Ellen Brooks/Dr. Marx - week 8

 It is hard to believe that this is already the last week! For this final week, I focused on the research part of my experience and finalized some data analysis. I also gave a presentation on my research project at the Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research weekly meeting. I will likely continue this project in some capacity as it moves to the next steps. Over this summer, I found a number of genes and gene pathsways that were altered following traumatic cartilage. I also determined which of these genes/pathways were similarly altered in osteoarthritis and inflammation of the cartilage. Going forward, qPCR will be used to validate some of my findings. 

Overall, the summer immersion program has been incredible. I feel so lucky to get to see a clinical environment and especially lucky as I was able to be part of this program at the very start of my PhD. As a person with an engineering and laboratory background, it is easy to forget the end goal of why we are doing the work. In medical research, this is the wellbeing of the patient. In the clinic, this is very apparent all the time and it will help me to maintain my focus and purpose throughout my PhD. 

I am excited to go back to Ithaca with this new perspective and the connections I have made this summer. Thank you so much to all the people that make this program possible. 

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