Proposal
Honors Experiential Learning Project Proposal Form – Research
Basic Information
Name: Trisha Tee
UC ID: M04302110
UC E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (614) 361 – 9377
College: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS)
Major: Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Med
Project Title: CCHMC/UC COM Biomedical Research Mentoring Program
Expected Start Date: Spring Quarter 2011
Expected End Date: Summer Quarter 2011 (potentially longer)
Project Information
1. Provide a brief overview of your proposed honors experiential learning project.
I plan to participate in the Biomedical Research Mentoring Program beginning spring quarter of 2011. I will be mentored by Michael Tranter and Lauren Haar, post-doctoral fellow and senior graduate student respectively, from Dr. Keith Jones’ lab in the cardiovascular department of the Medical Sciences Building (MSB). The Jones lab is primarily focused on understanding the genetics behind factors that affect the survival and death of cardiac muscle cells following a myocardial infarction, otherwise known as a heart attack
There are two specific projects I will have the opportunity to work on. Lauren’s project investigates high fat diets as a cardioprotective measure. A mouse model is used to look at different genes regulated by the transcription factor NF-kB before and after an induced heart attack. Mike’s project is similar in that it explores cardioprotective measures, however his work is centered around ischemic pre-conditioning; specifically, he investigates how the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA transcripts by miRNAs and alternative polyadenylation contributes to cardiac pathology.
The first quarter I am in the program will be dedicated to learning and mastering basic lab skills that can later be applied to more difficult and project-specific techniques. For both particular projects, these techniques include cell cultures, genotyping, western blotting, pipetting, cDNA isolation, and PCR. Additionally I will have opportunities to shadow, observe mouse surgeries and echocardiograms, and take part in other lab procedures. Moving into the summer quarter, I am going to concentrate more on Lauren’s project with the high fat diet. My specific side project will be to analyze the gene sequence of high fat fed mice. I will do this by isolating the mice hearts, extracting the mRNA from the cells, converting the mRNA to cDNA, and using RT-PCR to analyze the genes. The purpose of these experiments is to determine what genes are being turned on and off and to analyze what exactly is affecting those specific genes. In addition to conducting research, I will also be studying various biology-related topics outside of the lab, participating in weekly lab meetings to demonstrate progress, participating in journal club where various science journals are read and comprehended, and attending professional seminars to further expand and apply my knowledge of research.
2. Clearly state how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work.
a. Substantial Content and Quality within Research Theme
During the spring quarter, I will be dedicating 15 – 20 hours each week to researching in the lab; during the summer, I will be working from 10 to 5pm. Outside of class work, my participation in this program will be my number one priority. I will be learning techniques and skills that will be applicable to future research lab projects, including potentially my own independent project. Topics I learn in lecture will be applicable for research and solving real-world problems. This research opportunity allows me to gain valuable insight regarding modern day sciences, and gives me a chance to gain experiences I would normally have not been able to do. In addition to lab time, I will also be studying topics related to the projects including molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, I will have opportunities to attend professional seminars and speaker series. I will be able to broaden my network by meeting other fellow undergraduate researchers, as well as speaking with prestigious students, professors, and doctorates within the research community. This program encompasses much more than just the research aspect; it is a unique learning experience that will allow me to develop life skills in addition to general science knowledge that will benefit me in the long run.
b. Connection to Academic Goals and Theories
My interest in the biomedical sciences first developed after listening to my history teacher, who is a bilateral amputee, speak in my psychology class my senior year of high school. He described in detail how the freak accident occurred, and went on to explain the various components of his prosthetics, as well as the psychological and physical effects of being an amputee. I can confidently say that he was one of the main reasons I decided to major in biomedical engineering upon coming to UC.
Currently, my plan is to graduate from UC with a B.S in engineering and continue my education either in grad school or med school. I fully intend on acquiring at least an M.D or a Ph.D, however I have also considered the possibility of partaking in a joint M.D/Ph.D program. My career goal is to work either as a surgical oncologist at a children’s hospital or as a researcher at the Center for Disease Control. I hope to have the opportunity to work with successful oncologists, doctors, and research scientists; but most of all, I hope to make a difference. I wish to make full use of my education and knowledge to help people by practicing medicine and advancing science. My experiences through the program will put me ahead of other students and give me a competitive edge; it is a stepping stone for me as I work to achieve my goals.
c. Initiative, Independence, and Creativity
To reiterate, the first quarter will be mostly dedicated to learning the basics and mastering different techniques that will eventually give rise to more complex and project-specific skills. The majority of my time will be spent working under the mentors, assisting them, and practicing. However, that is not to say that I will be entirely dependent. With my inexperience, it will be my responsibility to ask questions, and find my own answers whenever possible. This will require me to check out related textbooks, find answers online, and analyze my own research results. Although I will be technically working under a mentor, the full extent of my progress is based on the work I put in. By having a strong foundation and thoroughly learning the basics, I will be able to potentially pursue my own project and take charge of my own experiments during the following summer quarter. Having my own project will require me to think analytically, as well as creatively. I will need to be able to consider different possible solutions, create my own lab protocols, and share the results and progress accordingly.
d. Reflection and Dissemination
This is an important aspect of the learning experience. A huge part of research is about analyzing the results of the experiments and transferring it into a report or presentation that can be shared with fellow colleagues, doctors, and research scientists. The goal of most research projects is to reach publication; this serves to spread ideas, inspire future questions, solve unanswered mysteries, and ultimately to reach out to the public and educate them about the advancement of science. I will keep careful notes of my progress and record each part of the research learning process. Each week at the Jones lab there is a department meeting for all the researchers to come together and share their specific projects and open up the floor to constructive criticism, questions, and discussion. I intend on attending as many meetings as I can and ideally having some of my own work to present in the future. I also am participating in the annual undergraduate research symposium, and creating a detailed presentation that will carefully explain and elaborate upon my work. An additional reflective essay will also go beyond the facts and numbers, and allow me to show what I have learned through my learning experiences on a more personal and emotional level. Lastly, I am also keen on sharing my stories and experiences to future undergraduates in order to encourage them to extend beyond their comfort zones, try something new, and to inform them of the many benefits of research.
e. Advisor
Michael Tranter, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way
CVC 3958, ML 0575
Cincinnati, OH 45267
E-mail: [email protected]
Lauren Haar
Graduate Student
Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way
CVC 3958, ML 0575
Cincinnati, OH 45267
E-mail: [email protected]
f. Budget
This proposal serves as an application for an honors grant. By taking on this project, I will be committing the majority of my time to working and learning in the lab, therefore my outside work hours will be cut.I understand that the grant will be awarded in the form of a scholarship towards the 2012-13 school year; nonetheless, it will help greatly in offsetting the various costs: rent, food, gas, and miscellaneous expenses.
Summer quarter:
Rent: $1275 ($375/month + utilities)
Food: $350
Transportation: $200
Personal: $200
Gym Membership: $80
Total: $2105
Basic Information
Name: Trisha Tee
UC ID: M04302110
UC E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (614) 361 – 9377
College: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS)
Major: Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Med
Project Title: CCHMC/UC COM Biomedical Research Mentoring Program
Expected Start Date: Spring Quarter 2011
Expected End Date: Summer Quarter 2011 (potentially longer)
Project Information
1. Provide a brief overview of your proposed honors experiential learning project.
I plan to participate in the Biomedical Research Mentoring Program beginning spring quarter of 2011. I will be mentored by Michael Tranter and Lauren Haar, post-doctoral fellow and senior graduate student respectively, from Dr. Keith Jones’ lab in the cardiovascular department of the Medical Sciences Building (MSB). The Jones lab is primarily focused on understanding the genetics behind factors that affect the survival and death of cardiac muscle cells following a myocardial infarction, otherwise known as a heart attack
There are two specific projects I will have the opportunity to work on. Lauren’s project investigates high fat diets as a cardioprotective measure. A mouse model is used to look at different genes regulated by the transcription factor NF-kB before and after an induced heart attack. Mike’s project is similar in that it explores cardioprotective measures, however his work is centered around ischemic pre-conditioning; specifically, he investigates how the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA transcripts by miRNAs and alternative polyadenylation contributes to cardiac pathology.
The first quarter I am in the program will be dedicated to learning and mastering basic lab skills that can later be applied to more difficult and project-specific techniques. For both particular projects, these techniques include cell cultures, genotyping, western blotting, pipetting, cDNA isolation, and PCR. Additionally I will have opportunities to shadow, observe mouse surgeries and echocardiograms, and take part in other lab procedures. Moving into the summer quarter, I am going to concentrate more on Lauren’s project with the high fat diet. My specific side project will be to analyze the gene sequence of high fat fed mice. I will do this by isolating the mice hearts, extracting the mRNA from the cells, converting the mRNA to cDNA, and using RT-PCR to analyze the genes. The purpose of these experiments is to determine what genes are being turned on and off and to analyze what exactly is affecting those specific genes. In addition to conducting research, I will also be studying various biology-related topics outside of the lab, participating in weekly lab meetings to demonstrate progress, participating in journal club where various science journals are read and comprehended, and attending professional seminars to further expand and apply my knowledge of research.
2. Clearly state how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work.
a. Substantial Content and Quality within Research Theme
During the spring quarter, I will be dedicating 15 – 20 hours each week to researching in the lab; during the summer, I will be working from 10 to 5pm. Outside of class work, my participation in this program will be my number one priority. I will be learning techniques and skills that will be applicable to future research lab projects, including potentially my own independent project. Topics I learn in lecture will be applicable for research and solving real-world problems. This research opportunity allows me to gain valuable insight regarding modern day sciences, and gives me a chance to gain experiences I would normally have not been able to do. In addition to lab time, I will also be studying topics related to the projects including molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, I will have opportunities to attend professional seminars and speaker series. I will be able to broaden my network by meeting other fellow undergraduate researchers, as well as speaking with prestigious students, professors, and doctorates within the research community. This program encompasses much more than just the research aspect; it is a unique learning experience that will allow me to develop life skills in addition to general science knowledge that will benefit me in the long run.
b. Connection to Academic Goals and Theories
My interest in the biomedical sciences first developed after listening to my history teacher, who is a bilateral amputee, speak in my psychology class my senior year of high school. He described in detail how the freak accident occurred, and went on to explain the various components of his prosthetics, as well as the psychological and physical effects of being an amputee. I can confidently say that he was one of the main reasons I decided to major in biomedical engineering upon coming to UC.
Currently, my plan is to graduate from UC with a B.S in engineering and continue my education either in grad school or med school. I fully intend on acquiring at least an M.D or a Ph.D, however I have also considered the possibility of partaking in a joint M.D/Ph.D program. My career goal is to work either as a surgical oncologist at a children’s hospital or as a researcher at the Center for Disease Control. I hope to have the opportunity to work with successful oncologists, doctors, and research scientists; but most of all, I hope to make a difference. I wish to make full use of my education and knowledge to help people by practicing medicine and advancing science. My experiences through the program will put me ahead of other students and give me a competitive edge; it is a stepping stone for me as I work to achieve my goals.
c. Initiative, Independence, and Creativity
To reiterate, the first quarter will be mostly dedicated to learning the basics and mastering different techniques that will eventually give rise to more complex and project-specific skills. The majority of my time will be spent working under the mentors, assisting them, and practicing. However, that is not to say that I will be entirely dependent. With my inexperience, it will be my responsibility to ask questions, and find my own answers whenever possible. This will require me to check out related textbooks, find answers online, and analyze my own research results. Although I will be technically working under a mentor, the full extent of my progress is based on the work I put in. By having a strong foundation and thoroughly learning the basics, I will be able to potentially pursue my own project and take charge of my own experiments during the following summer quarter. Having my own project will require me to think analytically, as well as creatively. I will need to be able to consider different possible solutions, create my own lab protocols, and share the results and progress accordingly.
d. Reflection and Dissemination
This is an important aspect of the learning experience. A huge part of research is about analyzing the results of the experiments and transferring it into a report or presentation that can be shared with fellow colleagues, doctors, and research scientists. The goal of most research projects is to reach publication; this serves to spread ideas, inspire future questions, solve unanswered mysteries, and ultimately to reach out to the public and educate them about the advancement of science. I will keep careful notes of my progress and record each part of the research learning process. Each week at the Jones lab there is a department meeting for all the researchers to come together and share their specific projects and open up the floor to constructive criticism, questions, and discussion. I intend on attending as many meetings as I can and ideally having some of my own work to present in the future. I also am participating in the annual undergraduate research symposium, and creating a detailed presentation that will carefully explain and elaborate upon my work. An additional reflective essay will also go beyond the facts and numbers, and allow me to show what I have learned through my learning experiences on a more personal and emotional level. Lastly, I am also keen on sharing my stories and experiences to future undergraduates in order to encourage them to extend beyond their comfort zones, try something new, and to inform them of the many benefits of research.
e. Advisor
Michael Tranter, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way
CVC 3958, ML 0575
Cincinnati, OH 45267
E-mail: [email protected]
Lauren Haar
Graduate Student
Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way
CVC 3958, ML 0575
Cincinnati, OH 45267
E-mail: [email protected]
f. Budget
This proposal serves as an application for an honors grant. By taking on this project, I will be committing the majority of my time to working and learning in the lab, therefore my outside work hours will be cut.I understand that the grant will be awarded in the form of a scholarship towards the 2012-13 school year; nonetheless, it will help greatly in offsetting the various costs: rent, food, gas, and miscellaneous expenses.
Summer quarter:
Rent: $1275 ($375/month + utilities)
Food: $350
Transportation: $200
Personal: $200
Gym Membership: $80
Total: $2105
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