Jessica McCay

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

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

I am working in Dr. Adejare’s lab. We have a focus on developing new potential drugs to help mitigate the neurodegenerative properties of Alzeheimer’s Disease. 

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

I love the focus on neurodegenerative disease. In this lab, I’ve gotten to look at a few different aspects of research including the chemistry and cell culture side of drug development and testing.

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

I have gained a wide variety of lab experience and skills by working in this lab. I’ve practiced some basic lab etiquettes such as cleaning, labeling, note taking, material maintenance and storage, and professional, scientific communication. I’ve gotten hands on experience with basic tools and procedures such as micro and glass pipetting, TLC plating, scales and measurements, acid base work ups, cell culture maintenance and assay analysis, rotovap and distillation apparatuses, salt formation, and many other standard but versatile procedures. Finally, I’ve gained a familiarity with analytical machinery such as mass spectroscopy, TLC plating, column chromatography, cell plate reading, UV visible spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. The skills I have learned, developed, and practiced will serve me very well in any lab I may find myself in in the future.

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

With the intent of giving me a diverse lab experience, I have been switching between labs, mini projects, and lab partners which I found rather stressful as I was learning something new nearly every other week. 

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

This experience has given me great insight into the logistics of lab work that I didn't really get in my class labs. Working closely with different graduate students, I was able to hear a lot of different perspectives, ideas, and suggestions that were a lot more personal and relatable than I’ve previously received in lectures. I have gained a lot of insight into the real world of science that exists outside of a classroom lab which has done a lot to inform my plans for the future. 

 6.     Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I really enjoy doing primary literature research and I’ve been writing a small review paper on the neurobiology of depression in my free time for my own understanding. 

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

The most difficult thing I have personally experienced with the COVID pandemic is that the USURF program was pushed partially into the school year. I have had a rather difficult time managing my normal classwork and getting into the lab for enough hours to satisfy the grant expectations. Rather than dedicating a credit course of hours in the lab, I’ve had to spend about twice as much time in the lab for the grant.