Presentations

• Louisiana Biomedical Research Network’s Summer Undergraduate Research Forum (August 2014)
• LSU Discover Research Day (March 2014)
• Society of Neuroscience Conference in Washington D.C. (November 2014)

Overview

• Conducted a unimanual handwriting analysis using a WALCOM Intuos digitizer tablet and an electronic non-inking pen. The handwriting analysis measured the effects of Tai Chi participation for those with Parkinson’s Disease. Contacted participants, scheduled a time for their experiments and guided them through the experiment. 
  • Later, I analyzed data and created graphs in Excel of the data from the young, elderly, and Parkinson’s Diseased participants. 
  • I researched under Dr. Arend Van Gemmert in the Kinesiology Motor Behavior Department at LSU. My research was partially supported from the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) Award, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and designed for undergraduate Biomedical research.

December 2014        

• Gathered research findings from the Fall 2013 study to measure the effects of age on spatial interference in bimanual coordination. Created a poster for a major scientific conference in Washington D. C.

Summer 2014

• Also collected data on a exercise physiology study about body type specific workout routines.  

Spring 2014

• Collected data for a major BREC study funded to measure community parks’ potential to facilitate social capital and physical activity, using questionnaires and interviews in dog parks, tennis courts, and walking paths. 

Fall 2013 

• Operated a bimanual handwriting analysis in young, elderly, and Parkinson’s Disease partakers. The study required two monitors, a WACOM Intuos digitizer tablet, and a computer with MAT lab accessibility. The study measured the interdependence of direction and amplitude in bimanual coordination in young adults. 
• In addition to this study, I also assisted as a helper for Tai Chi classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The classes were implemented to demonstrate how Tai Chi class participation affects Parkinson’s Disease. 

​Fall 2012

• Performed basic biochemistry techniques such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), electrophoresis, pipetting, and infrared imaging in E.coli and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Assisted in a study detailing mechanisms of gene expression  in DNA binding transcription factors and regulation of such proteins. RNA polymerase III, which transcribes genes for regulation of cell growth, was studied to demonstrate how altering transcription factors can inhibit or encourage protein synthesis. 

LSU College of Human Sciences and Education Dean, Dr. Damon Andrew, Kristina Hickey, Bryce Simon

Personal Study I Conducted Detailing Benefits of Tai Chi and Other Exercise in Parkinson's Disease

Dr. Arend Van Gemmert, Kristina Hickey, Zhujun Pan