Collaborated with a group of the world’s premier scientists, professors, and professionals in the fields of neuroscience and neuroethics.

Synthesized new neuroscience knowledge into a research proposal for a cutting-edge neuroscience experiment.

Engaged in interactive activities with discussions about cognitive neuroscience and neuroethics in a cross-cultural setting through a biophysical lens.

Sheila Van-Nguyen

East Career and Technical Academy

Class of 2025

Learn more about Sheila here.

Sheila is excited to join the Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship and Advanced Medical Neuroscience Internship. She knows what big of an opportunity this is.

Sheila is a freshman, upcoming sophomore in the Sports Medicine Program attending East Career and Technical Academy. Sheila is a member of HOSA who attended SLC in 2022. In addition to HOSA, Sheila is a member of the Red Cross Club. Sheila loves to spend time with her family in her past time. Her hobbies include reading books, watching movies, and watching sports.

In the future, Sheila would love to attend Brown University in their BA/MD 8 year combined medical program. She would love to become an orthopedic surgeon who can help improve everyday lives of ordinary people.

Read more about Sheila's achievements here.




My Research ProposalThe aim of this study is to define the correlation between intrusive thoughts and the left IFG through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This proposal wishes to determine whether increased or decreased activity in the left IFG leads to an increase or decrease in frequency of intrusive thoughts. With intrusive thoughts being a prevalent symptom of OCD, depression, and anxiety, by finding the effectiveness of TMS treatments to alter the activity of the left IFG, TMS treatments can begin to be used to treat those with OCD who experience intrusive thoughts decreasing their quality of life.A decrease in left inferior frontal gyrus activity through inhibition using transcranial magnetic stimulation will improve conditions of intrusive thoughts in individuals with OCD.How does Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Excite and Inhibit the Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus Affect the Frequency of Intrusive Thoughts that an OCD Individual Experiences?


My Research Proposal PresentationView my research proposal presentation here.At the conclusion of the internship, I presented my research proposal to a panel of judges including Dr. James Giordano, Dr. Rachel Wurzman, and Dr. John Shook.In the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Internship, I worked directly with some of the world’s leading brain scientists to learn about neuroethics, neurocognitive health, and revolutionary developments in the field.
View my research presentation video here.


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The Frontier of Neuroscience

Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging

The Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging (CFMI) at Georgetown is one of the world’s leading institutions with expertise in structural, functional, and brain imaging.

While visiting the CFMI, I met Dr. John VanMeter, Director of the Neuroimaging Corps at Georgetown University, who described to me the rationale, protocols, capabilities, and limitations of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and tract tracing.

I not only learned about the science behind fMRI, but also had the opportunity to see the machine that possess a magnetic power of 30,000 times the strength of Earth’s magnetic field.

Neuromodulation

Neuromodulation is a technology that electrically stimulates nerves or chemically targets neurological sites to treat nearly any disease or symptom.

I specifically learned about the HALO device, an application of neuromodulation that provides external electrical stimulation through a helmet of electrodes. It is primarily used to improve cognitive function and wellbeing, like learning, memory, and performance.

To further demonstrate the applications of neuromodulation, we learned aboutelectrical stimulation, perception of stimuli, and free will in order to control cockroaches from an iPhone.