First-year student jumps into research on aging and memory
| Major: | Biology or Biochemistry & Molecular Biology |
| Minor: | Studio Art (Arts Management Concentration) |
| Academics: | Richmond Scholar Oliver Hill Scholar |
| Activities: | Peer Advisors and Mentor Program Quantitative Science Research Fellow Umoja Gospel Choir Student Alumni Ambassador Multicultural Student Union |
Describe your research project.
My project is titled “The Effects of Reproductive Experience on the Presence of Estrogen and Amyloid Precursor Protein in the CA1 and Dentate Gryus Regions of the Hippocampus”. Reproductive experience has been shown to affect the behavior and neuronal structure of females. A reflection of this change is shown in the increased ability for animals that have undergone reproductive experiences to learn and remember events and objects well into old age. The goal of this study to investigate a correlation between estrogen levels and Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), a marker for degenerative disease and cognitive decline which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, in the hippocampus’ CA1 and dentate gyrus regions of the brain so as to determine if the relationship between these substances helps in enhancing memory within aged animals.
Brains will be dual labeled with fluorescent antibodies so as to determine the correlation between estrogen and APP in the desired regions. A technique called rt-PCR will also be used to amplify DNA so that the level of APP gene expression in the brain can be determined. It is expected that this study will prove the presence of estrogen increases in multiparous females preventing the formation of APP deposits on the brain thus enhancing memory capabilities with age while lower levels of estrogen will be found in nulliparous females allowing for more APP deposits to form in the hippocampus leading to decreased memory capabilities. It is also expected that MP females will display greater gene expression of APP than NP females.
How’d you decide you wanted to do research this summer? How did you come up with this project and find the right faculty advisor?
I knew that I wanted to do summer research this summer because you can devote more time to a project than you can during the semester. Last summer I participated in the Pre-Freshman HHMI program. Through this experience I was able to get a look at how things worked in the lab and gained more confidence in my lab skills. I worked on other people’s projects but really wanted to have a project of my own and because of this experience I began formulating ideas for my own research. I was matched with Dr. Kinsley because of my interest in neuroscience. I enjoyed that experience so much that I decided to continue with research in the lab I discussed my interest in neurodegenerative diseases with Dr. Kinsley and we came up with this project that deals with Alzheimer’s. It helps that Dr. Kinsley is very open to allowing students to follow their interests.
How do you see this project contributing to your collegiate success during the rest of your time at Richmond?
In terms of the project I feel that, if successful, it can have very positive implications, especially if I could publish something later on based on this research. Aside from this I feel that participating in research gives me a lot of tools that extends beyond the lab: it allows for me to become more involved in university life. Because I want to see the goals of my project accomplished, it has helped me to become a more focused person overall.
You’ve got a crystal ball. What’s in store for you after graduation?
I would like to go to medical school and hopefully pursue a MD/Ph.D. or a MD/MPH. I’m not exactly sure which one I will do yet but I know that I enjoy doing research so I would like to continue with that in my future career. I would also like to be involved in the public health sector, because it affects everyone and can be a way to reach a larger group of people.
What has a liberal arts education at the University of Richmond meant to you?
To me a liberal arts education at Richmond has meant opportunity. There are so many options available to me and other students that I have been able to pursue all of my interests and even gain new interests. The size and personal atmosphere at Richmond has also made it easy to get involved and do things, which those at different schools aren’t able to do. I feel that I am truly exploring, not only through my research, but also in all aspects of my college life. It has made these years, so far, a really enjoyable experience.