Nt1310 Unit 1 Research Application Essay Sample

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Research My first research experience took place from the Fall 2012 – Summer 2013 in a neurobiology laboratory (Dr. Daniel Plas) focused on Parkinson’s Disease. In this project an undergrad student and I were tasked with optimizing a cellular medium for neural growth of the model organism Lymnaea stagnalis. This was comprised of following established protocols and altering certain variables within the formulas (differing concentrations of ions, pH, et al.) to observe growth pattern differences in vitro. During the summer of 2013 I began a project with my Physics Department in the field of nuclear science under the guidance of Dr. Mohammad Hannan. The project, an analysis of samples from a local canal via Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), was a joint investigation between The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) and The University of California Irvine (UCI). A …show more content…

For my first choice host laboratory, Oak-Ridge National Lab, I would be highly interested in potentially being able to work with the Spallation Neutron Source or the High-Flux Isotope Reactor for the use of biologically relevant applications. After reading and studying about these state of the art facilities for so long, I’m sure the experience of utilizing them for myself for scientific research would be an unforgettable one that I would carry into my career as a scientist. In particular, the work accomplished within the nuclear medicine group at ORNL has captured my interest for its multidisciplinary nature and its significant discoveries/advances in human health research. Additionally, I would be interested in working with the Center for Structural Molecular Biology in any way I could. The use of neutrons to characterize biological structure is an amazing phenomenon that I would hope to firsthand see and

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