Pictured left to right: Jelani Shadd, Natalia Rak, and Paige Corrigan
DePaul's ongoing partnership with Rosalind Franklin University is helping students in the College of Science and Health broaden their research horizons.
The DePaul-Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) Summer Research Program is a paid opportunity for undergraduate students to work with RFUMS faculty and conduct research in areas such as virology, microbiology, physiology and neuroscience.
This past year, students from the 2023 cohort studied everything from decision-making pathways in the brain to chemical stress responses in the body to the effect of HIV drugs on human kidney cells. Their stories are testament to the profound connection between research and the undergraduate experience at DePaul's College of Science and Health.
Biology major Jelani Shadd never thought he would conduct surgery as an undergraduate student, but that's exactly what he did as part of a summer research project working with and studying the brain tissue of mice.
Shadd's research examined viral expression in the brain tissue of mice who were injected with a rabies-mediated virus to analyze the response of affected neurons and observe pathways involved in decision making. The technique, known as monosynaptic retrograde tracing, is meant to map the 'neural arc' our brains use to encode and process responses to sensory stimuli which become a historical blueprint for future responses and decision making. The experience offered a window to an entirely different field for Shadd.
“Through literature reviews, lab discussions, and practical application, I was able to gain a thorough understanding of neurology and become familiar with the mouse brain anatomy" Shadd said.
Neuroscience student Paige Corrigan had a similar opportunity for discovery by looking at antibody and protein levels in the blood of reproductive care patients and their potential link to infertility. Corrigan examined levels of Metallothionein, a stress response protein with a primary function of binding zinc for storage. The protein plays an important role in pregnancy by delivering zinc to the fetus; however, high levels have also been identified as a risk factor for infertility. The study looked at whether the presence of Metallothionein antibodies correlated with lower levels of the protein in the blood and how such findings could shed light on recurrent pregnancy loss, implantation failure and generalized infertility.
“Since I ran all the experiments, I was able to present the findings, mostly by myself, to a group of other researchers and doctors from the partner clinic and learn how to do so effectively. The last time I presented I got a round of applause with some great feedback" Corrigan shared.
Neuroscience student Natalia Rak's research tested the efficacy of drugs produced in Rosalind Franklin's College of Pharmacy on the inhibition of human kidney cells.
“The goal of the experiment was to compare the inhibition of HIV drugs that harm the kidney with the drugs produced in the chemistry lab" Rak explained.
The study involved the acquisition of new skills and techniques Rak had never used before - some more challenging than others. Rak and the research team used cell cultures, fluorescence, western blotting - which is a method used to identify specific proteins - and mitochondrial isolation from the kidney cells to measure drug toxicity.
“My lab mates were amazing to work with and we pushed each other to do our very best," Rak said. "It was great to connect with people who were studying in the same field as me and it was truly rewarding to gain successful results. I think it is amazing to gain research experience, as it now makes me feel more confident about applying to med schools."
The DePaul-Rosalind Franklin Summer Research Program is just one of the many grant programs and institutional partnerships available at DePaul. Students interested in applying for the program should contact the College of Science and Health's Office of Advising and Student Services for more information.