Kara Dubois, neuroscience and psychology; Medical College of Georgia
Some East Carolina University students spent their summers next to the pool or playing video games. Senior Kara Dubois spent her summer conducting research in a medical lab.
Kara Dubois stands with postdoctorate mentor Adam Salon in front of a poster at a Medical College of Georgia research symposium. (Contributed photo)
Dubois of Charlotte, who is majoring in neuroscience and psychology with a minor in biology, was one of six interns in the Student Training and Research (STAR) program at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia. During her internship, Dubois worked under the mentorship of a postdoctoral student in Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele’s lab, which conducts research in vascular biology.
“I had the opportunity to work on my own project investigating the mechanisms linking Type 1 diabetes and neuroinflammation,” she said.” Dubois presented her findings at the STAR symposium at the end of the internship in early August.
Her role in Belin de Chantemele’s lab adds to the experience Dubois gained from working as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Karen Litwa’s lab at the Brody School of Medicine. For someone wanting to do research in college, it was a natural fit.
“I went into college knowing that I wanted to do research and pursue a career in it as well, so I looked for opportunities to get involved early,” Dubois said. “I learned from a professor about a CURE course (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) taught by Dr. Litwa. It was a microscopy course, and I had the opportunity to learn about different kinds of microscopes and imaging techniques through a group project, in which we contributed to the research being conducted in the Litwa lab. This experience led me to joining the following year.”
The potential for discovery is what drives Dubois’ passion about research.
“I have always loved science, and I enjoy opportunities to learn about how it can be applied to solve problems as well as what we don’t yet know about it in the field. It is exciting knowing that what I am doing could eventually contribute to a difference in the world.”
Dubois’ work in the Litwa lab led to her STAR internship opportunity.
“The Litwa lab conducts research on autism, and I currently study the mechanisms of synapse formation in autism during early stages of brain development,” she said. “Working there opened the doors to the STAR internship by providing experience that allowed me to stand out among other applicants for the program. I also had the privilege of Dr. Litwa writing my recommendation letter.”
Along with gaining new research experience, Dubois cherished the opportunity to make new connections with her fellow STAR interns.
“I enjoyed getting to know the six other interns in the program,” Dubois said. “We had weekly meetings with the program director where we gained advice and updated each other on our projects. We also spent our free time together working in coffee shops, going out to eat and exploring Augusta.”
Heading back to ECU and the Litwa lab for her final year as an undergraduate, Dubois is grateful for the experience and looks forward to the doors that it could open.
“I learned new techniques, such as qPCR and western blotting, and was able to strengthen my existing lab skills which I will take with me when I got back to the Litwa lab,” she said. “Additionally, expanding my capabilities and growing my confidence in a lab environment will increase my chances of acceptance to graduate school and be helpful in a future career as a biomedical researcher or a pathologist’s assistant.”