29 Research Reflection by Summer Jones

Faculty Mentor: Kanokwan (Mandy) Bunsawat (Nutrition and Integrative Physiology College of Health, University of Utah)

I participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) at the University of Utah and was placed into the Utah Vascular Research Lab (UVRL) at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Kanokwan Bunsawat. I applied for this research lab because I had previous experience in plant and animal research but lacked any knowledge of human clinical studies. In the UVRL, I had the opportunity to observe numerous studies based on improving autonomic and vascular health, analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) data, and learn how techniques such as Flow-Mediated Dilation and Ultrasonography operated. Dr. Bunsawat allowed me to have an in-depth experience in learning how the experimental study process works, from the informed consent to the setup of a study room, and to data analysis. The UVRL as a group provided an open and collaborative environment where I could expand my knowledge and get experience in numerous types of studies. Additionally, I was given opportunities to refine skills in scientific writing as well as learn how the revision process works.