Week Two at CERTL

Here is another movie that I thought was amusing.


Monday (6-26-06)
Today, I came in early as usual where I started to read more literature regarding Atherosclerosis. I then started on my CERTL Research Project by I conducted scans using the MRI in the aorta. Unsuccessful to a degree, in that I could not image the entire aorta, I managed to find one artery that branched off the Aorta. During that time, I tried different types of scans, FLASH, FIST, T2-weighted, and T1-weighted. Also, I tried, in the allotted time allowed, scans with different resolutions, whose purpose was to determine which type of scan would show the plaque the best.

Tuesday (6-27-06)
Came to the office around 7:30 where I started reading more literature on Atherosclerosis and then watched some scans of Rat Pups. After lunch, I read some more literature and watched some more scans along with reading the manual, trying to find out which scan would be best for imaging plaque and how to conduct the scan on the machine. Then, I worked on my CERTL Power Point by creating a preliminary outline of the slides and in which order to put them in.

Wednesday (6-28-06)
Today was one of the most productive days so far. First I looked online for more information regarding Atherosclerosis where I found some of the causes, and the precipitating effects that follow. Then I went over to the lab were I watched MRI scans of mice hearts with John. Then after lunch, I used the vacant time to scan the arteries of the mice to find the plaque. After finding the arteries with plaque buildup, I increased the resolution of the scanner in order to differentiate between the plaque and the artery wall while at the same time, modifying the holder for the mice.

Thursday (6-29-06)
Came to the office around 7:30 where I started reading more literature on Atherosclerosis and then watched some scans of Cardiac Mice. This lasted until lunch where I came back and started to work on my weekly lab presentation and then on my CERTL Project.

Friday (6-30-06)
Started the day off with a lecture by Dr. Williams. Then went to the library where we worked on our blogs/CERTL Project. Left there around 11:00-12:00 then had lunch until 1:00 where we went to the Patient Simulation Lab were we learned how to anesthetize a patient.

Week One at CERTL

Before I start this blog, I would like to show a little video which I liked.

Monday (6-19-06)
Today nothing much happened. First we started off with the orientation on workplace safety which was hosted by EHS and other laboratory safety affiliations. Then we got a tour of the campus, which included the library, dinning facilities, ect. ect. Then about 1:45, we all departed to our different departments, mine was Radiation Oncology were I was introduced to my supervisor Dr. Zhu, and John. Then from then until 5:00pm, I watched MRI scans and at the same time learned how to operate the MRI.

Tuesday (6-20-06)
Today was the first full day of research. First I helped, or rather watched Tom us the MRI to scan the mouse brains. That lasted until about 11ish where I was behind the computer looking at how he configured the MRI for the selected scans. Then, I went over to John to analyze the mouse scans he did yesterday and the overall purpose of his project. Giving a basic overview, I learned that his projects deals with seeing if the stem cells he is using will be able to regenerate into a heart muscle and repair the damaged tissue. After lunch, watched, and helped prepare 3 to 4 mice for scanning by sedating them first and them hooking them up to and ECG so that we may monitor its vital signs during the scan and remove the mouse if circumstances come.

Wednesday (6-21-06)
So far, we scanned the mouse with the stem cells from multiple angles and from different slices. As usual, in my spare time, I was reading the literature, trying to comprehend the terms. Then I invited to attend, with the rest of the lab staff, a representative trying to sell a newer MRI program for imaging animal hearts; however superior in some respects, as in the imaging of heart in 3D space, certain procedures had to be done the exact same way every time or the program could not compute the model. After lunch, I came in to watch Tom do a scan of rats, with the veterinarians advising on how to keep the pup comfortable.

Thursday (6-22-06)
Today was not a very exciting day, in terms of things done. First I arrived early, like I usually do, sat down at the computer and started to read the literature that is accompanying this field of research. Then when things in the lab started to get underway, I went in and watched some more scans of mice. Then after lunch, I came in and did some more WFU testing for lab and animal safety.

Friday (6-22-06)
We got acquainted with each other CERTL student again in the conference room of the NRC Building. There we listened to Dr. Williams on his lecture of the introduction to successful research and its components. Then we went to the computer lab, were we started a Blog for the summer on our actions with CERTL. Later we had a 1 hour lunch were I went to the NRC to read the literature while the others had lunch. At the end of the day, we went to take a tour of the newly developed Research Triangle Park.