I was accepted to undertake a 6-week summer internship with the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre where I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Jenna Ziebell and Yasmine Doust looking at changes to the brain after traumatic brain injury. This project focused on a specialised cell in the brain called astrocytes. Astrocytes protect other brain cells from toxic materials and help maintain the healthy brain. After a traumatic brain injury, astrocytes are involved with the response to help heal the brain and restore brain health. There is evidence that there are differences in astrocytes between males and females in the healthy brain. We therefore wanted to explore whether there are biological sex differences in how the astrocytes respond after a traumatic brain injury. Partaking in this experience has given me valuable insight into a working laboratory as well as enabling me to make connections with professionals in the research field.
Throughout my project, I undertook laboratory techniques, including staining brain tissue to look at individual cells under the microscope, as well as image and statistical analyses. The most valuable part, and my favourite aspect of this internship was the insight into a career in Dementia research. I have learnt that research can be challenging but is exceptionally rewarding and this has inspired me to pursue honours and a career in this area. I look forward to furthering this research area as I enter my final year of my undergraduate degree this year.
I would like to thank the Wicking Dementia Centre as well as my supervisors, Jenna and Yasmine, for this exciting opportunity.
Emily Garratt (3rd year Bachelor of Medical Research Student)
