January

 January Hours: 0, Total Hours: 0

Unfortunately, we were moved to fully remote for this month due to the increase in COVID cases. The curriculum is different than last semester in that we have different classes with slightly different structures such as environmental signaling, neuropharmacology, and endocrine pharmacology. In medical pharmacology, we went over certain endocrine disorders and pharmacology such as thyroid disorders as well as the treatments of diabetes. It was interesting learning about the insulin signaling and insulin resistance mechanisms as well as how this applies to the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although the guidelines for diabetes are long, the drug lists are constantly expanding for diabetes therefore we were only responsible for learning and understanding the different drug classes. Considering that the US is faced with an increasingly aging population, the incidence of diabetes is rising, therefore these treatment methods are highly relevant and are constantly being modified and expanded. 

We also had our presentation in neuropharmacology on Parkinson’s Disease this month, specifically on new mechanisms within monamine oxidase inhibitors. We also did a team based learning which was helpful in working through and understanding clinical cases involving diabetes treatment. Working collaboratively allowed for better understanding of the material which helped prepare us for the test. This month we were introduced to our cellular control mechanisms class in which we had lectures in apoptosis and intracellular signaling mechanisms. The environmental signaling class is highly relevant to our current changing world and is exposing me to much new information as I had never taken an environmental systems class. I hope to return to in person learning in February and stay more involved with service in the local New Orleans community.

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