Skip to main content

Wave Goodbye

Can't believe that this is it. Nine months have flown by, and now I hold a masters degree. It was truly a pleasure getting to know each of my classmates and the pharmacology faculty. The last month was filled with presentations and studying for Cell Control exams. I had the pleasure of presenting how both long term- and short term stress can have an impact on memory. In short, acute stressors help enhance memory by mechanisms that are still not quite understood. Conversely, long term stress will have the opposite effect. This is seen in patients with Cushing's disease who often complain of frequent forgetfulness or a lack of memory retention. 
In neuropharmacology, I discussed ketamine’s role in treating PTSD. Ketamine is a drug we encountered several time through out the year. Its main therapeutic action is to act as a sedative for anesthesia. However, subtherapeutic doses have been shown to enhance memory by increasing BDNF leaves which can be reduced from cortisol release. At the  optimal subtherapeutic dose of 15 mg/kg, we see an enhanced reversal of PTSD-like symptoms. Exceeding this dose, on a molecular level there is also a change in gene expression but we begin to see slight sedative effects which suggested that ketamine must be delivered at a specific dose for PTSD treatment.
Lastly, my presentation for environmental signaling, I discussed how decomposition of the postmortem body which has been preserved with formaldehyde causes pollution to the soil and water we consume. The amount of energy spent and the chemicals used for the burial and embalming process alone causes an environmental hazard, and we as a people should find alternative route for burial. More “green” options include shrouded the body with biodegradable materials and opting out of the embalming process to reduce chemicals in the soil or to consider alkaline hydrolysis (a green cremation). 
Although my efforts have come to an end with the pharmacology program, I am definitely not done as I embark on the road less traveled now that MCAT studies will begin to take off. Once again, it has truly been a pleasure and I am grateful to have been afforded this opportunity.

 April hours: 0

 Semester hours: 27

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February

The month of February, I utilized my days studying for our last two Med Pharm modules prior to the Shelf Exam. Its unbelievable that we have made it this close to the end of the academic year already.  The last two modules were neurology and psychopharmacology. Neurology studies the various disorders of the brain that are usually caused by a deficiency or lack of function in neurotransmitters such as Parkinson’s disease, seizures, etc. Psychology studies how the mind works; our lectures focused on how neurotransmitters were defected in psych conditions like schizophrenia, major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, etc.  From a pharmacological standpoint, targeting the majority of the disorders require agonizing or antagonizing a particular receptor at the synapse. The vast selectivity of the drugs are due to the different types of receptors within different neurons that only respond to particular neurotransmitters. I had the pleasure to discuss the manifestat...
Post a Comment
Read more

The KIPP Experience

I signed up to be apart of KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program which is a public school system that serves New Orleans (along with other states). One of the main goals for KIPP New Orleans is setting their students up for success by exposing the students early on to college-prep which is why they target college students to set the bar for such an expectation. I favored this idea because I personally understand the impact a school and a strong support system can have on a child’s perspective toward education. Over the last month, my classmates and I helped to make the school more efficient by redoing bulletin boards and making them more presentable after damage during hallway commotion. We helped stock supplies and reorganize utility storages. Lastly, and my most favorite part was the interaction with the children. I was able to participate with them during recess and get to know them better. I personally feel like this is fulfilling of the schools mission. Octob...
Post a Comment
Read more

Giving Thanks

KIPP During my ongoing service with KIPP, I continue to be of assistance with helping to keep the school functioning smoothly in any area needed. Several of my classmates and I distributed the boxes of imported textbooks to each teacher’s classroom and stocked the school supplies in the school’s storage closets. We also updated the schools fire drill and natural disaster protocols and posted them in each classroom. KIPP hours: 9 Old Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church Over the Thanksgiving break, I went back home where I helped with my church’s annual “Give Back” service. It is done during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to feed and clothe those in need. Food was prepared the night before Thanksgiving by various members of the church. The morning of plates was prepared and handed out to anyone in need of a meal. Hours: 6 November’s Total: 15 hours Semester's Total: 24 hours
Post a Comment
Read more