Week 1 (August 31-September 4)

 This was my first week with Dr. Hickman and Jessica Peveler, the lead veterinary technician in my area. Taylor (another LHSI intern) and I were given the task to complete CITI training for animal modules this week for mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs.

I was introduced to the female mice within the breeder study. After weighing the specified foods, I was informed that all the mice we just handled were to be euthanized for tissue collection the next day. Dr. Hickman told me that "...if it ever gets easy to put these animals down, that is the day you need to leave animal research." People have already started asking me how I'm going to be able to handle "animal testing:" I think that's what I'm going to tell them.

Each Friday is the lab meeting with capstone students, Dr. Hickman, and a few of the vet-techs. The amount of projects in this lab is a little overwhelming, but I'm excited to start training on the dog stress study, DRIVE, and cage color. Manymore projects are in the works.

Week 2 (September 7-11)

This week, I moved the cage color mice and the cages were cleaned (question: why do we use Dawn detergent?). I went into the "meth lab" today to listen to a lecture by Dr. Yamamoto from Toledo. He is studying the effects of methamphetamines on rats, specifically the damage caused by voluntary addiction using a cage with a reward bar. Brain damage from the drug causes significant damage to serotonin, dopamine, and GABA (inhibitory with epileptic tendencies when depleated). This leads to a possible future study of the use of methamphetamines linked to loss in vision, in which GABA is a major NT. I asked him about it after the meeting, but he said the point of his research is not the actual damage, but saving those affected from the damage. A time of vulnerability during exists during withdrawal that causes a higher risk in relapse: if they can pinpoint that weakness, a treatment could be found.

Week 3 (September 14-18)

This week, I obtained training for the large animal labs in IB. The new beagle puppies came in this week: I'm glad we get to be some of the first faces they see. I was shown how to handle the hounds for exercise and handling outside of containment.

I also finished CITI training for LARC, including identifying and limiting pain and distress and working with IUCAC. 

Week 4 (September 21-25)

Research and literature analysis has started for the rat socialization and visualization study occuring in the coming month. Jess has stated that I will use my previous engineering experience to help create the mouse apparatus with mirrors and the intruder testing. 

Week 5 (September 28-October 2)

The protocol for the gnawing study and essential oils study has been officially approved. Literature analysis continues for finding the best way to see if the oils make any noticable change to the aggression of the mice when an intruder is introduced into their cage. 

This week, I completed training for MedSci labs and rat manipulation. I am now trained for IP injections and leg bleeds.

Week 6 (October 5-9)

This week marks the start of rat rotational enrichment video scoring. Friday, we learned how to score both the maze videos and the cage behavior data. Some of the cameras fell during testing. The affect of this on the data analysis has yet to be determined.

Processing of the mouse pups from the breeder study starts this week. I will learn how to euthanize the animals and process organs in the necropsy room, as well as be introduced to CBC's within the molecular lab. This will be a regular occurance for the next few months on all the breeder pups taken during Peveler's study.

Week 7 (Octobeer 12-16)

This Friday in lab meeting, I presented the research I have completed on the oxytocin delivery system for Tara's essential oils experiment and the cage apparatus for socialization and intruder aggression analysis. It seems as if the oxytocin inhalation will be more difficult than originally designed. Oxytocin inhalation isn't used commonly in research and when it is, it is through nebulization of a saline-oxytocin solution once a day. The research is rather interesting behind oxytocin inhalation and autism research. A fine powder nasal spray is currently being tested for both postpartum hemhorraging and social confidence in autistic males. The powder is doing well in research, but it was found that inhaled liquid has only a 0.01% effectiveness in breaking the blood brain barrier. Its a mind bender.

Week 8 (Fall Break)

Lab meeting was only work day this week.

Week 9 (October 26-30)

I completed a presentation on the visualization study and pseudoisolation syndrome.

Week 10 (November 2-6)

I met with my abbassader to check on my progress.

Week 11 (November 9-13)

Slow week for lab work. Mostly work was done on computer analysis.

Week 12 (November 16-20)

This week was my site visit with Brandi. It was beneficial to do this with Taylor. We talked about what would be useful for Taylor and I to accomplish in the coming months, including getting our own project. We are progressing pretty well.

Week 13 (November 23-27)

Bleeding for the socialization study began this week. For the next 4 weeks, we will be bleeding out mice to see analyze their socialization preferences with other mice. Rats will begin later. This may be the project for my poster.

Week 14 (November 30-December 4)

Bleeding continues. This is my main focus.

Week 15 (December 7-11)

Sign up for assisting in the euthanasia study went around. Additionally, mouse processing for the breeder diet moves inot the next phase later this week.

Week 16 (December 14-18)

Today I helped Dr. Hickman with the euthanasia study. We processed 32 mice with isoflurane, pentobarbital, cervical dislocation, and decapitation. This is a difficult part of our job, but it is for the bettermend of animal research.