Kenya Barnes Email & Phone Number

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

P.I.: Dr. Kirstie Cummings, NeurobiologyMy research is focused on understanding how an intervening positive experience can shape fear memory and neural activity after a traumatic experience, specifically, neural mechanisms by which morphine can alter auditory fear memories in males and females with respect to PTSD. I analyze mice brain slices to better understand the relation between fear memory in the PL, IL, and DP regions in the brain following fear conditioning and retrieval. I have developed laboratory techniques such as analyzing mice behavior via auditory fear conditioning and retrieval, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence imaging and quantification.

New York, New York, United States

P.I.: Dr. Silvia De RubeisAs a Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) student, I conducted research with Dr. Silvia De Rubeis. The De Rubeis lab focuses on understanding the developmental defects resulting from disruptive mutations in novel high-risk genes such as the DDX3X gene which was identified from the lab’s ongoing large-scale genomic studies in autism (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). My research aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying DDX3X syndrome, a rare genetic condition associated with ID and ASD manifesting primarily in girls. My project looked to characterize connections between the visual anterolateral cortex (VISal) and the medullary reticular nucleus (MdRN) to validate the feasibility of manipulating the neurons via Designer Receptors Activated Only by Designer Drugs (DREADDS). I created novel coordinates for the adult mouse brain utilizing stereotaxic surgery to retrogradely trace cells in the MdRN in addition to bilaterally assessing cells in the VISal to further study the DDX3X gene. I developed skills including western blotting, immunoprecipitation, animal behavior, stereotaxic surgery, and dendrite analysis via FIJI and ImageJ programs.

Leuven, Flemish Region, Belgium

I conducted research at KU Leuven with their Faculty of Medicine group ExpORL (Experimental Oto-, Rhino-, Laryngology). My research focused on drivers of motivation for people with hearing impairments in relation to using a new form of audiological rehabilitation via mHealth. During my time abroad, I conducted a literature-based review on the psychology behind motivation and drivers motivation, adherence, and engagement. I presented this research at the EuroScholars symposium and wrote a full manuscript about my research. My time abroad truly changed my life in terms of opening my eyes as a global citizen. This program confirmed my love and interest for research and further led me to want to become a physician scientist. I saw that the world is so much bigger than me and even the United States and that I could play a bigger part by considering those outside of my peers. There are so many cultures and different values when providing care for their citizens than the United States.

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Acted as a campus ambassador to promote the COVID-19 vaccine initiative. The position consisted in social media marketing that provides the general public with COVID-19 vaccine information in addition to planning various vaccine initiative events around the greater Birmingham area to promote health and wellness during this global pandemic.

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

I received academic enrichment in multiple disciplines (Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Statistics) in addition to didactic instruction on health science topics, Scientific Writing, and Critical Reasoning. The program included seminars on alternate healthcare opportunities and specialties and lectures on health disparities and determinants of health. We received career development activities with one-on-one sessions and mock interviews, workshops on study skills, life skills, time management skills, and financial literacy in addition to leadership development exercises and team-building skills.

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

During the summer of 2019, I was selected as one of five students for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Surgery Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds (PRISM). The program gives underrepresented high school students an opportunity to understand the research process and how discoveries in modern medicine can lead to improved patient care. During the eight-week experience, I participated in a research project co-led by myself and an undergraduate student under the mentorship of Dr. Brenessa Lindeman. The purpose of our project was to measure the general public’s awareness on the sub-specialty of Endocrine Surgery so that we may find a useful tool in informing the public of their medical options in addition to improving patient literacy and understanding. In addition, I attended the university’s lectures and seminars on writing professional research abstracts and papers and developing successful research presentations. As a result of my research, I presented nationally at the 2020 Academic Surgical Congress in February of the year 2020 in addition to UAB’s Department of Surgery and Summer Undergraduate Symposium in July of 2019. I had the opportunity to submit both an abstract and paper for publication as co-first author and I am now published in the Journal of Surgical Research.

Bachelor'S Of Science, Neuroscience, Magna Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: TrailBlazers (2021-2024), Honors College (2020-2024), Alpha Epsilon Delta (2021-2022), Minority Association.

Neuroscience Research Student

The goal of my research while at KU Leuven is to assess experiences and behaviours using Ecological Momentary Assessment to maximize.

4.73

Activities and Societies: National Honor Society; English National Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society; First Tee of Northwest.