YDPNeuro

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Student Name

High School Name

Class of 2024

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

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

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

Learn more about NAME here.

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My Research Proposal

My Research Presentation

The Frontier of Neuroscience

Expert & Mentor Collaboration

My Neuroscience Training

My Research Proposal

Our anticipated findings suggest that the frontoparietal network is activated during EMDR which corroborates the known aspects of the network surrounding attention orientation. Establishing differentiated networks during the EMDR would explain why similar effects on trauma are not found during other attention states, building on the credibility of the attention diversion hypothesis.

In order to answer this question, I devised a methodology that would utilize a random sample of twenty adults that would have their brain activity measured using fNIRS and an EEG during memory recollection with and without eye movement.The patients would then be asked to recall a neutral and a painful memory to understand differing reactions while undergoing eye movement therapy. The data will then be analyzed using trends of mental workload ratings to analyze reactions to the differing therapies.

My research hypothesized an answer to the question, “What attention orientational networks are activated during bilateral eye movements within EMDR?”

My Research Proposal Presentation

View my research proposal presentation here.

In order to address the lack of accessibility to Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), a psychotherapeutic treatment that works to resolve emotional trauma, I presented this proposal to this distinguished panel of judges. I proposed a research method that could test the individual hypothesis surrounding the success of EMDR.

At the conclusion of the internship, I presented my research proposal to a panel of judges including [Judges]. Respectively, these judges are the [Judge Titles].

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.

The Frontier of Neuroscience

Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging

I had the unique opportunity to speak with Dr. Michael Okun, founder of the University of Florida Movement DThe 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.isorders Program.

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.

Internship Highlights

Dr. James Giordano

The Creative Brain

Mind-Body Interventions

Experts & Mentors

I had the chance to work and collaborate directly with Dr. James Giordano, Chief of Georgetown University’s Neuroethics Studies Program.

In addition to his involvement with a variety of educational institutions, Dr. Giordano is the author of over 350 publications in neuroscience and neuroethics.

During our first meeting, Dr. Giordano guided us through an exploration of our own brains, minds, and selves, probing for the problems, meanings, and questions within the world that surrounds us.

In subsequent meetings, Dr. Giordano frequently prompted both introspection and extrospection to encourage familiarity with the our own minds, as well as our environment, and how the two can interact to our benefit.

I had the unique opportunity to learn from Dr. Michael Okun, a neurologist, neuroscientist, and founder of the University of Florida’s Movement Disorders Program.

The university’s program aims to provide interdisciplinary and integrated care that facilitates communication between all members of their team to provide the best care possible.

Within his work, Dr. Okun utilizes Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which operates like a pacemaker within the brain and is often inserted via conscious surgery.

During this operation, electrodes are put in the brain to regulate electrical signals and help with conditions like Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Essential Tremor.

I had the opportunity to discuss stimulating creativity through brain science with Dr. Adam Green, the Director of the Lab for Relartional Cognition at Georgetown University.

Dr. Green maintains that creative insights are “the product of connections made between things other people didn’t put together,” and we explored the neurological foundations of this theory.

In one of his most prominent experiments, Dr. Green had participants draw the analogies to evaluate semantic distance and creativity as explained above, but also regarded the potential role of neuromodulation.

tDCS is transcranial direct current stimulation, which is a non-invasive "helmet" of sorts that allows for the modification of the neural pathways' firing in the brain. The external stimulator is placed on the scalp and then provides electrical stimulation to a broad region in order to control the neurons' firing.

One such professional was Dr. Bill Casebear, a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force, who holds a joint PhD in cognitive science and philosophy. Dr. Casebear used his expertise to discuss using neuroscience to drive policy, public health, and social responses for global issues and generate sustainable peace.