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Research Description
Anterior cruciate ligament injury is quite prevalent in the United States. About every 1 in 3,000 people suffer from an ACL injury in their lifetime, and approximately 95,000 new incidences of ACL injury occur each year. A large amount of these injuries occurs during sports which involve twisting, cutting, jumping and deceleration. The mechanisms that can cause an ACL injury are excessive valgus (lateral side of knee) stress, forced hyperextension, or forced external rotation of the femur on the fixed tibia. Many associate the tearing of the ACL with a large impact or collision, however 80% of all ACL injuries are non-contact injuries. This shows that ACL injuries are mostly caused by individuals themselves as opposed to an opponent or other person. In my internship I will be assisting Dr. Stephen Schlecht and his team in their research on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These studies include the ACL's development, function and response to loading. We use a basic, translational, and clinical research approach to improve preventative injury diagnostics and implement our findings on mice or human cadavers. While also, improving ACL reconstruction outcomes in the young population. One the left-hand side, you can view our lab's website page with more detailed information regarding the research.
Working LHSI poster.pdfRoufa_Hanna_ ACL Injury Poster 2025 Final - Copy.pdfRoufa Hanna-UROP_ CTM Poster 2024.pdf
Learning and Skills
From this internship, I hope to learn more about the type of career I would like to pursue in the future. For a long time, I have considered both a Ph.D. and a DPT as potential paths, but I’ve also thought about a combined Ph.D./DPT program that merges both fields. During my internship at the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health at the Indiana University School of Medicine, I have the opportunity to observe my mentor’s work style and understand why he chose his career path, helping me determine whether obtaining a Ph.D. is the right fit for me.
My contributions at this internship have allowed me to build on the skills I already possess, such as organization and time management. I have been able to apply my background in anatomy and physiology to understand the function of the ACL and the role of synovial fluid around it. This experience has also helped me strengthen some of my weaker skills, such as wet lab procedures and slide-making techniques.
Throughout the spring semester, I took classes in structural kinesiology and resistance training, which provided a theoretical foundation for my understanding of human movement and exercise physiology. This internship has perfectly complemented my coursework, allowing me to apply and reinforce concepts learned in class through hands-on experience. It has given me a deeper understanding of the practical applications of structural kinesiology and resistance training, bridging the gap between theory and real-world practice. Through this experiential learning, I have gained invaluable insights into the complexities of human movement and exercise, further solidifying my understanding of the coursework and enhancing my overall comprehension of the subject matter.
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The Workplace
As a professional and teammate, I have consistently demonstrated strong communication skills, a positive attuite, and a willingness to collaborate with others. I have also demonstrated a strong worth ethic and a dedication to meeting deadlines and completing tasks to the best of my ability. In terms of personal growth, I would like to continue developing my leadership skills and become more confident in my ability to take on more responsibility within a team. The culture at my internship is very independent. There are only four of us at the lab and we all have our own individual roles yet we work collectively to achieve all the goals of our projects.
I work alongside very educated individuals. First, is Dr. Stephen Schlecht, MS, PhD (figure 1), Taeyong Ahn (Ted), PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow and Ben Loflin, MS in Biomedical Engineering, Research Analyst (Figure 2) . I have learned a lot from working with and learning from them who are from different communities, cultures, backgrounds, majors, and educational levels. I have learned the value of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and how to effectively communicate and work with individuals who may have different perspectives and experience. I have also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of being open-minded and willing to learn from others, regardless of their background or experience. We even connect on some aspects as well. I found that that we all are soccer fanatics and we share a lot of our excitement through and sport. Our goal is to play a pick up game all together as lab members. Overall, I believe that working with and learning from people who are different from myself has helped me become a more well-rounded and empathetic professional and teammate.
One example on how our team effectively worked and communicated across differences was during our project studying the effects ACL loading and rapture. As someone with a background in kinesiology, I had a good understanding of the anatomical and physiological factors involved, but I lacked expertise in biomedical analysis. Luckily, our team included Ben, who is an expert in ACL loading and injury mechanisms. He was able to contribute his expertise to the project and help us understand the mechanical stresses on ACL during loading. Additionally, Ted was able to provide unique perspective on the study of ACL more molecularly. Through our collaboration, we were able to come up with more comprehensive analysis of the data and draw more meaningful conclusions about the effects of exercise programs on ACL loading and rupture risk. Each of us brought different strengths and perspectives to the table, by working together, we were able to create a more well-rounded and informative research project. This experience taught me that importance of having a diverse team with different backgrounds and expertise when studying complex problems such as ACL loading and rupture. By working together and leveraging each other's strengths, we were able to achieve a better result than we would have individually.
Successes and Challenges
As an intern for Dr. Steve, I have experienced several moments of success, particularly in November and the months leading up to that. One of the key actions that contributed to this success was proactively seeking out resources to learn new skills and techniques. For example, I learned CHP staining, histology imaging, slide preparation, and animal sectioning. These skills have provided me with a strong understanding of what researchers do and have helped me identify the areas in which I excel. Through learning these techniques, I have gained valuable clinical lab experience that will be useful in my future career. Overall, my experiences as an intern have been very rewarding and have given me a deeper understanding of the scientific research process.
In November, one of the most challenging aspects of my internship was learning new techniques, such as CHP staining. My inexperience with these methods led to some difficulties, such as when I accidentally used the hydrophobic pen on one of the slides, which altered the staining process. However, I was able to overcome these challenges by seeking support from my mentors and asking them to demonstrate the correct techniques. With their guidance, I was able to successfully complete the staining on my next attempt. Moving into the spring semester, I plan to continue seeking support from my mentors and colleagues to overcome any future challenges I may face. By asking for help and utilizing available resources, I am confident that I will continue to learn and grow as a research intern.
Have I Overcame these Challenges?
As I continue to work with Dr. Steve, I have encountered and successfully overcome various challenges throughout my time in the research lab. Leading up to November, my proactive approach to learning new skills and techniques contributed to several moments of success. I actively sought out resources to expand my knowledge, acquiring expertise in CHP staining, histology imaging, slide preparation, and animal sectioning. These newfound abilities have not only deepened my understanding of the researcher's role but also helped me identify my strengths and areas of excellence. The clinical lab experience gained through mastering these techniques will undoubtedly benefit me in my future career.
Reflecting on my journey as an intern, I recognize that November presented a significant challenge: learning unfamiliar techniques such as CHP staining. My inexperience led to some difficulties, including mistakenly using the hydrophobic pen on a slide, which altered the staining process for that section. However, I was determined to overcome these obstacles and sought support from my mentors. I humbly requested their guidance, and they generously demonstrated the correct techniques, allowing me to correct the mistake on my next attempt. This experience taught me the importance of seeking help and engaging with mentors and colleagues.
Looking ahead to the summer and next academic year, I understand that I will continue to need support and guidance to tackle new challenges. I am committed to maintaining my proactive approach by seeking assistance from my mentors and colleagues when faced with difficulties. By asking for help and utilizing available resources, I am confident I will be able to overcome obstacles, expand my knowledge, and grow as a research intern. I am grateful for the rewarding experiences I have had thus far, which have provided me with a deeper understanding of the scientific research process and inspired me to pursue continued learning and professional development.
Through both successes and challenges, I have gained valuable insights about myself. The successes have reinforced my confidence and belief in my abilities, showing me that with determination, perseverance, and a willingness to seek support, I can overcome obstacles and achieve my goals. These successes have also highlighted my capacity for continuous learning and adaptation in a dynamic research environment. The challenges I faced have provided valuable lessons, teaching me resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of asking for help when needed. I have realized that challenges are opportunities for growth, and by embracing them, I can continue to develop my skills, expand my knowledge, and refine my approach to problem-solving.
Overall, these experiences have contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth, fostering qualities such as perseverance, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. They have deepened my understanding of my strengths and areas for improvement, shaping me into a more confident researcher and aspiring physical therapist.
Dance Workout Video!
People in my group: Juan & Eme
Adults aged 35-60 requesting a high intensity cardio-based workout
Type of Workout: Dance Fitness
The type of workout we have is a dance workout class. I believe with some feel good music and up beat harmony can enhance a person’s experience with physical activity,
My Reflection:
The dance workout we did offered an engaging and dynamic fitness which is expressed for adults aged 35-60 that liked to dance. The collaborative nature of the workout was carefully choreographed by us and all the dance moves seem to blend various movements and steps with the upbeat and energetic music. The shared experience with my group mates was so fun and exciting.
This collaboration extended beyond the workout itself, the song selection was superior and a lot of fun when we were choreographing it. From the songs like “levitating” and “call on Me” that have such a good vibe and give you high energy. The synchronization of movements like the arm punches, cross reaches, and step touches were cool movements to perform and foster a sense of unity within the group.
What I loved about it was my group dynamic. We were all feeding off each other’s energy and encouragement. The shared sense of accomplishment after successfully completing each dance routine part / song has us positive and having an uplifting atmosphere. To end, this dance workout video was so fun to do and we served a great physical exercises routine in a creative and collaborative outlet. I want to thank Dr. Yoke and Nick. Coming together with me and Juan to enjoy the benefits of fitness in a fun and socially interactive manner. I will be forever grateful for this experience.
My - 6-word reflection.
Collaborative, Dance, Creative, Cardio, Unity, & Energetic
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