Life-Health Sciences Internship (LHSI)
Project Summary
Approximately 5% of people with Alzheimer's Disease will present symptoms before the age of 65. The LEADS (Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study) conducts critical research in participants with Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD), which is significantly understudied compared to Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD). This study has 20 sites across the United States that are essential in understanding critical differences between EOAD, LOAD, and Cognitively Normal participants. Neurodegeneration of the brain occurs differently in each situation, and studying the differences is essential to establishing proper therapies and treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. One main way to study this disease is through cognitive testing. There are many different forms of cognitive testing that target deficits in language, attention, memory, vision, understanding, and more. Through this internship, my overall understanding of neurodegenerative cognitive testing grew significantly. I also developed many transferable skills that I can incorporate into my future career endeavors.
About the Internship
The LEADS (Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study) conducts critical research in participants with Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD), and has approximately 20 sites across the United States. The principal investigator for this site is Dr. Liana Apostolova. The purpose of this study is to conduct research on a group that is typically understudied. Many people with EOAD are understudied because most treatments and studies only apply to Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, or LOAD. However, there are significant differences between EOAD and LOAD, and one of the main goals of this study is to compare those differences. In this study, EOAD participants will be compared to LOAD participants. EOAD participants will also be compared to participants who are determined to be Clinically Normal Participants, or CN, to understand this disease more effectively.
Workplace
Strengths as a Team Member:
When taught how to do something, I am a quick learner and can replicate the process relative quickly.
I am not afraid to ask questions because that is how I learn best in a work, professional, and school environment.
I have always been a hard worker. I am able to manage my school work, internship, jobs, and personal life because I am dedicated to whatever opportunities I am given.
I have always worked well in groups/teams. I have also grown through my experiences as a tour guide, mentor, and other professional environments that involved collaboration. I always do my best to allow others to be heard and contribute to the situation.
As an intern, I have worked hard to communicate with my supervisor can complete any tasks expected of me. As the semester progressed, I was able to work more independently on tasks rather than with my supervisor.
Professional Growth:
I want to further my connections in this field. This internship has allowed me to meet people that work for the IU School of Medicine, and who conduct research for Indiana University. I will be working with supervisors, and other interns, during my time at this site. I want to continue growing in my ability to collaborate in a professional environment.
My goal is to further my understanding of conducting research, and all of the processes that are involved to protect the safety of participants.
Through this internship, I hope to learn more about the many functions of the brain, and how they are impacted through specific markers of EOAD. I will be able to shadow procedures, imaging, and learn about the impacts of this disease.
This internship has allowed me to grow in many different aspects of professional development. I was able to make connections with other staff members in the Neurology Department that have allowed me to learn more about the cognitive testing process and it's significance in the research process. This networking experience allowed me to increase my communication skills, and have more opportunities and pathways opened to me.
Contributions:
Although my site tasks may seem small, I was able to contribute to the success and outcome of this research study. I spent a lot of time creating participant binders, quality controlling documents, transferring charts, and more. Completing these tasks allowed the coordinators to have more time to conduct cognitive tests, take participants to imaging, and more. When not completing these tasks, I was able to shadow many different cognitive tests that allowed me to interact with participants and learn more about the neurodegenerative disease as a whole.
Teamwork:
Working with other individuals, including coordinators and other interns, has allowed me to recognize many differences in the work environment. Most of the staff have different schedules that are very different than mine, making it more difficult to shadow and communicate with some of them. This specific work environment also had a very different pace than the one I am used to. Typically, there are 1-2 participants a day. This allowed me to experience a slower paced environment than the doctor's office I am used to. Being able to shadow at my site, and another neurodegenerative site nearby, allowed me to experience different methods of conducting research. This allowed me to combine each perspective to get the most out of this experience. Working with both sites allowed me to have a better understanding of the work I was completing, which contributed to the overall success and outcome of the research.
Successes/Challenges
Successes:
This year I have successfully shadowed cognitive testing. I have learned what specific tests target in the brain; specifically, relating to language, understanding, vision, memory, and attention. This has helped me to understand the overall disease progression and outcomes of Alzheimer's disease, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Each disease progresses differently in each participant, which has been extremely interesting to learn throughout this internship year. This information can also be applied to future opportunities, especially if I continue in the field of Neurology.
Challenges:
The most challenging thing about this internship has been scheduling. My schedule limits me to two days a week, and sometimes there are no participants in that day or time. This has made it more difficult to shadow throughout the semester. Working with my supervisor, and the other site, I have been able to 'schedule' shadowing in advance. This has allowed me to learn and experience more at these sites. It has also enhanced my organizational skills and ability to coordinate/communicate with professional staff members, which will be transferrable to any job or professional opportunity in the future.
Goals
Internship Goals
Develop skill competencies for participating in research processes
Beginning of Internship: This goal will allow me to participate in other research opportunities in the future because I will already have experience. I will understand the processes that goes into conducting research and many of the tasks/responsibilities that go along with it
Tasks: create/prepare binders for the study, source document uploads, IADC chart transfer quality control, QA projects
End of internship: This internship has allowed me to understand the complex details and requirements necessary for conducting proper research. I have learned many things about the behind-the-scenes processes, and have contributed to the documentation process.
Expand oral and written communication skills, as well as professionalism in the workplace
Beginning of Internship: This goal fits into my career because it will be useful in any future job, internship, or any professional experience I may have in the future. I will need to be effective in all of these areas when in a professional medical, clinical, lab, or other work environment.
Tasks: 1:1 meeting with supervisor, group meetings -- with supervisor and other interns. Taking responsibility for tasks in the office -- mark which project I am working on via teams
End of Internship: I have grown in my ability to communicate professionally with many different people in this research study, as well as outside of this specific study. I have been connected with staff on other research studies, which has opened many more doors for me in the research field.
Understanding the complexities of Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders
Beginning of Internship: In the future, I am interested in becoming a Neurologist. This goal will help me in the career field I want to enter because I will have a better understanding of the brain and diseases that cause it to deteriorate
Tasks: reading/analyzing the protocol, shadowing important study procedures (such as participant interactions - verbal and written tests, neuroimaging techniques), and shadowing consensus meetings
End of Internship: Through this internship, I have learned a lot about cognitive testing for different types of neurodegenerative disorders -- not limited to Alzheimer's disease. This has helped me understand the brain as a complex organ, and will be applicable for medical school/research opportunities in the future.
Career/Academic/Professional Goals
Attend Medical School/Professional School
In the future, I want to become either an Anesthesiologist or a Neurologist. I am unsure of which one at this time, but this internship will allow me to explore the field of Neurology and Neurodegenerative Disorders. This internship will allow me to better understand if I want to consider doing research in the future, or focus on patient care.
End of Internship: This experience has allowed me to realize that I really want a career where I interact with patients. This internship did not give me a lot of opportunities to interact with the participants because I was doing a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. In the future, I want a career that allows me to get to know my patients, so I will most likely stay away from research and focus on clinical care.
The medical field continues to change, and there are so many different career opportunities. For example, I have explored becoming a Physician's Assistant, Certified Anesthesiology Assistant, and other opportunities. However, I currently I plan to attend medical school and become a physician.
End of Internship: This internship has allowed me to meet many people who are participating in research, but not as a physician. There are so many different occupations that contribute to this study, and it has changed my perspective. Not everyone has to be a doctor to help people with medical disorders/diagnoses. I have been able to see other potential career opportunities, but I am still considering the medical field.
Although I may be unsure of the entire career path I will take, I am certain that I want to pursue a career in the medical field. I have always had a passion for helping others, and pursuing a career in medicine will allow me to continue following my passion. I will shadow different members of this study to understand the other types of roles that play into this research study. It will help me further determine what career I may want to pursue in the future.
End of Internship: Shadowing the clinicians and coordinators made me realize that I want to interact with patients and not do as much of the behind-the-scenes work, which is why I am leading more towards medical school rather than a PhD program.
Travel: Medical Mission Trips
In the future, I want to be able to learn more about other health care systems and cultures. I plan to do this through medical mission trips. I want to help communities who do not have proper access to health care. My local church does mission trips to many different countries, and I want to continue serving communities through medical mission trips.
End of Internship: This semester I had the opportunity to do a study abroad trip to Costa Rica that was focused on sustainability and the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals. I realized how I want to continue traveling and learning about other cultures. I want to continue reaching for my goal of providing better medical care to communities that do not have access to it.
Learning
Current Skills
Communication - This internship requires strong communication skills. I communicate with my supervisors, current/past interns, and other research personnel. This requires strong etiquette with in-person conversations, email conversations, etc.. Since starting my internship in the fall, I feel confident in my communication abilities in a variety of different circumstances.
Teamwork - Many tasks at this internship are independent. Before I was fully trained, I communicated with a past LHSI intern at my site to learn how to do assigned tasks. This required strong communication and teamwork to make sure I am trained properly. To this day, I do my best to ask questions when confused, so that I can continue to grow. As the internship is coming to an end, I am confident in my abilities to complete tasks independently with little assistance.
Independence - I always try my best to do my work independently. However, some participant cases may be unique, which requires me to continue asking questions when needed. In most cases, I am able to independently complete tasks.
Skills to Grow
Integration and Application - I would like to continue growing in my ability to apply past knowledge to certain experiences at this site. I will use the knowledge I know about Neurodegenerative Diseases to further understand the research at this site. I will continue to listen and learn the outcomes of the research conducted at this site to integrate all of the information I have learned.
Since starting my internship, I have been connected to another site that focuses on cognitive testing for a myriad of neurodegenerative disorders. Through this other site, I have been able to understand deficits in the brain that result from neurodegenerative disorders. I will continue to learn more and more about the brain through this site.
Internship Goals - As I continue this internship, I want to continue working towards my goals at this site. To grow this skill, I will continue to evaluate and reflect on my progress. If necessary, I will also adjust any goals to reflect my learning experience.
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what I have gotten out of this internship. I still want to continue growing in many of my internship goals, so I will continue seeking out other internship/research opportunities.
Strength Building
As an intern, I continue to build on my strengths through strong communication, teamwork, networking, and independence skills. I am always motivated to learn something new when at my site, which will allow me to continue growing as an intern, student, and for whatever career path I choose. I always ask questions when I do not understand something, to further my understanding of the tasks or information being presented.
Deeper Understanding
This internship has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the brain and its functions. I am currently a Biology and Neuroscience major. This internship has allowed me to learn more about neurodegenerative diseases (specifically Alzheimer's) and cognitive testing, which relates to courses I have taken for both of my majors. Specifically, the information I have been exposed to in this internship has been similar to what I have learned in my neuroscience course this past semester.
