Successes

I have felt quite successful in the proficiency and confidence I have gained in performing Western Blots: something I had no prior experience with. My lab manager trained me and was very helpful in answering my questions and giving me pointers to improve my technique; additionally, she suggested I take the Western Blot University: Principles, Techniques, and Resources course modules from Bio-Rad to understand how and why Western Blots are used - I am not finished with the course yet but plan to work on it when I can.

In February 2024, after being cleared to work with animals in research, I was able to perform a denervation surgery under the supervision of DDS Candidate Mohamad Okab. He was able to show me how to administer the appropriate analgesic and anesthetic dosages for the mouse. After confirming the mouse was sedated, we placed the mouse on a heating pad to prevent hypothermia. When operating on the right hind leg, I was shown how to shave the fur, feel the bones to know where to make an incision, how to open the wound, what the sciatic nerve looked like, and suturing the wound. It took me about 30 minutes from start to finish, but Mohamad had said that I did well for my first time. 

Challenges

The most challenging part of my experience in Dr. Walker's lab has been understanding and applying knowledge from ALS research to what is being done in his lab, particularly how proteins such as CTMP (carboxy-terminator modular protein) can regulate protein kinases such as phosphorylated AKT or AKT (protein kinase B). In past conversations, I have asked Dr. Walker to explain the mechanisms that lead to the progression of ALS, which has helped. I have already started compiling a Word document of research papers that Dr. Walker suggested I read; from there, I will come to him with additional questions as well as ask about other literature I could read.

One thing that I personally struggle with is how uncomfortable it can make me feel to work with animals. I struggle with the fact that the animals may endure pain throughout the procedures they go through, even with having adequate training/supervision on these areas: procedure itself, how to conduct animal research in general, and reducing pain/distress in animals. I feel that this uncomfortable feeling comes from not doing any animal work prior to this internship. To work through this feeling, I will continue to ask for guidance and reassurance from those who have been working much longer with animals.