I'm such a nerd

One of the benefits of study abroad programs is the chance to take advantage of unique opportunities that are not normally offered in the classroom.  Not only do you learn in the classroom: you get to experience new cultures, learn how to become a professional traveler, and even learn about the different academic cultures in research and medicine across the globe. This semester I was able to have some of these unique experiences though the Honors VTPP 435 and BMEN 400 classes. 

            As part of my honors experience I was fortunate enough to be able to visit two very interesting research settings in the realm of neuroscience. My first experience was at the Bonn Uniklinikum with neuropsychologist, Dr. Catherine Windmann in which she gave insight into her daily research and how it can affect patients. The second opportunity to experience research abroad was at the Center of Advanced European Study and Research (CAESAR) Institute where cutting edge technology and research was explained and displayed.

            The experience at the Uniklinikum with Dr. Windmann was a good way to be introduced to the practices in clinical research. Dr. Windmann was kind enough to give us a background on herself and her lab before actually performing some of the neuropsychological tests on myself and the accompanying honors student. The tests primarily targeted the learning and memory processes of the brain. The patients are subject to learning new patterns with various tasks, recalling long-term information such as types of animals, as well as short term tasks such as remembering words and numbers after a few minutes and even immediately after their introduction. Dr. Windmann primarily does research on patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. From her data she can interpret which brain structures may be damaged. My fellow student and I got to see Dr. Windmann’s research in action by observing an interview with an elderly patient. The interview turned out to be a very interesting case, and it provided a great window into the field of clinical research in general and the types of patient interactions that might occur.

            The visit to the CAESAR Institute was a very rewarding and eye-opening experience.  The CAESAR institute is affiliated with the Max Planck Society, one of the most prestigious research organizations in Germany.  A fellow student and myself were fortunate enough to learn about the Brain and Behavior Organization Department at CAESAR from the department head himself, Dr. Jason Kerr. The research they perform is absolutely exquisite and on the cutting edge of neuroscience. One of the researchers in the department, Dr. Jürgen Sawinski, has developed a cutting edge two-photon microscope that weighs only 8 grams. The small size of the microscope allows it to be placed on the top of testing animals to monitor cortical activity during free-roaming experiments. The lab has focused their attention on analyzing the eye movements of rodents in conjunction with analyzing their cortical activity to understand the primitive decision making processes associated with predation and other stimuli.

During our visit we were fortunate enough to get to tour the entire facility and learn about CASEAR as a whole before going to the Brain and Behavior Organization Department. The experience really put a perspective on international research and its differences from the traditional academic research setting I have been exposed to. Within the Brain and Behavior Organization Department we got to speak with Dr. Kerr about the purpose and goals of the lab and the different technologies they have developed. We also got to see some of the research up close with 4 different scientists explaining their specific research and showing us the individual lab set-ups.

The experiences at the Uniklinikum and CASEAR was undoubtedly some of the most rewarding experiences this semester. Not only was I able to see first hand what clinical research with neurodegenerative patients looks like, but I also learned so much about international research culture and the technologies other countries are developing to contribute to science. I have walked away from these experiences having learned so much and with a heightened motivation to pursue a career in neurological research, whether that be in America or abroad.