Showcase

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 ... e 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

The Kids Healthcast Podcast is a podcast dedicated to serving parents, teachers, and caregivers who work with children to educate and advocate for their pediatric health. This podcast is facilitated by pediatric residents from the Indiana University ... School of Medicine in Indianapolis. In which they construct topics about pediatric health and include resources that can be reached through online resources or public organizations. Read more

The Hulvershorn lab investigates impulsivity and risky decision-making in adolescents at risk for substance use and HIV. Some factors including high impulsivity and a family history of substance abuse have been identified as predictors for later enga ... gement in high-risk behaviors such as early substance use, development of substance use disorders, and engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors. By developing an understanding of these risk factors, researchers hope to identify populations vulnerable to these risky behaviors. The lab investigates these topics in a sample of 11-12 year old children using a research method known as longitudinal follow-up to track their endorsement and engagement in substance use and sexual behaviors. The children initially undergo an array of behavioral assessments and an fMRI to get a baseline of characteristics of interest. The adolescents then are contacted every six months to track their engagement in substance use and sexual behaviors. Using this data the Hulvershorn lab hopes to better understand what risk factors are associated with risky behavior. With these findings, further research hopes to better identify at-risk children, understand adolescent development, prevent engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors and substance use, and develop evidence-based treatment and prevention protocols targeting adolescent populations. Read more

Diabetes Mellitus is an increasingly concerning issue within the field of medicine. Though the disease is manageable, the associated secondary complications become progressively debilitating as the patient lives on. One complication is the inability ... to create functional blood vessels to ischemic tissue. This increases the risk of life-threatening bacterial infections which without treatment could require amputation of the afflicted extremity or even death. At our lab, we explore the molecular basis of vasculopathy in affected ischemic tissue from diabetics as compared to healthy skin. This includes examination of gene expression changes and promoter methylation status of vasculogenic genes. Our lab has recently shown that decreased blood flow in diabetics is linked to increased vascular gene suppression. During my time at this internship, I learned to examine gene promoter methylation status using bisulfite sequencing. This procedure utilizes treating DNA with chemicals that can differentially react with methylated and unmethylated cytosine residue. The quantification of methylated CG pairs in vascular gene promoter can reveal the amount of silencing in diabetic ischemic tissue. Using methods including bisulfite sequencing, results of such research could have major implications for diabetics with non-healing ulcers and ischemic limb tissue. Acknowledgement: The laboratory of Dr. Kanhaiya Singh is supported by U.S. Department of Defense grant W81XWH-22-1-0146. On behalf of everyone in the lab and myself, I would like to thank the director of the ICRME program, Dr. Chandan K Sen for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this internship at his lab. Read more

Family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are often unprepared for the emotional, physical and financial strain that can result from caregiving. These consequences of caregiving may be worse when people ... are identified late with ADRD. The COADS study is a randomized controlled trial that will examine the impact of early detection of ADRD on family members of older adults. 1,809 dyads of primary care patients in greater Indianapolis aged 65 and older with no diagnosis of ADRD and one of their family members were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups. Two of the groups were screened for ADRD and received their screening results and are encouraged to get follow-up diagnostic care, and one group did not receive screening. Dyads are followed every six months to measure patient and family member depression, anxiety, and health related quality of life. Caregiver preparedness and caregiving self-efficacy are measured for the family members. We hypothesize that family members in the two screening groups will have a better quality of life, lower rates of anxiety, depression, and be more prepared for caregiving at 24-months after screening. Read more

Sickle cell disease is a condition that affects approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States. Of the individuals, the vast majority of them are Black and come from low-income neighborhoods where healthcare isn't easily accessible. This inte ... rnship site is researching how we can help further the education system for healthcare and mental healthcare. At our site, we are determining associations of pain-related injustice, sickle cell stigma, and perceptions of racism in Black youth with sickle cell disease. Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone but has impacted some communities more than others. The study aims to understand and reduce the disparities in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality for those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. As COVI ... D-19 prevention efforts have become more complex, it is important to identify strategies to best improve COVID-19 awareness and reduce its impact in the community. IU is one of the four study sites participating in this nationwide project and is the only site working with adolescents. This project aims to inform participants of the basics of COVID-19 and situation-appropriate prevention. The study focuses on teaching participants to identify misinformation and sharpen their media literacy skills. It also focuses on empowering participants to be change agents in their social circle. I have learned how to use REDCap to help collect data, conduct surveys, and generate randomization in REDCap. I have practiced going over an informed consent form. I have also practiced the process of enrolling participants in the study. In short, the overarching goals of the C3 study project are to increase COVID-19 vaccination and situation-appropriate testing and to promote accurate information regarding COVID-19. Read more