Cindy Tung/Dr. Susan Gauthier - Week 8

This was the last week of immersion and I spent my time in the lab working with our mice injected with a  breast cancer cell line. This was week three post-injection, and it was time to resect the tumor sample. Before resection, we imaged the mice, taking note to measure their weight and hydrating their eyes with vaseline as they cannot close their eyes under isoflurane. In collaboration with people at HSS, we also performed a cardiac puncture to gather blood samples, as well as a spine resection. A cardiac puncture is a terminal procedure that is performed by poking a hole in the heart and using a syringe to pull blood. Because the heart still pumps blood for several beats, the previous step is repeated so when the heart refills with blood, it can be extracted accordingly. 

This summer has provided me with so much invaluable experiences, from working with small animals to gaining a deeper understanding of how the healthcare system works. I shadowed clinicians in neuroradiology, cardiology, orthopedics, and the neurological ICU. From reading brain scans to open-heart and total knee replacement surgeries, these experiences have enabled me to develop a new sense of appreciation for the incredible healthcare team in providing the best quality of care to patients. These seven weeks have also helped me identify potential projects where there are unmet clinical needs. 


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