Abigail White

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

1.     Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am conducting research with Dr. Manners. We are investigating the significance of tolllike receptors (TLRs) in stress-induced inflammation, and the development of depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. These results will provide insight into the role of TLR antagonists and could suggest new targets for the development of novel antidepressant medications.   

2.     What do you find fascinating in the research you’re doing?

The amount of factors that must be considered can be overwhelming, but it is also fascinating and exciting to discover what can be done next. Our results will hopefully unlock one piece of the puzzle, which can then be used to help discover another piece, and eventually evolve into new therapeutic treatments for depression. 

3.     What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

This experience has helped me become more efficient in reading scientific papers. I have read hundreds of papers in order to investigate other methods and findings scientists have conducted. Before this journey I would have thought reading that many papers would take a lifetime. However, now it is a skill I am proficient in and will continue to use for the rest of my life. 

4.     What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

Persevering through experiments that fail several times can be difficult, but when they eventually work it is incredibly rewarding and I learn so much throughout the process. How to become more organized is one skill that this challenge has especially taught me.   

5.     How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

There are so many unknowns in the field of neuroscience, causing countless opportunities for researchers in this area. This experience has made me realize the infinite factors that can be combined to conduct new influential studies. This makes me even more excited to continue a research based career, specifically in the field of neuroscience

6.     Tell us something interesting about yourself.

Once I moved to Philadelphia for school I found that I really enjoy running and have discovered so many neat spots in the city that I don’t think I would have found otherwise. I have now set a new goal to run in every place I travel to in order to see the land in a different way.  I am looking forward to continuing this once COVID is over and traveling becomes easy/safe again.  

7. How has the COVID pandemic impacting you and how are you coping with it ?

The COVID pandemic has not affected me to the extent that it has impacted many families, which I am extremely grateful for. The greatest disruption the pandemic has caused in my life is throwing off my daily routine. However, I have adapted to a new routine and began running often, which has helped relieve stress.