Functions of gustatory afferent neuron types

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ABSTRACT This is an application for a Research Supplement to support the participation of Ms. Kathleen Depina, B.A., a very bright and enthusiastic scientist who also happens to be Black. Ms. Depina is a graduate of Boston University. She majored in Neuroscience and has deep interest in understanding neurological disorders from a genetic and physiological perspective. As a woman of color who grew up caring for her nephew with an undiagnosed neurological disorder, she is committed to studying medicine as her part in facilitating inclusion of the most vulnerable people. Her inquisitive, highly intelligent and disciplined nature will make her an excellent research scientist. Her goal is to obtain admission to an MD/PhD program. My laboratory will help her fulfill her potential by providing research experience, publications and ancillary skills to elevate her chances of being admitted to one of these highly competitive programs. My laboratory’s team and affiliated scientists across campus will help her learn as much as possible about the practice of neuroscience and genetics, and to conduct research, publish, practice scientific writing and speaking. Although she took many neuroscience and biochemistry undergraduate courses, her financial and family responsibilities limited her ability to carry out research as an undergraduate. The goals of this Supplement will be: • first, to afford Ms. Depina hands-on experience in several neuroscience and molecular genetics approaches and techniques. • second, to train her in the principles of experimental design, rigor in interpretation of one’s own and published findings, and critical analysis. These principles will be taught within the framework of mid-size projects that relate to ongoing research directions in the lab. This will give her multiple opportunities for authorship in both leading and contributing roles. • third, to broaden learning of neuroscience and genetics, Ms. Depina will be guided to an appropriate subset of research seminars on campus, 2-3 structured courses on campus, relevant online webinars, as well as 1-2 in-person workshops or conferences. • fourth, further improve her skills in scientific writing and in scientific oral presentations through on- campus poster sessions, and presentations at major conferences such as AChemS. Ms. Depina is an ideal candidate for this Supplement. She is African-American, a group under-represented in the US biomedical workforce. She is highly intelligent and teachable and has the formal education to be mentored to the next level. We anticipate that through this plan of action, we will see her successful entry into a competitive MD/PhD program in Fall 2025.