Akshay Tiwari: Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

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This project involved working towards the development of novel drug and cell therapy for the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and myelin diseases of children such as leukodystrophies. Akshay shadowed and assisted lab members while learning lab procedures and was then assigned a semi-independent project. Here is what Akshay had to say about the experience:

What I Did:

"For my project, I studied the effect of a specific sulfation enzyme on oligodendrocytes and its role in demyelination in the central nervous system. This project allowed us to provide further insight on the pathway of oligodendrocyte differentiation following demyelination and determine on of the specific enzymes that inhibits that pathway. Further studies that we conduct with regards to this pathway may test the functional significance of the pathway using pharmacological methods in culture and animal-based models of myelination and demyelination."

"This project has allowed me to gain insight into the fields of pharmacology and neurology that I had previously lacked. To join a research lab as an undergraduate student, I have been able to experience opportunities that will allow me to carry a certain advantage while applying to medical school."

What I Learned:

"Through this project, I was able to build the confidence necessary to deliver a presentation at the UB Undergraduate Conference. I worked on various staining protocols and imaging training with fellow graduate students in my lab that were helpful mentors to prepare my work on my own project throughout the summer. Further building on the confidence and leadership I gained through delivering tasks, I felt in charge and was able to discuss this research project while attempting to gain a teaching assistant opportunity for Evolutionary Biology. Additionally, I was able to improve my communication abilities even more when I delivered weekly updates leading up to the research conference and gained useful types regarding formatting of the poster that I created. Two areas of opportunity for me included growing critical thinking abilities when working in such a highly structured and complex lab, as well as operational ability of the technology that I had implemented into my poster. I was able to improve my critical thinking skills by constantly building off previously gained knowledge to understand the incorporation of a technique that I took on. I had previously believed that my operational ability of the IX83 was decent enough that I would be able to image properly and locate various markers, however, the resolutions and locational imaging that I started with, was limited compared to the technological ability I developed over the summer."