Patrick Mohr: Exercise and its Ability to Help Fight Drug Addiction

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The Behavioral Neuro-pharmacology and Neuro-imaging laboratory was interested in drug addiction and exercise’s role as a form of treatment. Exercise has been proven to have many health benefits including improving mental health, decreasing risk of heart disease and helping stabilize blood sugar levels. Research has revealed exercise as an effective preventative measure against addiction.

For this project, Patrick investigated the relationship between physical exercise and the protein Selenoprotein P (SEPP1) in male rats.  Here is what Patrick had to say about the experience:

What I Did:

"For my project, we investigated the relationship between physical exercise and a protein called Selenoprotein P (SEPP1) in male rats. We looked at the concentration in the blood using an ELISA kit, which has antibodies that target the protein of interest. I am most proud to say that I have a research paper that is currently being reviewed to be published in a scientific journal. After being in research for so long, seeing some of my work being published and having the potential to be used by others is very gratifying. From this project, I have developed valuable skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific research methodologies. Analyzing the results and comparing our data to other papers challenged me to think critically and apply my knowledge effectively."

"This experience has greatly supported my academic and professional goals by providing hands-on research experience as well as having to go through the entire process of proposing, funding, and completing a project. I plan on attending medical school with hopes of becoming a doctor. This project shows that I can think critically and apply my knowledge across many disciplines. I strongly encourage other students to engage in projects like this because they offer a blend of scientific inquiry and practical application."

What I Learned:

"The two competencies I chose to work on developing in this project are critical thinking and teamwork. This project forced me to think about topics and ideas that I had little knowledge of previously. This aspect allowed me to build my critical thinking skills in novel subjects and fields. One of the more intensive sections of the project in regard to critical thinking was writing the actual research paper. I had to do a deep dive into similar literature, comparing and contrasting the data different papers presented. It allowed me to improve my research skills, my perception of data and the information presented. Also, this project further developed my understanding and ability to collaborate with others. In order to conduct this project, multiple people had to work together to make sure each part was done correctly and any issues were communicated. I've become better at communicating with team members, delegating tasks effectively, and leveraging the strengths of each team member. Overall, these competencies have been crucial in the project's success, and I'm confident that the skills I've developed will continue to benefit me in future endeavors."