Aug 31
6:36 am
After our didactic session last night, we went out to dinner with Dr. Rudolph and a few Geriatrics Fellows. I just finished my first year of medical school, so I have only rarely had the opportunity to interact with Fellows, especially in a social setting. I found it really helpful to get the chance to talk to them. We pumped them all for their stories about how they decided to go into the field (nicely, of course). Hearing their perspective was helpful, since they had just recently made the decision to pursue geriatrics and could give…
Aug 30
6:12 am
It was a beautiful Monday morning today in San Diego, California. I was able to get a lot of work done today. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease that significantly impacts the quality of life of approximately 48 million people in the US and unfortunately most of this population is of geriatric age. I have learned that mitochondria plays a central role in many theories of cellular aging, therefore I will be looking at mitochondria and aging as it relates to osteoarthritis. This morning upon my arrival to the lab, I had two papers waiting for me. The first suggested recommendations…
Aug 29
5:58 am
This summer, I am working on a lab project that investigates the mechanism of prostate cancer metastasis to bone. I hope to focus on gaining information to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with prostate cancer, a disease that commonly affects many aging men. I am working with Dr. Alice Levine to examine a marker of prostate cancer, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and how this compound affects prostate cancer metastasis to bone. At this point, Dr. Levine and I have formulated two hypotheses on this mechanism, both involving RANKL signaling (a major mediator of bone growth and metastases), but differing in…
Aug 26
9:37 pm
Although I have been heavily involved in clinical research in the past, this is the first time that I am working with researchers to develop a manuscript, which will be the end product of the program. I have very little knowledge about writing manuscripts and have been busy figuring out how to approach it. Fortunately, my mentors and some students in the program are familiar with the in’s and out’s of writing these types of papers, and their advice has been really helpful in clearing up some of my confusion. But there is still a lot…
Aug 25
9:24 am
The first thing I noticed from the door of the patient’s room was her little feet sticking out from under the covers; I will always remember her sheer will and grace. She was slight; I suspected 5 feet tall in her prime. Even in sickness she put on a strong front and a smile for her family. Following several chemo treatments she wore a wig that never would sit quite straight while laying in that hospital bed. I learned from one of her sons that she was a woman of great faith and later heard about her gratitude when…
Aug 24
7:50 am
At the end of her annual follow up session at the Einstein Aging Study, M looks at me through thick-lensed glasses and tells me in a wavering voice that she is always amazed at the things she can remember and the puzzles that she can solve at her age of 90. In particular, she finds the Block Design Test, where she must take blocks that have all white sides, all red sides, and half red-half white sides and arrange them according to a pattern, particularly challenging and enjoyable even though she has done them in previous years. She goes to pick…
Aug 23
3:08 pm
My days with the MSTAR program have thus far began in the lab, at 8 o’clock sharp. When I enter the lab I invariably find the researcher that I work with most closely, Dr. Sarkar, already engrossed in a scientific journal or news article on his computer. When I come in he quickly finishes and we set about our work, analyzing pre- and post-synaptic ion channel changes related to Alzheimer’s disease, which ties in with the lab’s overall goal of discovering neuroprotective estrogens. The work involves immunochemical assays and western blots, among other things, which…
Aug 22
6:24 am
I have settled into my homey little cubicle here at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. A sign graces my door/entrance and reads, “Lori Myers, MS2 MSTAR Scholar.” I feel so official. I have a stapler, an office phone, an array of colorful pens, and even my own roll of tape. I have yet to use my tape, but I can see it in my peripheral vision just begging to stick something to something. In the meantime, it contributes to my “official” office experience. I am here every day from about 9-5, 8-4, or…
Aug 18
1:14 pm
“Why geriatrics?” is a question I get a lot. My compassionate side answers with an explanation of the fulfillment that comes with helping the elderly to achieve health or relieve pain. My practical side, however, thinks about the disparity between the aging Baby Boomer population and the shortage of geriatricians. The truth, however, is far more selfish. Why geriatrics? Well that’s easy— the patient’s are entertaining! When I think about some of my favorite pastimes—reading, visiting with friends, watching movies, people watching— common to all of them is their ability…
Aug 17
9:46 pm
Today I am starting my fourth week of my MSTAR experience. This puts me at about the half-way mark of my 8 week stint. Thus far I have enjoyed my time and really appreciate this opportunity. Prior to this summer, I had no research exposure or experience. I decided to apply for the MSTAR program because I would be able to be exposed to the research aspect of medicine while further exploring my interests in aging. At my home campus, I was able to find a physician/researcher who was doing work in two areas I am interested in: aging and…
Aug 16
1:10 pm
I just finished the first three weeks of the program and it has been nothing but a positive experience thus far. I have helped conduct research as a volunteer in this laboratory before and thus have become reacquainted to many old faces, which is always nice, and have taken a step forward in the laboratory as someone who actually has their own project as opposed to being an aid in others. I am completing my MSTAR project in a clinical biomechanics laboratory associated with the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The focus of…
Aug 15
8:31 am
A few weeks into my summer project, and I officially have a better understanding of the true nature of this process that we call “research.” Unfortunately, my initiation into this world comes with an agonizing wait for that elusive entity known as “IRB approval” to allow my project to proceed beyond background research into the prospective collection of data. However, I cannot complain as this time has afforded me the opportunity to prepare more fully to undertake the data collection as well as increase my knowledge of the topic, geriatric pain management in the ED. As…
Aug 12
6:01 am
My first several weeks in the MSTAR program have been an amazing introduction to the field of geriatrics. On my first day, my mentor at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Care Center, Dr. Jeremy Walston, explained the basic causes of frailty in older individuals and how his lab investigated components leading to this outcome. I appreciated Dr. Walston taking the time out of his busy schedule to explain the reasoning behind the different projects in his lab and how these would help improve our understanding of frailty. During my first few weeks as an MSTAR student, I learned new lab techniques,…
Aug 11
11:07 am
During my first week and a half in my mentor's laboratory and clinic, I have been able to shadow Dr. Zhang in his ophthalmology clinic as he sees patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic maculopathy, two diseases that affect the geriatric population. Recent treatment advances target the growth of new blood vessels underneath the retina by blocking the effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). In the last decade, as these anti-VEGF intraocular injections have been studied, clinicians have begun to wonder why certain patients react to treatment with large reversals of their vision loss, while others seem…
Aug 10
7:24 am
I am currently involved in two different projects – I am collecting and organizing data for a study on the cognitive status of patients with heart failure and their adherence to medications, and doing data analysis for a study on injuries and illnesses that occur in patients with cardiovascular problems. Both research projects aim to answer questions about patients’ ability to adhere to their treatment regimens for heart disease. For some patients this can be very difficult, and one of the important questions I’ll be looking at is whether it is even more difficult for patients as…
Aug 09
1:41 pm
I arrived at the lab early on this particular morning, and I was already sweating from the muggy Pittsburgh summer. Although my involvement in the MR HYPER (mister hyper) project mostly involves behind-the-scenes data analysis, I had the opportunity this morning to see for myself how the data is collected. Today's subject, a middle-aged female, came bustling through the door about 20 minutes late. Being in a hurry didn't help either. MR HYPER compares brain aging in prehypertensive people with normotensives. Measuring blood pressure accurately is crux of the project, meaning that she would have to sit calmly for…
Aug 08
8:04 am
Hello! I’m Jamie Sparling and I just finished my first year at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). This summer, I am completing an MSTAR research project in the lab of Dr. Angela Jefferson of the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center (ADC) and participating in the educational component at Harvard Medical School. I’m wrapping up my third week of the program, so I’ve been able to get settled fairly well here at the ADC. I had participated in the ADC’s PAIRS (Partnering in Alzheimer’s Instruction Research Study) program,…
Aug 05
7:40 am
Last night, I was trying to decide what I should look over before my geriatrics rotation. I made a list of the common medical conditions that I associate with older patients: dementia, arthritis, broken hips, cancer, heart disease. As I looked at this list, I immediately realized that there was no obvious section of my old study guides, class notes, or textbooks that would cover most of these topics. We were introduced to some of the basic principles of cancer in our biochemistry class, broken hips came up in anatomy, we learned a little about arthritis during our radiology unit,…
Aug 04
8:24 am
I am almost two full weeks into my summer MSTAR at UMass Medical School. I have made great headway on the project, which focuses on the cognitive status and behavior of heart failure patients following acute symptom onset. I am very excited to explore my interests in geriatrics in the domain of epidemiological research. Having recently completed the cardiovascular course block at the end of my first year, I am also eager to apply my clinical and basic science background in heart failure to a study that will enhance the understanding and treatment of this condition. This summer marks several …
Aug 02
11:34 am
This is my second week working as an MSTAR student. Fortunately, the only obstacles I have faced so far are administrative. I am almost through the maze of administration required to have an employee ID, access to the office, access to the computers, and access to the chart system. Everyone is the office has been so welcoming and friendly. They truly operate with a team based mentality in every aspect of work, research, and practice. At this point, I am putting the finishing touches on my Access database, which I will be using to take data for my project. I…
Aug 02
11:32 am
I arrived today in the lab at 7:00am. In my undergraduate research, my PI was a PhD researcher who had no preference for what time we arrived to the lab, as long as the work was done. I guess that is one of the differences I have encountered working with this group of doctors, specifically surgeons, who have always started the work day at a significantly earlier hour. Being mentally focused and present this early in the morning has not been easy, but I am growing accustomed to it. Arriving in the lab, I say good morning to at least…
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