Showcase

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a clinical imaging technique that uses radioactive molecules to illuminate body tissues and processes to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Due to the radioactivity associated with PET tracers, ... they are usually prepared using automated radiochemistry modules that shield workers from radioactivity. Commercially available modules are usually very expensive and difficult to repair. The goal of this project is to design, build, and test a low-cost, open-source alternative to commercial radiochemistry modules that is easier to customize and maintain. We set out to design a system from scratch that could 1) distribute the radioactive solution across multiple reaction vials; 2) rapidly heat and cool reaction vials individually or simultaneously; 3) add multiple reagents to reaction vials in variable amounts. A schematic was constructed to select the most efficient combination of valves, pumps, and manifolds allowing for flexibility and remote operation while maintaining a modular cost-effective design. Several parts have been designed and produced in-house via 3D-printing, and a Raspberry Pi is being used to control hardware via the open-source programming application Node-Red. This project is ongoing and future work will focus on programming of other components, followed by assembly and testing. Read more

Patients with sickle cell disease often face systemic barriers related to their healthcare. Utilizing several psychosocial screeners is one way that care teams can better understand and address these patients' psychosocial and mental health needs. Th ... s. There are currently several psychosocial screening tools utilized by medical providers for pediatric patients living with a variety of acute and chronic illnesses. My work through LHSI involved compiling and analyzing data from multiple screeners utilized in the Pediatric Sickle Cell Center at Riley Hospital for Children: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventories (PedsQL), Patient Health Questionnaires-9 (PHQ-9), and Psychosocial Assessment Tools (PAT). These screeners are respectively designed to identify patient quality of life, symptoms of depression, and barriers to care for children living with sickle cell disease. In addition, I developed an updated REDCap database to record data related to the Sickle Cell Story Club, which provides free books to sickle cell patients of all ages and reading levels that promote positive themes, such as increasing self-confidence, as well as including characters from diverse backgrounds. Assisting with these projects allowed me to understand how caring for individuals with a chronic disease means understanding the disease's impact on the whole patient to improve health outcomes Read more

Instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation(IASTM) is a form of manual therapy used for musculoskeletal recovery treatment. In this research study, male and female clinicians of varying experience tested two devices linked with software that produce ... d real-time results of the amount of force clinicians applied during different strokes of quantifiable soft tissue manipulation. One device (Q1) applied local force and the second device (Q2) applied dispersive force. Two strokes were used for data collection, a linear stroke, and a curved stroke. The devices were tested in three regions of the body. The thoracic lumbar region, thigh, and calf. The Qware software used in the protocol collected force data regarding the x, y, and z fields. For this project, data from the software was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to see how linear and curve strokes compare in different regions of the body to determine if from the graphs you can determine what stroke the clinician is using. Read more

This project is about collecting the artificial nutrition goals of care conversations. PEGs are provided after a severe stroke to help with nutrition, hydration, and getting medicine down to the stomach. We documented how many patients that received ... a PEG tube had a goals of care conversation prior to placement. Read more

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, yet the origin remains puzzling to many. To indulge in your curiosity, visit my table to learn more about my pivotal project. In doing so, glaucoma is a progressive eye disease t ... hat damages the optic nerve leading to one developing visual loss and blindness. An increase in intraocular pressure is a diagnostic tool and one of the leading risks for glaucoma. The trabecular meshwork is the principal tissue responsible for the regulation of eye pressure. By directing the drainage of fluid out of the eye, its dysfunction is responsible for eye pressure elevation. This irregularity will initiate a resistance of the flow of fluid that will deteriorate the optic nerve. Through the Characterization of Primary Trabecular Meshwork Cells for Downstream Use, one will be able to understand the imperative purpose of trabecular meshwork cells and narrow the knowledge gaps regarding glaucoma today. Read more

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people around the world. Individuals with T1D must monitor their glucose levels constantly and are dependent on daily synthetic insulin injections to maintain blood glucose withi ... n a narrow window. We study the relationship between the development of this disease and biochemical stressors that may be involved in early disease triggering events, specifically those that are associated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. We are particularly interested in early damage to the beta-cells because they naturally secrete insulin. Therefore, in my project I worked to analyze factors related to oxidative stress and the antioxidant response to determine the role they may play in initiation and progression of this devastating disease. Read more

For this project we conducted an online survey through a non-referral based website, accepting applicants that were 18 and older. Then we utilized various demographics and models to analyze the data including socio-demographics, medical history, and ... healthcare access. In order to complete our desired survey respondent count, these surveys were created in small batches where we could continually create and assign qualification codes to respondents to ensure that they didn't complete the survey numerous times. After conducting the survey, we found that it was completed by a majority of White adults with a 4:1 ratio to non-white adults. The survey results showed that IBS is prevalent in both White and non-white adults however there may still be disparities that exist related to healthcare access and satisfaction in IBS. Read more

This research consists of a survey conducted that looks at the residency and fellowship graduates from the IU School of Medicine who plan to practice in Indiana. It identifies factors that affect a graduate's choice in determining where thy would lik ... d like to practice. This electronic survey is sent out to all the residents and fellows and looks at demographic characteristics as well as opinions on residency training. My role in this project consisted of looking at each of the 16 department specific reports (DSRs) from 2021 and verifying the data and formulas to ensure an accurate data entry process for the incoming data for 2022. After completing this, I was given the data analysis outputs, so I could enter the information into Excel for each DSR. Once the data was inputted, I verified, that all the information on the reports - including tables, text description, and numerical values - was correct. The findings from this research are used by IUSM leadership to recruit and retain their residents and fellows in the state Read more

There is a lack of interventions to improve cognitive skills/memory/processing skills in cancer survivor patients, hence the ultimate goal of this project is to begin studying what effects neuro-cognitive intervention may have. The project is based o ... n a method known as the Feuerstein method, which really focuses on how individuals learn and explore their cognitive capabilities. Past research has shown that this method has worked in traumatic brain injury, hence its application here. The intervention began with Leukemia survivors because often, there are post-chemotherapy effects on cognition. However the study has now extended to all cancer survivor types. Originally, the end goal was to have 30 recruits with 3 assessments: baseline, after 8 weeks, and after16 weeks. The project has failed to meet its initial goals, however, the investigation team is in the process of working with focus groups to make the interventions more successful to be able to eventually aid as many survivors in developing their cognitive skills. Read more

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are some of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in Indiana. While treatments are readily available for curing these infections, disparities in how and where they are administered exist. This project aims to anal ... yze the disparities in treatment to determine if patients are receiving the CDC recommended treatments and in which setting (public or private) patients are more likely to receive the correct treatment. Data was collected from both private and public hospitals such as the Indiana Department of Health, and Marion County Public Health Department that reported infection cases between 2018-2021 as well as other factors such as age, gender, and location of the affected individuals. Further analysis was conducted on the data to determine the treatment rates stratified by year, age group, sex, and race. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide insight and recommendations that can help public health officials and medical professionals in Indiana develop more effective strategies for treating and preventing these STIs, reducing their impact on individuals and communities in the state. Read more