The Journey of a Black Behavioral Neuroscientist

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Neural Systems & Circuits 2019

admin — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 08:05:38 +0000

Neural systems & Circuits provides students with an understandng of the structure, function, and arrangement of the mammalian nervous system. This course follows the Foundations I course that establishes an understanding of the structure and function of the cellular components involved in the nervous system. In this course, we discussed the mammalian brain, the purpose of the nervous system, regulatory circuits that dictate certain behaviors, and systems that assist with learning and memory. For the lab component of this course, we worked with laboratory rodents which required me becoming CITI certified in mouse husbandry and handling. My lab group and I created an original project analyzing the effects of chronic ethanol consumption using the open field test and the forced swim test to analyze anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors respectively. Our results showed that our experimental mice displayed a trend toward taking longer to perform behavioral assays compared to their wild type littermates. At the end of this project I assisted with the euthanasia and decapitation of the mice following IACUC protocol.

We later presented this research at the Spring Annual Research Conference (SpARC) and the Scotties with Nerves Research Symposium (SwN), both hosted by Agnes Scott College.

ABRCMS & SfN 2019

admin — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 08:04:43 +0000

The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) is a national research conference made up of over 5,000+ scientists at each level of education ranging from undergraduates to postdoctoral students, and program directors/ administrators. The program is designed to promote diversity in the STEM field by including minorities, individuals with disabilities, first-generation, and veterans from all walks of life and corners of the globe. This four-day conference is made up of presentations, exhibit booths, networking opportunities, and concludes with an awards banquet. Conferences such as ABRCMS are essential to the growing world of STEM as the largest professional conference for underrepresented students.

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is the national neuroscience research conference that consists of over 37,000+ scientists from over 95 countries. The conference is a space for individuals of varying levels of education to share their research while exploring a multitude of other disciplines. This five-day conference allows researchers and exhibitors to display novel information and technology that is used to enhance the STEM world. 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of scientists and developers congregating to understand all aspects of the nervous system through lectures, activities, and networking resources. This conference’s purpose is to advance the scientific community while advocating for the field as a whole.

This past summer, my lab and I worked with Dr. Stacey Dutton, my PI, and academic advisor, in collaboration with the Escayg lab at Emory University. Approximately 40% of women report some form of sexual dysfunction and this is increased in women with epilepsy. Because of this we wanted to examine the comorbid relationship between sexual dysfunction and epilepsy. Our project looked at the expression of Scn1a in various brain regions related to reproductive behavior in mouse models of epilepsy. Using an inverse dark/light cycle room, I investigated the receptive behaviors of mutant female mice in the estrous phase. After recording and scoring the behaviors I conducted statistical analysis using Excel. Upon completion of the project, we perfused and harvested the brains of our female mice to practice dissecting and cryo-sectioning. This research was concluded by a poster presentation at the 50th Annual SfN conference and at ABRCMS, where I was 1 of 59 awardees for a presentation award in Neuroscience.

Molecular Biology 2019

admin — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 08:03:55 +0000

Molecular biology explores topics that provide a foundational understanding of a variety of science disciplines. In this course, we discussed transcription, translation, gene expression, proteomics, and much more. We applied our understanding of these topics to cancer biology, plant biology, evolution, and neurobiology. Based on the information learned I am better able to understand how organisms utilize and create molecules necessary for survival. This understanding allows me to analyze and address many intricate aspects of knowledge. The lab component of this course allowed us to create independent research projects to explore different molecular systems impaired in individuals with Rett Syndrome (RTT) and Schizophrenia (SZ). My lab group chose to focus on mitochondrial dysfunction in cells found in patients with RTT and SZ. Our study provided novel information on the function of mitochondria in the two disorders, and along with future research, may provide new therapeutic avenues for researchers to focus on developing more effective treatments for each disorder. Upon completion of this project we each created a manuscript to outline the findings of our research.

We presented this research at the Spring Annual Research Conference (SpARC) and the Scotties with Nerves Research Symposium (SwN), both hosted by Agnes Scott. Our presentation at SwN led to us winning the award for Best Poster!

Strengths

Anastasia Owen — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 08:10:04 +0000

Prior to entering Agnes Scott, all students are required to take the Clifton Strengths Quest test. In taking this assessment and understanding the key aspects that help define who we are as students it also helps us to use our strengths to navigate new spaces. My top 5 strengths are positivity, self-assurance, arranger, individualization, and learner. Although these aspects can stand alone to give insight of who I am, when combined they show the type of person I am at the core.

Positivity

People exceptionally talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

Self-Assurance

People exceptionally talented in the Self-Assurance theme feel confident in their ability to take risks and manage their own lives. They have an inner compass that gives them certainty in their decisions.

Arranger

People exceptionally talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to determine how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.

Individualization

People exceptionally talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how different people can work together productively.

Learner

People exceptionally talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Resident Assistant

admin — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:57:10 +0000

As a Resident Assistant of two years, I am a paraprofessional student staff member of the Office of Residence Life. I am responsible for cultivating a safe and welcoming environment to support and enhance the personal development of the residential community. By working closely with the college and my residents, I maintain a clear and open line of communication regarding the expectations of the college’s residential policies. Through this position, I have strengthened my leadership and problem-solving skills while also becoming more flexible and dedicated to assisting the changing needs of the residential community.

Neuroscience Program Description

admin — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:55:24 +0000

The Neuroscience program at Agnes Scott College uses an interdisciplinary approach to study the nervous system and the structure and function of the brain. This academic program provides a “foundation for understanding the biological, chemical, and psychological principles” necessary to understand the field of neuroscience. Some of the learning outcomes of the Neuroscience major aid students in:

Demonstrating an understanding of research design, data analysis, and critical thinking
Understanding research methods used in neuroscience and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research techniques
Critically evaluating scientific literature
Presenting research findings to peers

Research Statement

admin — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:11:12 +0000

Personal Statement

ABRCMS & SfN 2019

admin — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:43:45 +0000

This fall I had the opportunity to present my summer and semester research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) for the second year in a row! In traveling to ABRCMS I was excited to see this national conference with the understanding of what to expect based on my previous experience, but to also get a new experience as a soon to be graduate looking for programs to transition into the next stage of my life. This year I presented my research looking at sexual dysfunction in female mouse models of epilepsy. At ABRCMS presentations are judged by three judges give a score of 1 (the lowest) to 5 (the highest) and look at the overall content of the research (hypothesis/ methods/ results/ conclusion), the presenter’s skills and abilities to answer questions, and the quality of the presentation. My final judge of the evening was a Biostatistician from Hawaii and he absolutely loved my work! He made a connection with my project and his own previous experience and understanding of female sexual behavior. He explained that he loved the way I introduced the problem and smoothly transitioned through each component of my poster and that he fully understood the content. It made me feel great that my investment in my research was clearly shown in the way I presented and was accessible to those outside of my discipline. This was confirmed the next evening at the Awards Banquet where I won a presentation award! Traveling to ABRCMS I was excited to meet with people I got to know the first time around and to meet new people. During my poster presentation, I had three judges that were excited to hear about my work and the inspiration behind it. After I finished going through my poster with my final judge he told me about his own experience with understanding female’s sex and behavior and how long ago it had been. He stated that he loved the way I introduced the problem and smoothly transitioned through each component of my poster and that he fully understood the content. It made me feel great that my investment in my research was clearly shown in the way I presented. This was confirmed even more the next evening at the Awards Banquet where I won a presentation award in Neuroscience.

Exercise 7: Reflecting on Leadership

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 02:34:35 +0000

Please reflect on and articulate how working toward the first four of the student learning objectives common to all sections of LDR 101 has informed your understanding of leadership or your capacity to lead (250 words minimum).

The first four LDR 101 student learning outcomes are:

Summarize and explain the main ideas of a text, speech, doctrine, principle or belief.
Identify and analyze significant issues, problems, and questions, and evaluate or develop effective responses.
Articulate, compare and judge the strengths and weaknesses of two or more competing arguments about an issue, problem or question, supporting your comparative judgment with appropriate evidence.
Develop, focus and organize ideas concerning a central topic, and create, revise and present these ideas in written, spoken, visual and digital forms using appropriate sources.

I feel that after taking LDR 101 my leadership skills have definitely been enhanced based on the learning outcomes. In response to the first learning outcome, I feel that after this course I am more equipped to be able to receive a complex text and dissect what point is trying to be made. I can take these different forms of information and break them down to my level of understanding and to a point where I can articulate what is being said in my own words. I can also learn a new topic and form a well-developed and intellectual opinion on it and present my views in a written and visual format to express my beliefs and interpretations to others. This outcome is really essential in the development of my leadership skills because it allows me to interpret someone else’s ideas and present them in a way that applies directly to me or in a way that I understand the most and can show just how well my understanding is. In response to the third learning outcome, I can see different viewpoints of conflicting arguments or topics and understand how in their own way they are correct. I am better able to see these different ideas and understand how they can be applied in certain situations whether I agree with them or not. Overall, LDR 101 has had a substantial impact on my leadership skills and communication skills, two aspects that I feel go hand in hand. I have gotten better at expressing my opinion and contributing to group discussions and even sometimes facilitating them.