4 Year Plan
Freshman Year
2023-2024
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Proposed research topics
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Finalized team formation and focus topic for investigation
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Paired with a faculty mentor
Sophomore Year
2024-2025
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Performed literature review
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Outlined research proposal
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Submit our formal budget, finalize funds for experiments
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Isolate porcine endothelial cells
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Induce hyperglycemic conditions
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Measure TNF-a
Junior Year
2025-2026
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Measure ROS and RNS in cells
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Measure Calcification before and after supplemental NO addition
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Complete data collection and begin analysis of data
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Begin thesis outline
Senior Year
2026-2027
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Defend our thesis to faculty panel
Methodology
Methodology Outline
Isolate Valvular Endothelial Cells from Porcine Aortic Valve
April 2025
Our team will purchase an aortic heart valve from a nearby facility. From there we will take into lab and isolate the leaflets and then strip the endothelial cells off of the valvular leaflets.
Inducing Varying Glucose Conditions
April 2025
After our VECs have cultured after the isolation process, we will reseed our cells into different flasks with different glucose levels.
Measure TNF-a in Glucose Conditions
May 2025
Approximately a week after the cells have been placed into new glucose conditions, we will perform an ELISA to measure the level of TNF-a in the different conditions.