Since October 2015, I’ve been a research assistant at Prof. Frances Champagne’s psychobiology laboratory. The initial reason I chose to intern with her was because she has continuously been pushing the boundaries of our knowledge of epigenetic influences on depression, with numerous papers published in leading scientific journals (Nature Neuroscience and American Journal of Psychiatry, to name a few). Since then, my research at the Champagne lab has convinced me to pursue an MD/PhD degree in order to continue my contribution to scientific understanding of the molecular biology of psychopathology.
The project I have been individually working on for the past year and a half, “Effects of Maternal Separation on Depression Candidate Gene Expression
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Results I currently obtain could eventually be published in a scientific journal. Beside the potential for publication, additionally wet lab and novel live animal experience will be useful for my future career in the sciences. I am sure that the understanding I will gain by working with Prof. Champagne will prove to be an amazing foundation for seeking out positions at epigenetics laboratories outside Columbia and eventually applying for an MD/PhD. During the summer, I will hone my wet lab expertise, improving skills I already have learned (including mRNA level gene expression studies, pyrosequencing and statistical analysis), and acquiring new skill sets (such as basic rodent care and handling, live animal sample acquisition and behavioral …show more content…
For four hours every week since March this semester, I’ve been providing support and assistance to young patients and their families, chiefly through completing rounds and staffing the playroom, but also by running errands for the nurses and staff. Spending a few hours working with young patients either one-on-one or in small groups has allowed me to understand the gravity of clinical work. Yet, I’ve also been given an opportunity to brighten the lives of our patients, particularly of the children suffering chronic illnesses, and every time I play videogames or make crafts with them, they teach me how to be a better physician-scientist and a better
"I believe quite strongly that there is great value in play. Play is learning lessons that often can't be learned anyplace else.’’1 An unknown middle schooler. Dr. Barros decided to conduct the study after observing a young patient's classroom--to see how antsy the student and his peers were by lunchtime.”They were given no work breaks, save for 15 minutes of quiet snacking at their desks.they were so drowsy”.
Mrs. Nancy Hamilton (changed name for privacy) is 95 years old female who resides in a local continued care retirement community (CCRC) located in the Los Angeles County. I decided to interview Mrs. Hamilton for her successful aging. I have known her for 9 years and her aging process has not been an easy ride but she always maintained a positive sprit that kept her going even today. Mrs. Hamilton moved in to a CCRC in 2006, two years after her husband passed away. Mrs. Hamilton has one daughter and one son. Daughter Margaret lives nearby and visits frequently and takes care of personally needs such as transportation to medical appointments or shopping for skin care products or clothes as necessary. Son, David lives in the Northern California and visits a few times a year.
Clinical depression, which affects about 10% of the adult population (Holtz, Stokes, 1138), is charact...
...en who are there each week are incredibly inspirational, and they never seem to be discouraged, even though some of the patients have been there for five to six weeks in a row. I look forward to seeing their smiling faces each time I visit, yet I cannot help but hope they will not be there but will be at home the next time I visit. The children and youth I have met at Children’s Hospital have become dear friends, and they have taught me that leadership involves making the most of the talents we each have been given, and seeking excellece, not perfection.
Through my extensive research on depression I have learned a lot of new things. I have learned about the many forms of depression and treatment for depression. I have also learned a little about what is believed to go on chemically in the brain of a clinically depressed person. I was also able to partially determine what sort of role genetics, chemicals and personal influences in the brain. Though I was unable to determine exactly how environmental and personal stress can cause a chemical imbalance in a person, I was even able to speculate about this issue and determine some theories of my own on why and how this may happen.
Many twin studies have also shown results that genetically identical twins (MZ) have a greater number of inheriting depression than non-identical twins (DZ). For instance an experiment carried out by Prince in 1968 expected that MZ twins would have a higher concordance for depression compared to DZ twins. Results found were that the MZ twins who were raised in the same environment/family showed a concordance of 68% and DZ twins had a lower concordance of 28% for bipolar disorder only. This is evidence that genes plays a greater role than ...
There are millions of questions that are begging to be answered, and I have the drive to find the answers to them. There could be a vaccine for cancer just waiting to be found in the world, and I could be the one to find it. Paraplegics could be able to walk again, and I could be a part of their recovery. Not only would I be influencing the world, but I would also be influencing distinct human lives. My experience with volunteering in schools and crisis centers has taught me about the value of lives. I’ve come to deeply appreciate the fact that every person experiences the world as vividly as I do, meaning that they share the same feelings, from love, anger, sadness, down to pointless and sporadic thoughts and emotions. This makes me further respect the work of those who work in the medical field, as they make impacts larger than I can imagine. I know that if I were in the place of someone whose life depended on the innovations in science and technology, my existence would be highly influenced by any doctor who even simply hopes to make advancements in
...epersonalized. Although not every patient is easy to deal with and doctors are under colossal pressure, by inspiring students with a possible future in the medical field to get involved with type of community service early we can ameliorate the distressing situation. Coming into contact with, speaking to, and intimately understanding these incredible individuals can dramatically alter one’s perspective and ensure treatment with self respect and dignity. I strongly believe in this notion of early involvement. My changed view coupled with my future medical training in college will allow me to be a figure to emulate and hopefully inspire others to follow this path. By embarking on this monumental journey mankind has the opportunity to shape history and enrich the lives of others while personally experiencing the most rewarding of all endeavors: helping someone in need.
At thirteen I left my home in sunny Miami, Florida to attend a boarding school in snowy Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During those four years I learned to be independent, and to work effectively with my peers. One year, a group of students and I began to visit patients every
...rt of my undergraduate preparation. I hope to make some substantial progress on my project with Dr. Pellegrini and have presentable data by the end of the program and contribute to the scientific community. I also look forward to networking with fellow SPUR-LABS students and faculty. In my time at UCLA, I have realized that research is all but a solo act. It is a cooperative endeavor, and being in the program will provide a collaborative and supportive environment for me to succeed. Ideally, I would like to have at least one paper published during my undergraduate career. C.S. Lewis once said, “Experience: the most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God, do you learn.” Such experiences, especially SPUR-LABS will hopefully aid my journey to graduate school and my pursuit of a Ph.D. and work in academia and work alongside of the professors and mentors I have today.
The main purpose of her position is to help children and families with hospitalization, diagnosis, illnesses, and injuries. She stated that she works in the clinic so she sees patients and families from diagnosis or first visits to multiple return visits. She says she builds solid relationships with the children and their families. “It is most rewarding when I’ve spent time with an anxious child and done “everything” (diagnosis, teaching, medical play, procedure education, and support) and slowly see the change from a child not coping well at all, to coping well with support and slowly not needing me at all; it’s a little sad when they tell me they don’t need me to be present, but I know then that I have done my job because they’ve learned the skills to go through a procedure independently” (Tiller, telephone interview, December 8, 2016). Ms. Tiller stated that one of the challenges is that this is a
I shadowed a primary care physician (PCP), a cardiologist, and a General surgeon in Little Rock. I was introduced to triaging, monitoring patient diets, and transitioning from diagnosis to treatment. These experiences exposed me to some of the immense responsibilities of doctors. Through my experience shadowing Dr. Richard Jackson, I learned the necessity of compassion in a physician and that it is as important as medical procedures. I observed him putting a colostomy bag on a seven-year-old girl diagnosed with colon cancer. When she recovered from surgery, he noticed she was sad and scared about the colostomy bag. He comforted her by telling stories of many other children who also had colostomy bags at a young age and finished his conversation by making funny faces at her. This made her happy and her smile expressed joy and the beauty of being alive. It taught me that a patient’s emotional health is as important as their physical health, and both factors need to be considered when providing care. This shadowing experience enabled me to see what it is like to be as a practicing physician and further reinforced my desire to be a
My interest in Psychology began in 2012, when I had the opportunity to research on my own about the subject. After I embarked on an introductory course in Psychology to relieve the boredom of working in a call centre, I then was motivated to continue with my studies. After securing my Higher and HNC in Social Science – I continued with the HND.
Forensic Psychology PT Forensic Psychology as an academic discipline has encouraged me to pursue this field at an educational and professional level. I feel the need and desire for more education to become better equip to serve, for the prosperity and protection of our society. One of my main interests in this program is the study of human behavior pertaining to crime. I find myself asking the question “why?” Why did that person commit that specific crime, and is there any way of preventing that crime from reoccurring.
Iannelli, V. (2014, July 16). What It 's Like to Be a Pediatrician - A Firsthand Account. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/pediatriccareers/a/pedi_interview.htm