Adverse experiences during childhood and adolescence, especially adolescent social isolation (ASI) or disrupted peer interactions, are a major risk factor in the development of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) later in life. During adolescence, individua ... ls mature emotionally, learn proper social behaviors, and develop coping skills for stressful settings. Therefore, the presence of ASI is a significant factor to consider when researching the development of AUDs in animal models. Despite understanding that these experiences during vulnerable periods of development increase risk for AUDs, the neural mechanisms through which ASI increases the risk to develop compulsive drinking remain poorly understood. Currently, the Lukkes lab utilizes an ASI paradigm that socially isolates animals from early to mid-adolescence followed by re-socialization (ASIR). The Lukkes lab has seen that ASIR during a critical period of adolescence exacerbates alcohol drinking and leads to greater aversion-resistant drinking during adulthood in both male and female rats, relative to animals that have been group-housed. This project’s significance lies in understanding the impact of disrupted social interactions during adolescence, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. By unraveling the neural signatures of ASI and alcohol exposure history, this research informs preventive strategies and interventions for adolescents at risk of developing AUDs. Read more

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetical red blood disorders due to defective hemoglobin. Although there is no cure for Sickle Cell Disease, patients living with SCD are treated through pain medication, blood transfusions, and other medications. Pati ... ents living with SCD deal with physical and emotional problems that medical providers look to aid for. In this internship, we examine measurements to improve quality of care for Adolescent patients with SCD. Through telehealth care and examining financial, educational, and physical aspects of patients, interns help improve access for patients. Read more

The goal of the Komen Tissue Bank and Biospecimen Collection and Banking Core is to help accelerate cancer research through the collection of biospecimen and clinical data. We are dedicated to facilitating science to identify new ways to prevent, dia ... gnose, and treat cancer through collaboration with our community, patients, providers and scientists. As a result, we hope to advance cancer research and ultimately, find a cure. Read more

Parasites of the genus Plasmodium are responsible for causing malaria, the deadliest mosquito-borne parasitic disease in the world. Due to increasing concerns of drug resistance in these parasites, new targets for anti-malarial compounds are in high ... demand. I am helping to investigate an uncharacterized protein in P. falciparum called PfAnchor that is essential for parasite replication. When PfAnchor is absent, parasites cannot emerge from red blood cells after cytokinesis, leading to non-invasive clusters of parasites. We found that PfAnchor interacts with PfDyn2, a protein crucial for organelle fission in related organisms. I wanted to characterize this interaction, so I used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to introduce protein tags for PfDyn2 into PfAnchor tagged parasites. This process involved designing and building CRISPR-Cas9 plasmids with the PfDyn2 gene and associated tags, purifying plasmid DNA from bacterial cultures, and transfecting P. falciparum parasites with this plasmid. The transgenic parasites can then be collected for advanced ultrastructure expansion microscopy to visualize and compare PfDyn2 localization in the presence and absence of PfAnchor. This work will enhance our understanding of organelle fission and will lead to new targets for anti-malarial drugs. Read more

In this internship, I work with Dr. Reinoso, her fellow pediatricians, and my internship partner to learn more about how diaper insecurity affects families with young children. We use surveys to understand the depth of their needs, and provide free d ... iapers, while also working to connect the families to further services such as housing and food assistance. Our goal is to offer holistic support, addressing immediate concerns like diapers while also helping with broader needs. Another facet of our program is working to understand the impact of diaper insecurity on mental health and parenting confidence. Throughout our work in data collection and patient connection, we use our findings to continue earning funding for the program in order to be able to reach more patients in the future. Read more

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), whi ... ase (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. Read more

I'd like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the LHSI program for providing me with this incredible opportunity to grow not just as a student but also as a future researcher. Regarding my experiences in the LHSI program, I worked alongside Dr. Eva-Ku ... va-Kurtz Nelson, Angela Paxton, and their team to assist with entering data into the RedCaps database concerning their patients with autism. This internship allowed me to learn a lot about autism, the research process, and data entry. I'll talk about what I've done, what autism is, and how data entry may be used to understand autism better. Data entry allows one to analyze any questions, such as what the diagnosis of autism is between a boy and a girl. Of course, there are certain limitations to examining data on this subject. Read more

Kids Healthcast is a child health-focused podcast hosted by IU pediatric residents. Offering informative discussions on various health topics that interest parents. This year, the podcast has upgraded to new equipment, promising its audience a higher ... quality listening experience. To amplify their reach interns actively manage social media accounts. When episodes are up to date interns have the opportunity to join group sessions at the Community Pediatric rotations. Which allows interns to enrich their professional growth and community connections. Read more

During my internship, I delved into exploring the molecular mechanisms governing skeletal muscle regulation, focusing on the downregulation of ?Klotho in dystrophic muscles and aging. The project aimed to decipher the impact of genetically manipulati ... ng ?Klotho on skeletal muscles, particularly investigating changes in myonuclear concentration in muscle fibers of Klotho mutant mice during the postnatal period. To execute this, I acquired proficiency in various methodologies. Starting with cryosectioning mice quadriceps muscles, the foundational step ensured precise and consistent sections using a cryostat. Subsequent phases involved immunofluorescence histology, leveraging specific markers for enhanced cellular structure understanding, and fluorescence microscopy for high-resolution images crucial for morphological analysis. The final stage employed ImageJ for quantitative data extraction, enabling accurate fiber and nuclei counting. Overcoming challenges with fluorescence antibody labeling through proper controls highlighted the significance of attention to detail and effective communication in research. My contributions extended to using the microscope for fluorescent image analysis and data analysis with ImageJ for nuclei/fiber studies. Collaborative efforts within a diverse team enriched perspectives, fostering creativity and effective problem-solving. These hands-on experiences, coupled with adaptability, form the foundation for future scientific excellence, underscoring the importance of meticulous research practices in academic and career pursuits. Read more

This project is a slideshow detailing what team-based care is and the model the IU Health Primary Care Central Indianapolis - Family Medicine Residency employs in two collaborative care clinics: Buprenorphine Clinic and the Comprehensive Pain Assessm ... ent Clinic (CoPAC). The slideshow reviews clinic flow: huddles, patient care, comprehensive care plans, and the debrief. The clinic's learning environment and specific professions involved in clinic are also included. The goal of this site is to research and optimize team-based care for patients with chronic pain and/or opioid use disorders by incorporating multiple professions into the care of the patient, and view their health from many different lenses, which allow for a thorough evaluation and a comprehensive care plan that benefits the patient. Read more