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Annick does Research!
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I am working in the Hayashi Lab, located in the Picower Institute of Learning and Memory
of building 46, the Brain and Cognitive Science building. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is
the main model by which scientists study the cellular and molecular basis of memory.
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), an enzyme that is activated by
Ca2+ and highly abundant in the brain, is necessary for LTP production. By being
persistently activated, it can improve the efficiency of synaptic transmission. Recent
research has proven that CaMKII could, through autophosphorylation and dephosphorylation,
serve as a molecular switch to enable long-term memory storage. I am therefore performing
mutagenesis on CaMKII to prevent phosphorylation, and ultimately, to see how the role of
CaMKII in memory storage is affected by the constant activation of the kinase.
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(See the Poster)
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Elizabeth volunteers!
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My name is Elizabeth Rosenblatt, and I am a senior studying Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Service is a significant part of my life at MIT, whether it is volunteering for MIT’s EMS, peer advising for MIT Medlinks, tutoring for MIT Access and MIT Reachout, or teaching science at the Cambridge YMCA. While volunteering is a fun, relaxing break from the daily stresses of exams, problem sets, and presentations, it serves another, more important purpose for me. Volunteering inspires me by reminding me why I work so hard in the first place: to equip myself with the skills necessary for the significant contribution I want to make in the lives of others.
With a generous grant from the College Corps foundation, I was able to spend this past summer volunteering and researching in Durban, South Africa. Working alongside Child and Family Health International, I studied the post-apartheid public healthcare system’s response to the AIDS crisis in Kwazulu-Natal. During my service learning project, I lived with a local Zulu family and worked in AIDS orphanages, hospice programs, and public hospitals. My experience was challenging to say the least, but I have never felt more useful, and it was deeply meaningful to be in an environment where my efforts resulted in real, tangible improvements in the health of others.
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(See the Poster)
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Rany does community service!
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I remember watching the CNN coverage of Hurricane Katrina last year and
feeling utterly shocked by the destruction that I saw. In an effort to help
in some way, I started brainstorming ways to raise money and liked the idea
of organizing an intercollegiate benefit concert. I reached out to several
groups on campus and came up with a committee of students interested in
making the event possible. We were then able to obtain over $1000 in funding
for the event and gained the support of musical groups from MIT, Harvard,
Berklee College of Music, Wellesley, and Brandeis University. The event
raised over $2000 which was donated to the American Red Cross to help
Hurricane Katrina victims.
After the concert, I still had the nagging feeling that I wasn't doing
enough. I trained with the Boston American Red Cross in order to certify
myself for national relief work. Unfortunately, I was told that there were
so many volunteers interested in traveling to the Gulf Coast to assist
victims that my chances of going were slim. Luckily, another trip planned
by MIT students fell across my path. I traveled with students from MIT to
New Orleans through the Intervarsity Urban Plunge organization and spent my
spring break gutting homes. It was a shocking experience to see that little
had been done in the past few months to rebuild the area. Homes were still
utterly destroyed and New Orleans seemed devoid of people. However, I was
amazed to find that people still had hope. We had the opportunity to talk
directly with homeowners who shared their tragic stories with us.
Remarkably, each person that we talked to retained their bright plans for a
future in New Orleans. They had bravely returned to the site of devastation
to rebuild their lives. It was immensely touching and overwhelming.
Today, I am still trying to keep the voices of Katrina victims with me.
Although we no longer hear much about Hurricane Katrina or the people of the
Gulf Coast these days, I know that the area is still in need of dire help.
I am currently working with a nonprofit, grassroots organization in St.
Bernard's Parish, LA to continue assisting in relief efforts while I am at
MIT during the school year. I hope that my efforts can keep the memory of
Hurricane Katrina alive and the remarkable people who are still struggling
to rebuild their lives in the aftermath.
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(See the Poster)
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Sam is an athlete!
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When I came to MIT, I knew that athletics would play a large part in my
college experience. I had always loved the excitement and camaraderie of
playing on a team. I was somewhat skeptical of Greek Life and
sports teams sometimes discourage freshman from joining, but I decided to go
through sorority recruitment at the end of January. By the time the
recruitment period was over, my opinion had completely changed. I found a
group a girls that was outgoing, fun and supportive and I could not wait to
be a part of it. Reflecting on my time at MIT, I see now that recruitment
provided me with a means of meeting a new group of friends, taking on
leadership roles and working to help others through philanthropy events.
While athletics are still are large part of my MIT life, the college
experience for me would not have been complete without becoming a part of
Greek Life.
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(See the Poster)
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