Showcase

LEADS is an observational study focused on the development of Early Onset Alzheimer's for those aged 40-64. The purpose is to understand the causes of sporadic early onset Alzheimer's Disease individuals, and how they are different for those developi ... e developing this disease after the age of 65 or later. This study is used to address the needs of those who are still fully employed and have children still living at home. Patients that choose to participate in the study are screened with cognitive testing once per year. They are brought in and screened through a series of cognitive activities and graded based on performance. The performance is logged in a patient chart that is carried from year to year to moderate cognitive impairment. We follow people for as long as they are willing to stay in the study. The level of cognitive impairment they reach before they end the study can vary. Another screening that is taken and monitored is the development of white matter changes/hyperintensities in the brain. This is seen through performing an MRI screening of the patient's brain. A higher amount of white matter changes/hyperintensities in the brain is associated with worse cognition of brain function. This study continues to track the development of EOAD to advance therapeutic development and ultimately improve quality of life and longevity for these individuals. Read more

My team at my internship site focuses on a longitudinal frontotemporal lobar degenerative disease study (FTD). Essentially, this study gathers research on memory changes and the long-term effects that it has on individuals. Almost 10% of US adults ov ... er the age of 65 are diagnosed with dementia. With this, 2-10% of those with dementia are diagnosed with FTD. This study only enrolls those with sporadic diagnosis, those with a genetic mutation, or those who are first-degree relatives of those with a genetic mutation. The focused nature of this study aims for a better understanding of the dementia and contributes valuable insight to the progression and potential intervention. I've contributed to the research by carrying the responsibility of data organization as well as administrative support. My role so far has been to organize and prepare data from patient information examinations and forms to aid in the efficiency of this study. The goal of this project is to peer under the term of dementia, inform the audience on what exactly FTD is, and discuss the ALLFTD study. I hope this summary and infographic provide you with a clearer understanding of FTD and highlight the significance of the ongoing research in the study. Read more

I have helped create, condense, and edit a training module that is part of the Justice and Public Safety Professional Learning Community (IIACC). The module provides a foundational understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) and highlights the ... importance of awareness to prevent misperceptions and promote inclusion. The module covers key facts about autism, addressing its lifelong nature, behavioral communication, sensory processing, gender disparities in diagnosis, and co-occurring medical conditions. It also explores employment, education, and social integration challenges, including bullying and interactions with law enforcement. Special focus is given to how autistic individuals are often misunderstood in the criminal justice system, either as suspects or victims. Additionally, the module examines systemic issues, including racial and socioeconomic disparities in diagnosis and access to services. It highlights the strengths and contributions of Autistic folks while advocating for better support and policy changes. In this module, I have included updated resources, such as videos, research, and real-world data to enhance learning. Participants are prompted to brainstorm solutions for statewide impact. This module is an educational tool for professionals and community members to foster understanding, improve interactions, and advocate for better inclusion and support for autistic individuals across all aspects of society. Read more

Our research project explores end-of-life decision-making in hospitals, focusing on improving communication and accessibility. End-of-life decisions involve choices made by patients, families, and healthcare providers regarding medical treatment and ... care in a person's final stages. These include: - Managing life-sustaining treatments such as ventilators, assistive devices, or resuscitation. -Choosing palliative or hospice care. - Establishing legal directives like living wills and DNR orders. - Designating a healthcare representative to make decisions on one's behalf. Our goal is to identify barriers that make these decisions difficult and develop strategies to ensure that a patient's values, dignity, and comfort remain the priority. In this research, my contributions included studying Advance Care Planning (ACP) directives and palliative care, developing surveys, and conducting patient interviews at the Parkinson's Clinic at the IU Neuroscience Center. Read more

My internship is at The Healthy Sleep for Kids Research Laboratory, and I have been focused on the measurement and treatment of adolescent insomnia. Sleep is crucial for health and daily functioning, and insomnia (i.e., trouble falling asleep or stay ... ing asleep) is very prevalent during adolescence. I acquired proficiency in actigraphs, wrist-watch like devices, to measure sleep patterns for an ongoing Randomized Control Trial called the DREAM IT study, which stands for Designing Realistic Management of Insomnia in Teens. In this study, adolescents with insomnia are randomly assigned to either a treatment condition or a waitlist control condition. Teen sleep is measured via actigraphs before and after treatment and two months after treatment. Teens in the treatment condition receive a teen-friendly version of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. In addition, I have contributed to another study where I have learned to conduct qualitative analysis of teen responses to how they would like their insomnia to be treated. I have reviewed and organized the collected answers in order to identify common themes in teens responses. Across these two studies, I have learned about how insomnia can be measured and treated, which is particularly important for improving the well-being of adolescents. Read more

The Indiana University Psychotic Disorders Program (IUPDP) is a research team dedicated to serving those living with Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders across Indiana. The program offers individualized therapy, encouraging clients to take th ... e lead in their self-reflection, helping to prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. Through ongoing research and collaboration with clients, the IUPDP strives to innovate and improve treatment for all stages of psychosis. Read more

In Tharps lab, our research focuses on targeting the OXA-24 enzyme, which is a key contributor to antibiotic resistance. This enzyme belongs to the class D beta-lactamase family and works by binding to and hydrolyzing antibiotics, ultimately renderin ... g them ineffective. As part of my contribution to this project, I completed a series of PCRs to design a DNA template to express the OXA-24 enzyme. We progressed this research by developing a library of peptide sequences to test possible binders and inhibitors of OXA-24 enzyme. Additionally, potential treatment strategies could involve the use of a beta-lactamase inhibitor alongside an antibiotic to enhance therapeutic efficacy. By identifying a sequence that binds to the enzyme with high precision, its activity will be blocked, which reduces its antibiotic resistance characteristic. Ultimately, this approach has the potential to aid in treatment of antibiotic resistant bacteria and contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat resistant infections. Read more

SARS-CoV-2, first described in 2019, can cause severe illness, with many suffering from persistent respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis or cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP). One explanation is that virus proteins may persist after inf ... ection, continuing to stimulate the immune system and cause inflammation. Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) fluid was collected from patients with chronic pulmonary disease averaging 178 days following severe Covid-19 infection. Preliminary data showed persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels and spike protein in acellular BAL fluid. We hypothesized that persistent RNA and antigens are contained within extracellular vesicles (EVs), providing a protected environment from degradation and allowing persistence. When body tissues are exposed to pathogens, EV production increases, along with the release of proinflammatory markers, leading to further inflammation and disease progression. In our project, we used size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) to isolate EVs from BAL fluid, which were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. These EVs will be further investigated to determine the mechanism by which they stimulate inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms of persistent viral expression and resultant inflammation could lead to treatments for patients with post-Covid pulmonary fibrosis or COP. This model may also apply to other chronic lung diseases post infection. Read more

Our mission is to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and the communities we serve. At the heart of this effort, we focus on improving emergency room care by exploring innovative solutions to enhance the urgent care process. What sets th ... e Department of Emergency Medicine at IU School of Medicine apart is our unique research approach. Unlike traditional methods, we work in a fast-paced environment where patient needs are unpredictable. This requires a quick, efficient screening and enrollment process for our studies. Additionally, we operate using a collaborative "shared model", where all team members contribute to decision-making and problem-solving. This dynamic model allows us to quickly find and approach eligible patients while still conducting valuable research to improve patient care. When you visit my table, you'll learn about the new ways we're transforming emergency care and how our research approach helps us respond effectively to the patients that present in the emergency department. Read more

As a communication and project specialist intern for FSPH career services, I have learned the importance of communication in all formats for the enhancement of my own and others' careers. Every week I was in charge of putting editing the newsletter w ... ter which contained valuable information regarding new job postings, internship opportunities, and relevant events going on. Additionally, I collaborated with many different people within the office to share information about things like graduate outcomes, internship and job searching tips, and advice on "adulting". For each of those projects, I met with various stakeholders for that information to gauge what and how they would like the information to be presented. I also had the chance to be a part of numerous panels and meet with a lot of alumni to discuss all the cool things they are doing in their careers in addition to getting some advice. In my showcase, I will display how communication became the backbone of my internship which allowed me to assist other people as well as advance my own career development. Read more