship will allow me to do that. Curiosity is another of my strengths which I will undoubtedly need to make my experience more intellectually enriching. I will also be able to build upon my skills as a good team member and communicator as well.