Deans’ Summer Research Fellowship (DSRF) Story: Emma Pophal
Author: Emma Pophal
What was your major research question for the DSRF project and where do you hope this project will go?
This summer, my research focused on understanding aspects of epilepsy through hands-on laboratory techniques. I specifically looked at quantifying the change of parvalbumin (a type of inhibitory neuron) cell density in mouse hippocampus after being seizure induced through optokindling. I gained exposure to procedures I wouldn’t have had time for during a semester with a full course load, including slicing brain tissue and freeze-drying mouse brains. These experiences deepened my technical skills and understanding of experimental neuroscience. I hope to build on this work in a senior thesis, further developing my abilities in scientific writing and communicating research findings to others.
What challenges did you encounter during your research and how did you work through these difficulties?
One of the main challenges was investing significant time into protocols that ended up being flawed or not producing anticipated results. This required reworking and reframing experiments, which could feel tedious. However, collaborating with fellow undergraduates in the lab provided essential support and perspective, helping me navigate these difficulties successfully.
What sparked your interest in this field?
As a Neuroscience major, I’ve always been motivated to apply what I learn in the classroom to medicine. I hope to become a pediatric neurologist, and much of my shadowing experience has been in an epilepsy monitoring unit of a pediatric hospital. I wanted to gain wet lab research experience exploring the underlying mechanisms of epilepsy, a devastating condition that affects many people. I was thrilled to secure a position in an epilepsy research lab at Duke, which allowed me to combine my academic interests in neuroscience with the clinical applications I observed in epilepsy monitoring unit.
Curious about DSRF?
This project was made possible through the Deans’ Summer Research Fellowship (DSRF)—a unique opportunity for rising juniors and seniors in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences to pursue funded summer research full-time!
Effective this 2025-2026 Academic year, we are rebranding DSRF to be the Trinity Summer Undergraduate Mentored Research Fellowship (T-SUMR)! If you're pursuing graduation with distinction and are passionate about research, consider applying to T-SUMR in December of your Sophomore or Junior year.
