Summer 5Q: Tina Stottman Studies Brain Trauma at UK Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center

This summer, rising Gatton Academy senior Tina Stottman (’11, Bullitt County) is spending ten weeks exploring a research interest.  Working full time at the University of Kentucky’s Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center with Dr. Kathryn Saatman, Stottman is studying experimental models of traumatic brain injury using rodent models of brain trauma to investigate cellular mechanisms of damage to neurons in the brain and evaluating treatments aimed at lessening cell damage.

Stottman received a Gatton Academy Research Internship Grant, which is a grant available to Gatton Academy students in the summer between their junior and senior years to support students during research experiences.

Stottman learned about the opportunity at the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center from 2010 Gatton Academy graduate Emily Hall, who spent the summer of 2009 working in Dr. Saatman’s lab.  Emily too will return to Dr. Saatman’s lab this summer along with Justin Jatczak, also a recent graduate from the Gatton Academy’s class of 2010.  The three Gatton Academy students will work alongside University of Kentucky scientists and researchers for the summer, gaining valuable laboratory and research skills.

Tina recently took a break from her research to answer some questions about how her summer experience was going so far.

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you are participating this summer that the Research Internship Grant is funding.

This summer I’ve been working in the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Lab. Our lab focuses on different aspects of brain cell death and axonal damage caused by traumatic injuries. We perform surgeries on mice in order to learn about what occurs in the brain after head trauma. So far, my tasks have included things such as cutting and mounting brain tissue, staining tissue to detect brain cell degeneration, and learning about the procedures performed on the mice.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

I’ve really enjoyed working in a lab setting. This past year, I only had one course that required a lab, so at first I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep up with everyone during research. Luckily, the people that I work with have been great at explaining different techniques and answering all of my questions. I’m doing something that I’ve never done before, so every day is a chance to learn something new! Now that I’ve been here for almost two weeks, I’ve actually come to love working on research in the lab, and the work day always seems to fly by.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

Whenever I was at my home high school, summer was a time for me to just sit back and relax. For the most part, I can’t say that I did anything productive with my break. This summer, the situation is completely different. Every day, I get to spend time researching what I’m most passionate about. I’m walking away from this with an experience that will make me a competitive college applicant. Living on my own in Lexington has also helped me prepare myself for life after graduation, and as an added bonus, the people that I work with are amazing! How many high school students can say that they spent their summer getting paid to do what they love every single day?

4. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

Currently, I’m still looking for competitions and scholarships to enter with my research. I’ve had a few setbacks because I’m working with live vertebrae. I’m going to continue my search, and hopefully I’ll find some great competitions to enter this fall!

5. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

I haven’t chosen a specific career or major yet, so this research experience has given me a lot of insight into the physiology and neurosurgery field. Working in the lab will give me a head start for future research experiences during and after college. It will also look great on my college applications. Right now, I’m just trying to find a specific area to focus on, and this research experience is definitely leading me in the right direction.

6. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

More than anything, I’m looking forward to meeting all of the new juniors. Last year, as I’m sure it is every year, we all formed a little family. I was sad to see the class of 2010 leave us, but I know that we’ll always share the bonds that we’ve made over the past year. I can’t wait to see what this new group of students will bring to the Academy. I met quite a few of them on interview day, and they all seem to be such amazing people with a wide variety of personalities and interests. I know that this new addition to our family will make it another great year to remember!

Dr. Kathryn Saatman, research, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Summer, Tina Stottman, UK