A summary of scientific aspiration, that lead a girl to return to her roots: playing with mud!

I would like to dedicate my first blog post to my statement of purpose that was curated over the five years I spent trying to gain admittance to graduate school. Please reference this post for my background and journey developing my scientific interests. Although I do not have the privilege of being able to actualize testing my hypothesis in a laboratory or academic environment, I hope that this page might find someone who does have facilities at their disposal. I’ve realized over years of what I perceived to be failure that my real goal in life is to not to succeed, but to inspire. If I can inspire one individual who has the ability to take action towards the betterment of the scientific community, then that is the most noble form of achievement I can foresee. The world of academia is built around what I’ve understood to be rigid constructs, and I hope to bridge that gap through sharing knowledge and community in a free and open environment, curated towards altruism and humanitarianism.

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail." ― Confucius

I’ve always seen neuroscience as a curious dichotomy of the known and unknown, both of which have limitless opportunity for discovery. From its fleeting impulses to the inexplicable paradigm of higher conscious power, neuroscience is the ever-prevailing thread linking all that is theoretical to concrete, the abstract to the observed. Neuroscience is not only the perfect duality between science and creativity, but also our bridge to other dimensions. My experience with clinical, experimental, and observational research has driven me to pursue what feels like my natural next step in life: seeking graduate education in Neuroscience. Throughout my career, I have developed research interests in enteric neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, and neurodegenerative disease. Directed by these interests, my goal is to cultivate definitive research questions under the guidance of my potential advisors. In seeking to answer these questions, I hope to also propagate the sacred value of shared knowledge across the scientific and medical communities.

For a significant part of my life, I foresaw myself becoming an artist of an exacting standard. I became an apprentice in ceramic art at the young age of eight and was recognized as a professional by the age of sixteen. It was then that I also began recognizing my passion for science, but it was difficult for me to retain mechanisms through sheer memorization or in a classroom setting. My creative mind needs to visualize the fluidity of concepts, and I’ve had to practice my understanding through studying extensive literature under the guidance of my gracious mentors. Through neuroscience, I have found an outlet that not only would benefit from an artistic mind, but often requires it. Neuroscience challenges me creatively in ways that are polarized from art, of which is a real pursuit that I feel compelled to undertake.

My introduction to research began during my time as an undergraduate student. I worked as a research assistant for around two years at the Integrated Neuroscience Laboratory along esteemed faculty at my university. The primary project I was involved with studied the effects of nicotine on attention through the administration of standardized tasks, quantified nicotine delivery, and EEG monitoring. I was the lead assistant tasked with screening and intake of study participants, eligibility confirmation, and biological sample collection. Managing sample inventory and processing of blood, saliva, and urine using standard sterile technique was a part of my regular duties as a research assistant. Of note, my training in EEG net placement, biofeedback, and impedance verification ensured viable data collection and integrity. Through this experience, I developed a foundation in understanding quality control methods for data collection and observation. I continued my undergraduate research by assisting in a dissertation study. We investigated the effects of mindfulness on attention for participants with low to moderate anxiety through eye tracking and self-report survey. Our findings were presented at the annual poster conference at my university. Additionally, my undergraduate contributions as a teaching assistant in Research Methods and Statistics were recognized during my junior year of studies. I was awarded Excellence in Psychology by my valued mentor and head of the psychology department. My foundational studies in research have structured my understanding of neuroscience as well as the essential knowledge of chemical and biological sciences, all of which I can utilize in my future education.

I continued to enhance my investigative skills by working at a research-centered gastroenterology clinic, which first introduced me to the world of enteric neuroscience. I assisted with clinical trials investigating the efficacy of biologic medications in patients with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Enteric neuroscience is one of my most prominent interests, and I have studied vast literature on gastrointestinal manifestations leading to inflammatory reactions and neurodegenerative disease. Specifically, I am captivated by alpha-synuclein pathology in the context of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Parkinson’s disease is my most endearing interests originating from my experience working with a renowned neurosurgeon specializing in deep brain stimulation. Viral connections to neurodegeneration have also sparked my curiosity, notably considering the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. In anticipation of the potential rise in neurodegenerative disease, I suspect that we might face an analogous response to this pandemic much like with the Spanish flu in the early 1900’s. Recent literature has already come to light connecting the neuro-inflammatory potential of SARS CoV-2 to PD. Vagus nerve innervation provides a possible route for alpha-synuclein dissemination as a late effect of the virus, which I think is essential to explore.

My previous position as a research coordinator has not only greatly impacted my development as a scientist and clinician, but it has also served as a motivational crux for continuing translational research in my graduate studies. My role involved managing clinical trials for children afflicted with brain tumors in which no curative therapies are known. I am grateful to have also been the lead coordinator of several observational non-treatment studies. Primarily, the study where I was most involved aimed at testing novel cluster chip technology to detect circulating tumor cells in medulloblastoma patients. We also recruited low grade glioma patients for single nucleotide polymorphism mapping and neuropsychological testing in attempts to better understand cognitive outcomes in long term survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Pediatric brain cancer is a disconcerting mystery to me, as I have conjectured that environmental factors trigger potential mutations leading to cancerous mechanisms. Many of my patients were only in their first few years of life when they received their terminal diagnosis, and they had not yet been exposed to the environmental burden that typically leads to compounding of deleterious aggregates. The impact this experience has had on me can only be described as stirring fire igniting my deepest determination to help progress the collective knowledge of neuroscience research, whichever subfield I am destined to pursue.

I am fortunate enough to study under my current mentor, an esteemed professor emeritus. Our current publication pending review seeks to analyze the transplantation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC’s) in APP-PS1mice. Collaborating with my mentor over the years has broadened my knowledge of neurodegenerative disease, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We observed how ADSC’s transfected with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) decreased hippocampal amyloid plaque load and improved dendritic morphology in this mouse model. A strange paradox that I have been privy to in my studies of AD is that although physiologically targeted therapy can lessen disease impact, cognitive recovery has not been widely observed. Additionally, I have been inspired to explore the specific relationship between AD and metabolic dysfunction. With the ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes in our world currently, its potential link to AD holds higher implications in modern medicine and global health. I believe many pre-clinical associations can be discovered and actualized in the future of AD therapy. Metabolic changes and a-beta pathogenesis can also be inevitably linked to the gastrointestinal microbiome. Making the potential connection of lifestyle factors to the development of cognitive disease could initiate novel approaches combination therapy that incorporate both preventative and interventional methodology.

I subsequently transitioned to working as a clinical research coordinator specializing in clinical trials for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). My introductory knowledge of this disease has sparked my interest in genetics, specifically the TDP-43 mutation. Because this mutation is common in several other forms of neurodegeneration, I see its targetable potential as significant. In my opinion, making connections between familial inherited genetics and epigenetic consequences of lifestyle factors is vital when considering the unique complexity of ALS. I believe that this research poses high significance in not only ALS, but also PD. The critical impact of intestinal enteric neuron loss found in the PD pathology ultimately leads to the clinical presentation of constipation, being a hallmark symptom of PD and ALS. I have recently shifted my involvement on the ALS team towards social impacts of quality of life in both patients and caregivers with the goal of bringing advocacy and meaningful intervention to a population of people who personally uphold my highest reverence. I am currently involved in preliminary startup and collaborative pursuits of which will test psilocybin therapy and Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) in patients and caregivers of ALS with the aim of lowering distress and improving quality of life. I believe this work is so incredibly vital to incorporate in populations living with terminal illness. Especially when no curative methods have been discovered and the goal of clinical treatment is to extend life, I believe it is of utmost importance to allocate resources that treat mental health in accordance with physical health.  

Expanding the translational knowledge base of neurodegeneration and identifying possible therapeutic targets would be the ideal career path for me, beginning in an advanced academic setting and accelerating towards clinical application. Establishing collaborative efforts and publishing progressive literature are my primary degree seeking goals. I hope to develop my interests through independent projects, but also through network within the community. The fluidity of research will undoubtedly lead to an evolution of my interests and understanding. Broadening my scope of practice while also refining specified competencies will help prepare me for my long-term goals of pursuing a career in biotechnology or academia. Aside from my personal accomplishments, the most notable beneficence I foresee in my career is to foster the next generation of neuroscientists. I recognize the importance of shared knowledge above all, along with encouraging creativity and ambition.

Apart from the academic significance of neuroscience, I have also recognized the spiritual and catalytic benefits of applying meditation and mindfulness to my own life. Inspired by both neuroscience and metaphysics, I have transformed my way of thinking and learning. The power of positivity has made an incredible impact on my growth as an investigator, student, and segmented individual. I not only have neuroscience to thank for such a rewarding and electrifying career thus far, but also for my spiritual awakening and confidence to follow my dreams. I believe expertise is obtained by dedicating your life to a given subject, and I am ready to make that commitment to neuroscience.

... If you made it this far, I thank you for your time and attention. I hope that other aspiring students can learn from my journey, and use this as an example that percieved failure does not define your ability to succeeed. Although my life is undergoing an extremely polarizing shift from a science focused career to an artistic one, I could not be more grateful for the experience and lessons I learned along the way. Give yourself some grace in your endeavors, and know that whatever is meant to be will find you!