Hello! My name is Aidan Blumsack and I am a second year (with junior standing) at Carolina. I am a Neuroscience and Chemistry double major, hoping to attend an MD/PhD program with a focus in the field of pediatric neurology. My short time at UNC has been life-changing and I cannot wait to see what the next two and a half years have in store for me.
My family will forever be the most important part of my life. I call my parents every day and they are my best friends. This connection with my family gives me motivation and is the origin of my passions. With familial ties to substance use disorder, I have grown up around a community of individuals in recovery. This is what initially pushed me toward pursuing research here at Carolina. I began my research journey in the Robinson Lab at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies. This started with learning the basics of animal handling and research and eventually progressed to studying neural flexibility in rats with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Coming into the lab, developing an understanding of preclinical research was the main focus of my time there. However, Dr. Robinson and the team there pushed me and gave me opportunities to explore so much more. I aided in the analysis of the pharmacokinetic curve of Allopregnanolone, assessing post-peak conditioned place preference. I developed microscopy skills and shadowed immunohistochemistry. This experience furthered my love for Neuroscience and made me realize how cool it all was.
While this experience was transformational for me, I knew I wanted to take a clinical approach to research. Stepping into preclinical work, the questions I asked myself always revolved around translation and clinical application. I knew the work I wanted to do for a career needed to be actionable and immediately impactful. This realization led me to pediatrics, as the most impact is seen in changes to youth and the developing brain is so fascinating. Along with mentors, peers, and experiences, this led me to pursue an MD/PhD.
As a Gil Intern, I am working at the Neurocognition and Imaging Research Lab (NIRL) under Dr. Belger. Here, we are focused on exploring functional anatomy and information selection in the typical human brain and comparing that data with the neural circuity present in schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders. Within the NIRL, I am participating in all three major projects. The first project, Pathways to Adolescent Success Study (PASS) studies how the brain, behavior, and lifestyle contribute to adolescent stress and the downstream impacts of said stress with the ultimate goal of creating more personalized anxiety treatment. The second project is the Psychosis Risk Outcomes Network (ProNET). ProNET is a multi-site, large-scale assessment of diagnosable signs of schizophrenia while it is still in the prodromal stages. The third study, which I am most involved with, is Stress Trajectories and Anhedonia in Adolescence Research Study (STAARS). STAARS is a project that studies thirteen to fifteen-year-olds and how their acute stress response system impacts the severity of anhedonia.
My current role in the lab involves acting as a Trier Social Stress Test panelist for PASS, assisting in placing EEGs and running tasks for ProNET, and collecting and managing the behavioral assays and self-reports for STAARS. Moreover, I am re-creating the Research Domain Criteria for STAARS, assessing the IRB protocol, and analyzing directional choices for the study. This experience has been truly eye-opening. The population we are assessing is within the scope of what I hope to specialize in, and the research we are doing is truly impactful. The approach the Belger lab takes is grounded yet novel, and the diverse knowledge present in the lab brings an interdisciplinary approach that coincides with my interests.
One of my focuses outside of research during this program has been interpersonal professional relationships. Getting to know the whole lab has been transformative, as it has allowed me to grow in ways I did not know were possible.
In the coming months with the NIRL, I hope to solidify my contribution by helping pilot STAARS and focusing on bringing my approach to research as I have a different background than many of those in the NIRL. This will involve getting into the weeds of the STAARS project by aiding in the organizational aspects of research and conducting visits with individuals who show signs of anhedonia.
Looking to the next few years here at Carolina, I am seeking new and exciting opportunities. I hope to keep my college experience varied and interdisciplinary while focusing on my interests and passions. One day, I hope to make a difference in the communities that made a difference for me.
I am extremely grateful to everyone at the NIRL for being incredible mentors and an overall helpful and fun team. Furthermore, I cannot thank Dr. Belger enough for aiding in my transition from preclinical to clinical research, guiding me, and showing me what passion in the sciences looks like. As for the coordinators of the Gil Internship, Dr. Steven Buzinski and Emily Dolegowski, I cannot thank them enough for the ability to take part in an experience like this. It has given me a new perspective on professional development and research while making an impact on my day-to-day approach to academia. I know the life lessons I learn from this program will accelerate my journey to graduate school and beyond.
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