Stony Brook CUBIT Interns 2014 | Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Simons Fellow, Ien Li	Rising senior at Jericho High School	Use MRI and DTI data to elucidate pathophysiology of major depressive disorder by identifying neuroanatomical correlates which may significantly change in association with illness severity and age of first depression onset.	To expand my imaging research experience by developing a project that could potentially contribute to the scientific community. I sought to conduct scientific research in its true setting and work with passionate and dedicated researchers, in hopes of exploring one option for my future career choice.
Samantha Rossano	4th year undergraduate in Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University	My project compares PET outcome measures derived from both arterial and venous input functions in order to find a way to accurately relate the venous data to the arterial data. If this is done, researchers can take venous blood samples to quantify the PET data instead of arterial samples and thus eliminate the need for the placement of an arterial line, which is an invasive procedure.	To learn more about the field of bioimaging and how it can be applied to biomedical research
Alexandria Kendrick	Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering from Binghamton University	Examine human subjects PET data using various analytical and mathematical processing tools; study the correlation between MRI- and EEG-based measurements of depressed patients; evaluate inter-site reliability of DTI measures	To broaden my knowledge, education, and experience within a research lab and to help contribute to potential projects and publications.
Nadia Purbowati	Junior at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, majoring in Psychology and Neuroimaging	Examining white matter abnormalities in suicide attempters as well as MDD patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)	To accomplish a deeper understanding of the relationship between the brain and the overall human body
Anzhou Zhang	Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from New York University	Programming for brain imaging database using python and MATLAB; Diffusion tensor fitting, mapping fractional anisotropy,and mean diffusivity using Camino and python; Extracting a brain from a brain image and generate masks using Advanced Normalization Tools(ANTS); Develop and implement algorithms for DTI	This internship gives me the opportunity to learn more about medical imaging using MRI
Arjun Iyer	Masters in Anatomy and Neurobiology from Boston University	Labeling the Tentorium Cerebelli in order to test a new brain imaging program. Previously involved in quality checking tracing of T1 weighted images using free surfer. I am also involved in a project studying possible biomarkers of ASD.	To attain a greater knowledge of various data acquisition techniques and analysis methods, as well as learn the underlying methods behind techniques used to study phenomenon related to cognitive neuroscience, such as PET and FMRI
Catherine O. Smith	Senior at Ward Melville High School	Evaluating human brain PET scans to determine how different variables such as cortical thickness effect mental illness; and entering patient survey information into the database	To pursue my interest in Biology and Neuroimaging and also to obtain high level research experience. I wish to gain an understanding of the research process.
Carly Weber-Levine	Senior at Ward Melville High School	I have been analyzing MRI and DTI scans in order to obtain various data to learn more about Multiple Sclerosis and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. I have also explored Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Multiple Sclerosis to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated program in comparison to a manual one.	I hoped this experience would be a great first exposure to the world of research.
Kiriana Morse	Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry at Quinnipiac University	Analyzing re-processed NHWY studies, which examine serotonin 1-A binding in depression. In addition, I'm working on a project on how automated ROI tracing is affected when a CSF script is used to remove any ROIs mistakenly traced in the ventricles	To continue doing research after college. I'm hoping to learn as much as possible over the next year so that I can continue conducting research at an advanced level during medical school.