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On April 9, 2018, Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) hosted its Fourth Annual Carlos S. Kase Neurology Research Symposium where medical students, residents, and fellows had the opportunity to present their clinical research. This is one of the many events hosted by both BUSM and Boston Medical Center (BMC) that welcomes undergraduate students interested in neuroscience and clinical research to attend and gain further insight into the field. <\/span><\/p>\n A large exhibit hall decorated with scientific posters is filled with curious students flocking around each presenter. Passionate discussions about new discoveries within the field of neurological disorders research echoes throughout the room. Attendees gather as Courtney Bayruns, a third-year medical student, passionately shares her research on intubation rates in pediatric emergency department patients suffering from seizures. Bayruns eagerly shares her neuroscience journey, which began in the undergraduate neuroscience program at Boston University. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSay hello to Dr. Lipton for me!\u201d Bayruns enthusiastically asks as she recollects memories from her college years. She graduated in 2015 with a dual degree in Human Physiology and Neuroscience. Bayruns became interested in research during her freshman year while part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) program and sophomore through senior year when she was funded by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). During her years as an undergraduate student, Bayruns developed research-oriented skills through the laboratory sections offered in NE203, Principles of Neuroscience, with Dr. Shoai Hattori and other neuroscience courses. \u201cNeuroscience labs in class help build foundational skills like micropipetting and microscopy, which are needed in research,\u201d Bayruns said. \u201cA lot of labs really appreciate the fact that we already have experience with these skills thanks to these classes.\u201d Bayruns particularly enjoyed NE535, Translational Research in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease, with Dr. Lucia Pastorino, because of its application of research in real-world scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n Bayruns is currently finishing her third year of medical school and focusing on pediatric neurology research. At the symposium, she presents her most recent project:<\/span> Intubation in Pediatric Patients Presenting with Seizures to the Emergency Department.<\/span><\/i> This retrospective study uses BMC patient charts to consolidate data that examines <\/span>ways to prevent pediatric status epilepticus and adverse outcomes of seizing kids in the Emergency Department.<\/span> One aspect of Bayruns and her team\u2019s research examines unnecessary intubation rates in pediatric seizure patients. During intubation, a physician inserts a breathing tube into the patient, protecting their airway and providing artificial ventilation. It is thought that intubation rates may increase in the presence of less experienced physicians, but the data is still preliminary. Some children involved in these cases experience febrile seizures caused by fevers and often lack the need for intubation, but receive the intervention nonetheless. Like with most clinical research, more data must be extracted and analyzed until conclusive trends are identified. This analysis will include many patient factors such as age, seizure duration, antiepileptic drugs used, and intubation among others. Her work <\/span>plans to optimize pediatric seizure preventative care as well as the management of seizing kids in the Emergency Department. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her undergraduate program, neuroscience labs, and research experiences shaped Bayruns into the person that she is today. \u201cI felt a huge advantage compared to some of my classmates during my neuroscience units in medical school because my major covered the topic in such detail.\u201d She also learned that perseverance is key when trying to enter the realm of research. \u201cJust keep emailing,\u201d Bayruns says when asked how to find a research opportunity. \u201cYou may get rejected a bunch of times, but eventually you\u2019ll get a response from a lab you love.\u201d She urges undergraduate students to get involved in research but says that it is okay if you do not start early. \u201cTake your time and be sure to enjoy your undergraduate years.\u201d She hopes to continue her neuroscience journey by attending a pediatric residency and treating children impacted by neurological disorders. <\/span><\/p>\n Bayruns still cherishes the memories and experiences that she made in college. \u201cDr. Lipton and the neuroscience department do a great job at preparing everyone for medical research and research-based jobs.\u201d She also encourages undergraduate students to look into the field of neurology. \u201cYou never know,\u201d she playfully jokes, \u201cmaybe one day I\u2019ll mentor you as your attending!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n