USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute
USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute
USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute
Researching potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease on worldwide data.
Researching potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease on worldwide data.
Role
Role
Undergraduate Researcher
Undergraduate Researcher
Timeline
Timeline
18 months
18 months
January 2024 - June 2025
January 2024 - June 2025
Team
Team
1 Primary Instructor
1 Primary Instructor
16 Research Assistants
16 Research Assistants
Tools/Skills
Tools/Skills
Python
Python
Unix & Bash Scripting
Unix & Bash Scripting
FSL
01
01
Overview
Overview
HMW address the disproportionate risk of Alzheimer’s disease among minorities?
HMW address the disproportionate risk of Alzheimer’s disease among minorities?
Marginalized communities, especially Black and Hispanic Americans, are disproportionately at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—and even a higher risk with lower socioeconomic status.
Marginalized communities, especially Black and Hispanic Americans, are disproportionately at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—and even a higher risk with lower socioeconomic status.
I worked at USC’s Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging Institute as an undergraduate researcher and volunteer, where I focused on preclinical Alzheimer’s disease at the Braskie Lab. As the youngest on the team, I worked on various projects, namely the HABS-HD study, where I worked cross-functionally with a team of 16, contributing efforts across quality assurance and experimental design.
I worked at USC’s Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging Institute as an undergraduate researcher and volunteer, where I focused on preclinical Alzheimer’s disease at the Braskie Lab. As the youngest on the team, I worked on various projects, namely the HABS-HD study, where I worked cross-functionally with a team of 16, contributing efforts across quality assurance and experimental design.
My main contributions include:
Quality checked over 1,500+ MRI scans, in contribution to the HABS-HD study and an ongoing glucose/AD project.
Led and participated in critique sessions, discussing published research papers and the socioeconomic implications of AD.
Develop a machine learning model that synthesizes data from the LONI Image & Data Archive (IDA) to predict diagnosis among MRI scans.
My main contributions include:
Quality checked over 1,500+ MRI scans, in contribution to the HABS-HD study and an ongoing glucose/AD project.
Led and participated in critique sessions, discussing published research papers and the socioeconomic implications of AD.
Develop a machine learning model that synthesizes data from the LONI Image & Data Archive (IDA) to predict diagnosis among MRI scans.
The LONI IDA data I worked with is confidential to adhere to HIPAA regulations. Shoot me an email to see more!
The LONI IDA data I worked with is confidential to adhere to HIPAA regulations. Shoot me an email to see more!
The LONI IDA data I worked with is confidential to adhere to HIPAA regulations. Shoot me an email to see more!
02
02
Takeaways
Takeaways
Collaboration lets you see new connections. 💡
Collaboration lets you see new connections. 💡
Through our group discussions, we explored how findings related to other health conditions and regions across the world. Over time, clear patterns emerged—most notably, that socioeconomic status is a significant determinant of Alzheimer’s risk. Communities with lower income often face higher rates of illness due to limited access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and early interventions.
Through our group discussions, we explored how findings related to other health conditions and regions across the world. Over time, clear patterns emerged—most notably, that socioeconomic status is a significant determinant of Alzheimer’s risk. Communities with lower income often face higher rates of illness due to limited access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and early interventions.
These conversations helped me realize the value of shared insight: how collaboration can connect individual data points into a broader understanding of the problem we’re all working to solve.
These conversations helped me realize the value of shared insight: how collaboration can connect individual data points into a broader understanding of the problem we’re all working to solve.
Small progress is still progress. 📈
Small progress is still progress. 📈
As the youngest in the lab, I began with more routine and repetitive tasks. However, this experience deepened my appreciation for how every role, no matter how small, contributes meaningfully to the bigger picture of medical research and the pursuit of a cure for AD.
As the youngest in the lab, I began with more routine and repetitive tasks. However, this experience deepened my appreciation for how every role, no matter how small, contributes meaningfully to the bigger picture of medical research and the pursuit of a cure for AD.
Feedback is best understood proactively. 🔄
Feedback is best understood proactively. 🔄
Quality checking demanded close attention to detail, so I made it a point to ask my higher-ups questions early—before diving in or moving forward. This helped me work more intentionally and ensured we stayed aligned on shared goals.
Quality checking demanded close attention to detail, so I made it a point to ask my higher-ups questions early—before diving in or moving forward. This helped me work more intentionally and ensured we stayed aligned on shared goals.
A view of my desk with a Squishmallow peeking over :)
A view of my desk with a Squishmallow peeking over :)
And a view outside the lab, facing the boat-filled shoreline at Marina del Rey!
And a view outside the lab, facing the boat-filled shoreline at Marina del Rey!