Brief Profile:
Inner City Women's Clinic Assistant June 2007 - present
Osteopathic Physician Shadowing
Senior Thesis Optimizing PCR Conditions for the Cloning of the ?1 Subunit of a T-type Calcium Channel in the Panulirus Interruptus Abstract: The purpose of this study was to manipulate and optimize degenerate PCR conditions for the cloning of the ?1 subunit of a T-type calcium channel in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the Panulirus interruptus. The STG contains a network of neurons which produce rhythmic movements without sensory input, and are commonly known as a central pattern generator (CPG). This rhythmic pattern is produced by burst-firing of low-voltage activated, or T-type, calcium channels. The ?1 subunit acts as the channel pore and voltage sensor, thereby being of primary importance to the channel?s unique function. By cloning this subunit, further molecular and electrophysiological understanding can be applied to vertebrate neuronal networks and functions such as muscle movement, digestion, and respiration. The primary difficulty in cloning this subunit is the optimization of PCR conditions to amplify the cDNA sequence. Degenerate primers are designed based on the homologous conservation among species in particular regions of the ?1 subunit gene. PCR optimization is generally determined empirically and requires adjustments in cycle specifications such as annealing temperatures and concentrations of reagents such as magnesium. The influence of these factors was investigated, and sub-optimal conditions were achieved. It was determined that other PCR techniques and changes in degenerate primer design may produce a higher amplification specificity.
Genetics Research (Schizophrenia, bipolar) May 2006 - August 2006
Clinical Research Internship (Schizophrenia, behavioral weight-loss)
Chemistry Tutor
Horseback riding & educational instructor
Up 'til Dawn Executive Director
Up 'til Dawn Vice President of Fundraising
Allegheny College Student Government Junior Class Secretary
Panhellenic Council Vice President of Community Development
Alpha Chi Omega Sister
Allegheny Women's Rugby
Won by One Jamaican Mission Trip
Awards, Honors, Scholarships
Trustee Scholarship 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Alden Scholar 2003-2007 National Dean's List May 2005 Magna Cum Laude May 2007
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 2007
Undergraduate college: Allegheny College
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 503
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 124,
C/P 126,
CARS 127
Overall GPA: 3.62
Science GPA: 3.60
Summary of Application Experience
Accepted to the 5 schools I interviewed at, all of which were my top choices. Basically, I think that the admissions commitee's have all confused my applications, and it seems far to amazing to be true! Final decision looks like it will be PCOM, since thats where I got my 'home-ish feeling' AZCOM, CCOM, TCOM, DMU, and PCOM all had amazing programs which made it hard to decide. In the end, DMU and PCOM have all the perks combined that other schools only had a few of. I would definately recommend any of them!
I have eventually decided on attending PCOM. Though all of the schools I've been accepted at are awesome, I really felt at home at PCOM. It was a very tough decision between PCOM, DMU and TCOM. But in the end, I'm not very Texas, and Texas people love Texas. I didnt think I'd be able to handle living there for at least 4 years. And DMU had a very high percentage of non-traditional and older students. I just wanted to be in a younger class, because I felt like I'd be able to relate to them more, and have more similar study schedules. Hence, PCOM will be my home!! Definately excited.
