My name is Alexia, and I am a neuroscience and behavioral biology major working in Dr. Weinshenker’s lab studying the role of a brain region called the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer’s disease. The locus coeruleus projects to nearly every brain region, and is the brain's primary source of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in stress responses, attention, arousal, and learning and memory. My current research project uses a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease to investigate the impact of locus coeruleus denegation on pathology and behavior in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.
I first got involved in research during spring semester of my freshman year. I found Dr. Weinshenker's lab on the neuroscience department website and emailed him to ask about research opportunities. During this search to join a lab, I was advised to look for a lab that prioritized student learning and growth. I am grateful for the mentorship I have received while working in Dr. Weinshenker's lab, and for the positive environment that supports student growth.
Personal experiences with family members with Alzheimer's disease sparked my interest in studying neurodegenerative disorders. I did not learn about the locus coeruleus and its role in neurodegenerative diseases until I joined Dr. Weinshenker's lab, but I find it fascinating how such a small brain structure can have such a profound impact on such a wide range of functions. Over the summer, I interned in Dr. Patricia Jensen's lab at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, where I worked on a project studying the development of locus coeruleus neurons. It was exciting to see the connections between the work being done in these two labs.
Research is a great way to apply what you learn in class to real-world problems and gain a deeper understanding of the topics you read about in textbooks and hear about in lectures. In addition to helping me develop a deeper understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system, being involved in research has also helped me further develop my problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management skills. My current goals are to complete an honors thesis next year continuing my current project investigating the role of the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer’s disease. I hope to eventually earn my PhD in neuroscience and pursue a career in research studying neurodegenerative disorders.
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