Music Mends Minds (MMM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates musical support groups for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and PTSD. These musical support groups foster a community between the musicians and singers, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers, all of whom thrive on the socialization and music making. MMM also aims to educate our community and public about the latest scientific findings regarding the benefits of music and brain through several platforms including online and in print resources.

Worked on testing the effects of PFBS on trophoblast cells, which are specialized cells that transfer nutrients between mother and infant. Performed PCR and cell staining for each experiment. Used ImageJ to count cells affected by PFBS and ran statistical information on Excel. Presented research and work at the 2018 NCSSM Research Symposium.

Provided assistance in creating new organic compounds for future use in medicine and focused on developing efficient carbon bond formation strategies for bioactive heterocycle synthesis. Tested and cataloged the physical properties of all synthesized organic compounds. Paper has been accepted and published in Tetrahedron.

Project Head was Dr. Gregg Gunnell. Worked with two other interns to scan fossilized primates from Egypt and Madagascar, rendering 3D images on online programs such as Avizo, and uploading 3D scan images to MorphoSource, a public 3D fossil domain used by researchers and museums around the world. Also conducted research on sexual dimorphism in extinct subfossil lemurs. Research was presented to the NCSSM Research Symposium.