Co-Op: A First Hand Experience
by Abby Eldridge
Abby Eldridge explains that the "...experience at the Cleveland Clinic was one of the best experiences of my undergraduate career."
My interest in research began after taking a new concentration course, BioMEMS, which was instructed by Dr. Deanna Thompson. This course introduced me to the techniques and technology that can be applied to create microsystems for biological applications. During the semester, Dr. Thompson forwarded an email to our class about a NIH Research Experience for Undergraduates Summer Internship at Albany Medical College, and I decided to apply. That summer, I worked in the Center for Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology studying the effects of the antipsychotic Risperidone on a specific serotonin receptor. The internship introduced me to techniques such as mammalian cell culture, but I felt that ten weeks was not long enough to see a project the entire way through to completion. This led me to be interested in continuing research through a co-operative seven-month internship through the RPI Career Development Center.
The co-op experience that I was most interested in pursuing was with the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute BioMEMS Laboratory. The material that I learned in my BioMEMS coursework, as well as wound healing responses from Tissue Biomaterials Interactions, and Biomaterials, landed me the position. My project was mentored by Dr. Shuvo Roy, and focused on surface modification of silicon MEMS materials to reduce protein fouling for long-term implantation of BioMEMS devices. Throughout the investigation, I was responsible for conducting independent experiments focused on applying self-assembled monolayers of poly(ethylene glycol) to reduce blood protein adsorption to microfabricated silicon. These materials are instrumental in being able to create an immunoisolative nanomembrane for use in insulin releasing biocapsules and a miniaturized bioartificial kidney. If scar tissue or clotting occurs in the nanopores, functionality and durability of the device will be reduced. My specific project was to keep the surface integrated with the in vivo system without compromising the microfabricated membrane.
My time at the Clinic introduced me first-hand to many techniques that I had previously learned about in the classroom including atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and wet chemical work. The research that was conducted also provided me with the opportunity to become published, win first place at the Americian Society for Mechanical Engineers Summer Bioengineering Conference Student Paper Competition, and write a manuscript for peer review. The following summer I was invited back for a continuation of the project to investigate cellular response to our surface coating in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University. This summer internship allowed me to gain preliminary results for two new manuscripts, as well as finalize my co-op investigation.
My experience at the Cleveland Clinic was one of the best experiences of my undergraduate career. The techniques I was exposed to will be applicable to my future research career, and in combination with my background coursework I feel prepared to throw myself into research. Rensselaer’s problem based teaching gave me the confidence to design my own experiments and work independently or as part of a team. I had also been introduced to most of the techniques that were necessary for my investigation prior to starting my job while at RPI, which proved to be extremely useful. The experience also gave me the invaluable information that pursuing a Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering is what I truly want to do for my future. I have continued my research in Dr. Thompson’s laboratory on campus, and with her mentorship am applying to graduate school this fall. I believe that my curriculum and overall undergraduate experience prepared me for my research positions on and off campus. These experiences have helped to shape me into a young researcher and I hope to continue on this path in the future.