Week 8:
Journal Club, College Visit, and a Weekend Trip.

July 21, 2019

This week turned out to be a decently busy week. It included giving a presentation, more immunostaining, observing chiropractic students in Palmer’s clinic, reading research articles and methods, improving my own work outside the lab, and going on a Palmer college visit.

On Monday, I worked on my application statement for chiropractic school by adding in some feedback I had gotten from my mentors. I hope to get more feedback this next week and send it out. Then, I gave my Journal Club presentation at the lab meeting. I had practiced all weekend, so I was confident in my presentation ability and knowledge on the topic. I was still nervous but after giving the presentation many people came up to me and said I did a great job and that my explanation of everything was well done. This feedback was great too. For the remainder of the lab meeting, I was able to hear about different projects the Palmer R15 Research Honors chiropractic students are working on. I got an idea of what project stage everyone is at. All the projects sounded interesting and I can’t wait to see how they turn out.

Much of my time this week was spent in my office reading research articles that my primary mentor, Stephen Onifer, PhD, gave me throughout the week. The articles dealt with evaluating pain response before and after exercise, how exercise can improve arthritis, and even some that looked at how CBD oils and cannabinoids can improve different chronic pain conditions. This field of research and care interests me, so I hope I can learn more about it and possibly do my own research in the exercise science/medical research field.

Almost all the lab time Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in the immunostaining lab, where I observed the basic science research team of Mr. Randy Sozio and Mr. Charlie Arends stain different tissue sections for another neuropeptide known as neuropeptide Y or NPY. NPY is different than CGRP which I have been studying. It is synthesized by medium-to-large sized sensory ganglia nerve cells and not small ones. In the spinal cord, it promotes analgesia instead of pain when released from nerve fibers. The immunostaining was for a Palmer chiropractic student’s research project. Since I had never stained for this neuropeptide, I observed most of the methods.

After the immunostaining was finished, I met up with a Palmer student working in the laboratory that I have gotten to know during my time at the PCCR, Matthew Connor Jordan. We went over to one of the Palmer Clinics where I was able to observe another Palmer student performing a physical exam. The exam was much more complex than any other physical I have witnessed. It was also musculoskeletal system focused. This was interesting to watch, mainly because I had no idea that chiropractors performed physical exams. I was also able to observe Connor perform an adjustment. This was interesting because I was able to see some different types of chiropractic technique and talk to a staff Doctor of Chiropractic. Overall, I was able to gain a better idea of what occurs during clinical hours when students are completing their last few trimesters at Palmer.

During that same day, the basic science team and I reviewed methods that Connor developed for his research project. The methods were about how to use the fluorescence microscope with the image capturing and quantification systems. We used the microscope only by Connor’s methods. This process allowed us to suggest some changes to improve a few areas.

On Thursday, I started my day off by going down to the basement conference room in the PCCR with Dr. Onifer. We tried to get a computer and projector running so I could look at my final assignment PowerPoint presentation to see whether photos were too dark and needed to be brightened. However, the computer needed an update. I should be able to test my presentation soon. I spent the rest of my day, reading more research articles and working on my final assignment presentation by adding more photos and cutting out some wordy slides.

On Friday, I got the chance to participate in one of Palmer’s prospective student visit days. I was given a couple presentations on how Palmer is changing the world and how it could be the perfect chiropractic school me. Then, I went on a campus tour with Palmer students as guides. Afterwards, I talked to my admissions representative and got some good input about my application. Once I get my application statement turned in and my official transcripts submitted, my early acceptance could be approved. So fingers crossed on that front. After the visit day was complete, I reflected on everything I learned about Palmer. It made me realize that I really like Palmer as a school and could definitely see myself excelling and being very happy here. I am still going to go on more college visits but as of right now, Palmer is my number one choice.

Over the weekend, I took a trip to Chesterton, Indiana to visit my girlfriend, Shay Rule ’19. On Saturday, we went on a hike that lead us to a secluded beach along Lake Michigan. We had a great time and at the end of the day it was hard to leave. The hike back to our car was fun, but bittersweet since we had to leave such a nice beach. The next day, we got up early and I went on my weekly long run while Shay rode her bike beside me, it was nice to have someone with me on my run since I have been training on my own all summer. The rest of the day, we hung out at her house, and got some late lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Then I packed up my things, we said our goodbyes, and I hit the road back to my apartment in Illinois. The trip ended up being a great close to a great week and even greater weekend. I cannot wait to see what the last weeks of my fellowship have in store for me.