Research dreams realized

From the moment Lauren Cardone stepped foot on the University of Delaware's campus three years ago, she wanted to be involved in research.

"I chose UD because it's a tier-one research institution," she said.

Within her first few weeks, the senior human physiology major in the College of Health Sciences began cold-emailing professors with labs, hoping to get involved.

Thomas Buckley, professor of kinesiology and applied physiology, was the first to respond and would become Cardone's mentor. The two worked together in his Concussion Research Lab.

"He's shown me so much about clinical research from start to finish, from idea to publication," she said.

He also helped her build a strong foundation for the experience of a lifetime: a summer research internship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Cardone was one of two UD students to receive the Bryant-Howard Medical Research Award, made possible by a generous endowed gift from UD alumnus Dr. W. Michael Bryant, Class of '59. Former UD professor Robert S. Howard advised and inspired Bryant to pursue a career in medicine. Bryant obtained his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1963. He attributes his professional identity as "a product of the University of Delaware and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - and their values." The gift and support from UD's Center for Health Profession Studies (CHPS) made the summer research opportunities at Johns Hopkins possible.

"Our team at the Center for Health Profession Studies was ecstatic to support not one, but two students this summer," said Saskia Richter, interim director of the CHPS. "One of our goals is to provide students with unique opportunities on and off campus that help them stand out as future healthcare leaders. The Bryant-Howard Award is one way we have done this in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program."

Cardone spent the summer in a wet lab studying epilepsy with Li-Rong Shao, assistant professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins.

"There are very few epilepsy labs in the country, so it was a rare opportunity to study this disease," she said. "I learned a lot about perseverance, changing experimental approaches, and techniques in electrophysiology."

Cardone returns to Buckley's lab with newfound confidence.

"I had full freedom to do my work, and I learned the most by being given that chance," she said. "Now, I know I can be more independent."

The experience culminated in her presenting her research at the Johns Hopkins C.A.R.E.S. Symposium and the Neuroscience Scholars Symposium, advancing her goal of being published before she graduates.

"Since I've left, Dr. Shao has asked me to work on some grants and papers with him," Cardone said. "That solidified that I made a good impression."

Mikul Duggal, a junior honors student with a double major in neuroscience and liberal studies, also received the Bryant-Howard Award after finding out about it through UD's Medical Scholars Program. The summer opportunity perfectly married his interests in the medical field and research.

"Hopkins has a reputation that precedes, and there are few better places to get such a formative experience.

"I was starstruck by the intelligence and brilliance all around me," Duggal said. "At every turn, someone has made incredible contributions in their field, so being around such talented and hardworking people was inspirational."

He spent the summer in The Arvantis Lab studying the genetic factors of atherosclerosis alongside Dr. Marios Arvanitis, an assistant professor of medicine and biomedical engineering at Hopkins.

"Given that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, representing a public health crisis, and atherosclerosis is the primary driver of plaque formation and development, such work remains promising for its long-term medical application," said Duggal.

Working in the lab taught him a lot about the kind of physician he aspires to be.

"As an undergraduate student, I felt welcomed," he said. "That's takeaway number one in terms of how I want to operate in the future as a physician. I want to respect everyone and everything they bring to the table in a team setting and appreciate everyone's unique talents, interests, and backgrounds."

Before his summer experience at Hopkins, Duggal worked in UD's Bahnson Lab with Brian Bahnson, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences.

"Research requires a relentless attitude in pursuit of a goal. Few other pursuits offer a unique opportunity to keep getting knocked down and being able to get up," said Duggal. "Rarely will research be a linear path of progress, and that really appeals to me."

Duggal said the summer research experience at Johns Hopkins would not have been possible without the Bryant-Howard Medical Research Award.

"It's opened my eyes to exploring and pursuing other opportunities," Duggal said. "I owe a debt of gratitude to the Bryant-Howard Award for this tremendous learning experience."

Cardone knows her summer research experience will help her stand out on her medical school applications.

"Getting into medical school will prove to myself that everything I've learned and the time I've put in has been worth it," she said.