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Introduction
Throughout my journey as an undergraduate student in the Honors College Program, I have had the opportunity to participate in many different activities and projects. Through the honors contract I completed for my Systems Neuroscience course (NSCI-B 301), experience as a Life-Health Sciences Internship (LHSI) intern, and traveling to Honduras for a medical mission trip, I have developed many competencies necessary for success in any future endeavor. From these opportunities, I have been able to apply complex scientific/medical knowledge and professional communication to real-world experiences, preparing me to become a successful Anesthesiologist Assistant.
Systems Neuroscience (NSCI-B 301) Honors Contract
Systems Neuroscience, which I completed in December 2024, is a course focused on the brain in terms of different systems in the body. Some of the most important topics that were studied included brain rhythms, brain development, learning, memory, motor function, emotion, and more.
Under the guidance of Dr. Czachowski, I was able to complete my honors contract on Huntington's Disease. Specifically, I wrote a paper focused on the history of Huntington's Disease, disease progression and implications, and advancements in treatment. As Dr. Czachowski suggested, I also completed a summary and analysis of the book Inside the O'Brien's by neuroscientist Lisa Genova. This book provided a fictional, yet extremely realistic, representation of a family impacted by Huntington's Disease.
Completing this honors contract allowed me to enhance my written communication skills. I also grew my knowledge of complex neurodegenerative disorders, while enhancing my understanding of the impact medical diagnoses can have on individuals and families. I can use these skills in my future role as an Anesthesiologist Assistant when my patients are dealing with life-changing diagnoses and treatments. In this role, it will be important to empathize with my patients, and having a strong understanding of terminal disorders can allow me to do this better.
Life-Health Sciences Internship
During my sophomore year at IU Indianapolis, I was able to participate in the Life-Health Sciences Internship (LHSI). After undergoing the interview process, I was matched with the Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study (LEADS). As an intern, I learned to prepare testing material, communicated with study participants and my supervisors in a professional manner, observed cognitive testing and imaging, and enhanced my ability to work on collaborative and independent tasks.
By participating in this year-long internship, I learned to work in a professional environment, where strong written and verbal communication was vital for the success of the study. Through observational opportunities, I was able to further my understanding of the decline associated with neurodegenerative disorders. In this case, the disease was Alzheimer's Disease. I remember one specific participant, who happened to be the longest member of the study, struggling to complete the cognitive testing assessment. This moment allowed me to experience first-hand how this disease impacts brain function and routine tasks. From this internship, I have a higher level of professionalism, and strengthened knowledge of neuroscience and medical processes that will allow me to be a better Anesthesiologist Assistant.
Click the picture above to learn more about my LHSI experience!
Medical Mission Trip to Honduras
In August 2025, I assisted a team of medical professionals on a medical mission trip to Honduras. My main tasks involved interacting with patients, organizing and distributing supplies, and supporting the medical professionals with anything they needed. We conducted 4 days of medical brigades, where we traveled to underserved areas of Honduras to provide routine medical and eye care. While assisting in these brigades, I also learned more about the healthcare system in Honduras. Seeing healthcare in another country allowed me to increase my awareness to medical needs in other countries.
Through this trip, I was able to apply many of the concepts I learned in my biology and neuroscience coursework and during my internship. I practiced professionally interacting and empathizing with patients, further enhancing my professionalism and communication skills. This trip was very hands-on and required me to excel in a group setting, enabling me to strengthen my teamwork and collaboration skills.
Overall, this experience allowed me to observe many different types of healthcare professionals providing attentive care to patients who did not have sufficient access to medical care. By participating in this trip, I experienced first-hand what it means to be an effective medical professional.
Reflection
Together, the three experiences described above demonstrate my ability and commitment to applying complex knowledge and professional communication to real-world experiences. These skills are critical for success in my future role as an Anesthesiologist Assistant, as well as any other future opportunities I may receive. In this role, I will need to be able to apply knowledge from my anesthesia coursework, the communication skills I have developed, and other skills I have developed to providing effective care for my patients. Through these experiences, I have been able to practice strategies to implement these skills into all future opportunities, preparing me to start as a student Anesthesiologist Assistant in the fall.
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