We want to send a huge congratulations to our DPT students who were recipients of the URI 2021 Enhanced Graduate Research Awards (EGRA)!
Briana Gough, SPT
Lauren Parente, SPT
Hannah Whalen, SPT
Taylor Worthington, SPT
The project was supervised by Dr. Christine Clarkin, “Analysis of Neurotrophic Factors as Markers of Neuroplasticity in People with Parkinson’s Disease” was selected as an award winner by the committee the Dean of the Graduate School created to review all applications. Below is an excerpt from their proposal:
“The purpose of this proposal is to advance our understanding of the relationship between exercise and neurotrophic factors and the potential role in neuroplasticity, specifically in people diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD).
This award will allow us to complete three different Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) to identify neurotrophic factors (VEGF, IGF-1, IL-6) in blood serum samples from PwPD that were collected during a previous study by Dr. Clarkin titled “LSVT BIG Exercise-Induced Neuroplasticity in People with Parkinson’s Disease.” Successful identification of changes in neurotrophic factors may help us link a neurobiological marker to exercise-induced functional changes.
As movement specialists, we constantly aim to provide an environment to stimulate neuroplasticity in all patients, especially those with neurological disorders. This research is extremely valuable to us as physical therapy students since it allows us to link neurobiology to our didactic and clinical physical therapy education, providing us with a rich appreciation for the scientific process that contributes to evidence-based practice, which will ultimately make us better clinicians. Our hope is that our findings will serve to bridge bench science and clinical practice, supplementing the growing body of clinical translational research.”
To see more information about the Enhanced Graduate Research Awards and view all of the 2021 Enhanced Graduate Research Award recipients, please click the link below: