Mentor Name:
Michelle Schober
Mentor Position:
Associate Professor
Department:
Pediatrics
College:
Medicine
Email:
michelle.schober@hsc.utah.edu
Project Description:
We use controlled cortical impact in rat pups to model pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). We test effects of a fish oil component (DHA) on functional and anatomic outcomes after TBI. We seek volunteers to help with conducting Morris Water maze, novel object and live magnetic resonance imaging. 1st surgery 9/12 and 13 for 40 male rats followed by MWM, NOR and MRI for male rats ending November 12 or so. DEC 5 and 7 surgery for 40 female rats, then followed by MWM NOR and MRI ending around feb 6 2023
This is an in-person research position.
Opportunity Type:
Volunteer; Prepare a UROP proposal; Write an Honors Thesis or Senior Thesis; Earn independent study credit
Student Role:
handling rats, placing them in the NOR and/or MWM testing areas, timing their performance, using software, helping anesthetize and monitor rats for MRI, organize data in excel
Student Benefits:
authorship potential on publications, possible poster for OUR if hours suffice, CV listing of skills and experience, shadowing Dr. Schober in PICU
Project Duration:
the specific rat testing duration defined above, the project itself is set for at least 3 years, ideal if student can work 10-15 hrs per week for MWM NOR and/or MRI times
Minimum Requirements:
reliability, IACUC (animal protocol) application and adherence to principles of ethical animal management, team work