Spring 2022
NEUSCI 401, B H 311,
HONORS 394, P BIO 499
NEUSCI 401
This neuroanatomy course was quite a change from NEUSCI 301, as my performance was entirely dependent on rote memorization. This was also my first time taking the neuro exams in person, which meant I couldn't rely on any notes. In spite of these challenges, I was able to develop a learning style I was comfortable with. A huge part of this was using Anki, a flashcard program I had used in the biology series. My commitment to creating and studying cards every day led me to a point where I could visualize all of the anatomical images in my mind.
Some of my favorite topics were the cranial nerve nuclei, the descending motor tracts, and the oculomotor system, which also happened to be on the exam that I aced! It was amazing to see and touch the parts we were learning about when our professor brought human brains and spinal cords to our class. I also realized how applicable everything was when I actually understood what the subarachnoid space, retrograde tracing, and subcortical structures were in conversations I had at my lab. Although this class was frankly mentally draining at times, I'm excited to see how I will encounter the other topics we covered in future courses or research.
HONORS 394
I was looking forward to this class because it examined how Chicana feminist theories are delivered through digital media, thus combining my interests in feminism and music. Unfortunately, it just ended up being a lot of busy work and trying to stay engaged during long Zoom sessions. The only part that I somewhat enjoyed was the Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala Symposium, an event that I got to promote through social media and create an altar for, as seen on the right. My peers and I wanted to celebrate the lives of working mothers, which we creatively did through contrasting colors and displaying flowers made of Legos.
P BIO 499
This quarter, I finally started working with monkeys at the Washington National Primate Research Center! Whether it was chairing a monkey, running the experiment independently, or assisting with a surgery, I gained a research experience that I never would have imagined having. I combined this data with my rat project to give a presentation on assessing changes in the strength of corticospinal connections after spinal cord injury at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. I was thrilled when several of the audience members told me that of the six neuroscience presentations in this session, mine was the most accessible and easy to understand!