Week 1 - Caleb Jones

 With week one of our immersion term coming to a close, I am excited by the potential of the coming weeks. I had very little idea/expectations as to how this first week would go. Initially, the research/shadowing experiences were ill-defined, but everyone I have met down here so far has made great efforts to make sure I make the most out of my time here.

My mentor, Dr. Gauthier, is a clinician that specializes in multiple sclerosis (MS) and participates in various research projects that aim to enhance our understanding of the characteristic lesions observed in MS patient MRI scans. I was able to shadow here on Wednesday and observe how she handles routine check-ups with MS patients. Because MS is chronic and patients are typically coming on and off medications over the span of years to decades, these visits are crucial to assess disease progression or remission. Assessments are made on subjective patient experiences' of symptoms since the last visit, as well as assessments of sensorimotor function. Additionally, Dr. Gauthier will go over MRI images of MS lesions with the patient and discuss any observed changes. 

DR. Gauthier and her group are interested in MS lesions that present with a iron-laden rim around the demyelinated tissue. These iron rings are thought to be associated with a local immune response that contributes to inflammation - a physiological state that may drive progression of a rim-positive lesion. Standardized quantitative image analysis is desired to reliably assess the quantity and spatial distribution of these tissue elements of interest. 

Just this morning, I met with Dr. Gillen and Dr. Thanh to discuss a specific project that aims to develop new image analysis techniques in imageJ. I will be working with MRI and microscopy data from post-mortem MS brain slabs.

I am excited to finish settling in and get in a good workflow with this project. It has been great to experience NYC thus far and hang out with members of the cohort. Special thanks to all the Weill-Cornell faculty that worked hard to make this happen in such uncertain times. 

Until next week,

Caleb Jones

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