Written by Alexander Rose, BS candidate, University of Missouri – Kansas City, and participant in the 2024 Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program
In my time in the Summer Research Program – Aging and Neurological Diseases Track, I have been introduced to many individuals who are all adept in their respective fields. To better inform our cohort for our research efforts. the program brings in professionals in aging such as Professor Brian Carpenter, PhD, an expert on aging and its effects.
I also elected to enroll in the Summer Program for Integrative Neuroimaging (SPIN), a summer course provided by the Mallinckrodt Institute for Radiology. This program has connected me with Director Tamara Hershey, PhD and her research into the link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. It has allowed me to gain more experience in the basics of MRI, taught by Professor Joshua Shimoney, MD, PhD.
My research mentor, Assistant Professor Brian Gordon, PhD, with whom I am working in the Gordon Neuroimaging Lab, has been beneficial in expanding my knowledge and capabilities in research and the sciences. In his lab, Alzheimer’s disease is the main focus of study, which I am assisting with through graduate students and analytical programming. My project for the summer is closer to my desired focus and revolves around a possible link between cardiovascular health and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. I have been enjoying a full-time role going between these opportunities, and learning all the information that I possibly could, to be the most prepared for my career aspirations, and the two poster presentations that I will be participating in upon the conclusion of the course and program respectfully.
PhD candidate, Taylor Pederson, has also helped to guide my research question to be more attainable, and better focused with the other research conducted in the Gordon Neuroimaging Lab. Along with this, she also orchestrated a small acknowledgement of my birthday by the lab, which happened to fall during my time here. She helped me to understand the significance of Amyloid-ß peptide clearance from the brain and how it relates to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. From this understanding, I have narrowed my view to a more concise understanding of the formation of Alzheimer’s disease and its relation to cardiovascular health. Continuing into my time at WashU this summer, I am very hopeful to gain a further understanding of the Framingham Risk Score, and how I can calculate said score to better predict the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease development in study participants.
I would like to thank the Institute for Public Health, the Mallinckrodt Insitute for Radiology, Gordon Neuroimaging Lab, the Summer Research Program – Aging and Neurological disease Track, the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, along with all the wonderful people who have helped to make my learning experiences here a reality. I hope to keep in touch with as many of these individuals as possible to continue being a part of the wonderful work being conducted here at WashU.