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Stella C

- Research Program Mentor

MD/PhD candidate at Tufts University

Expertise

Neuroscience, Metabolism

Bio

I'm currently a fifth year MD-PhD student at Tufts University, in the third year of my PhD. My research is in neuroscience, specifically looking at how the hypothalamus regulates metabolism (half of all genes associated with obesity are located in the nervous system!). We use mice, and delete our gene of interest from the hypothalamus and observe how it changes their weight, food intake, and metabolism. Outside of school, I'm really interested in baking, and I'm always on the lookout for more recipes to try. I've gotten more into playing video games in the past year (thanks covid). I look forward to meeting you, and I strive to give you supportive mentorship!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Neural Mechanisms of Prosocial Behavior

Prosocial behaviors can be modeled in other species, including rats. One example is a rat releasing another rat from a restrainer (a source of stress). This project would aim to examine which regions of the brain and how they are involved in creating type of behavior. This would involve looking at identifying brain regions that are associated with rewarding behaviors, as well as social interactions.

Languages I know

Mandarin

Teaching experience

Worked in undergrad with a program called CollegeSpring, which offered SAT tutoring and college guidance for under-privileged youth in San Francisco and Oakland, CA. A While in my MD/PhD program, I proctored biochemistry small groups for first-year medical students to help them practice applying concepts from lecture to cases.

Credentials

Work experience

WellBrain (2016 - 2017)
Research Assistant

Education

University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
BA Bachelor of Arts (2017)
Neuroscience, Psychology
Tufts University
MD/PhD Doctor of Medicine and of Philosophy candidate
Neuroscience

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