Bryan Lukyanenko: Individual Variability in the Medial Superior Olive of the Human Brainstem

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In this project, Bryan studied brainstem structures called the Superior Olivary Complex, which are important for sound analysis. He focused on the Medial Superior Olive, a structure specifically involved in localizing the source of sound. Here is what Bryan had to say about the experience:

What I Did:

This study focuses on the medial superior olive (MSO), a key nucleus in the Superior olivary complex (SOC), which plays a crucial role in sound localization. In a previous project, I noticed considerable variability in the rostrocaudal extent of the MSO among human brainstems. This observation led me to question whether the overall shape, area, and cell density of the MSO may also vary. I applied for the PEARL award to continue my research with these new questions. During the study, I gathered data on the MSO from 14 brainstems, which demonstrated that there is variability in the overall shape, area, and cell density. This PEARL award-funded project has been presented at the annual Celebration of Academic Excellence and the annual SURC conference at Binghamton. Additionally, some of the data I collected from this project was included in a scientific paper, on which I am a co-author, that has been published in the journal Brain Structure and Function (Springer). 

What I Learned:

This project was transformational not only in my undergraduate experience but also in my future career goals. When pursuing this project, I gained confidence in performing many laboratory duties. I learned to handle microscopes, take photomicrographs, and stain sections using Nissl and immunostaining techniques. I learned to use software such as ImageJ to collect data and Excel to tabulate and interpret data. During this project, I strengthened my attention to detail and learned about writing and submitting a scientific paper. By allowing me to present detailed research in a digestible and engaging manner to a broader audience, these opportunities have also significantly strengthened my public speaking skills.