Michael Digaetano Email & Phone Number

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

Piscataway, Nj

Dillon Hall

As an RA, I serve my fellow hall members in multiple facets, which include acting as advisor and counselor. I also serve to organize dorm events which involve volunteering and social events. Such events include volunteering at a local charity organization, such as the South Bend Center for the Homeless or Veteran’s shelter. From my own experience as an underclassman, I found that service events are an effective way for the members of a section to make friends and engage with others not only on campus but also in the South Bend community.

Notre Dame, In

In Dr. Mechtenberg’s Lab, I research sustainable energy and the impact of electricity on rural clinics in Uganda, with a purpose to reduce the mortality rates in the operating room and encourage the implementation of reliable back-up systems. Often incorporated as part of the design for back-up energy systems, the gravity light is a device that can generate electricity in a time of need when the power goes out during and operation and/or in an emergency. Hand crank or bicycle generators can also be used in emergency situations. Aside from the implementation of back-up energy systems, another purpose is to encourage the education of medical professionals in techniques and protocols for when the clinic/hospital suffers from a power outage.

Notre Dame, In

In this position, I help the students with any questions that they have on the content of the lab or the techniques associated with the lab. General Biology A, involves a focus on cellular biology and assisting Dr. Champion’s Lab with their tuberculosis research. Aside from the standard roles of a TA, I also served as a mentor to help develop their scientific writing abilities. General Biology B involves a close study of fetal pig anatomy and physiology as well as a project on stream ecology. In this position, I administered and graded the blood vessels portion of the anatomy and physiology practical. I also help guide the students through the dissection of their fetal pigs.

Notre Dame, In

Since the start of my sophomore year, I have been serving as a tutor for both General Chemistry I and II as well as for both Organic Chemistry I and II. I typically tutor up between 5-10 students a semester. Some sessions are one-on-one and others are in small groups. Aside from tutoring freshman and sophomore college students, I also tutor high school students preparing for AP and/or IB classes. Through tutoring, I have discovered a love of teaching others new concepts or explaining ideas in a different way in order to promote learning.

Notre Dame, In

In the fall semester of my junior year, I served as a TA for the General Chemistry 1 Lab. In this position, I graded the lab quizzes and replenished the stock solutions and lab materials. Aside from these tasks, I was also responsible for helping the freshman students complete the follow-up assignments and post-lab questions. If there were any questions that appeared to have the majority of students in confusion, I would present a lecture on the material to help the students more effectively complete the assignments.

South Bend, In

The Sheets’ lab studies pain pathways through the brain using techniques such as stereotactic tracer injection to insert the fluorescent tracers, surgical cuff injuries to look pain circuitry, and electrophysiology to patch neurons. The process involves performing the surgeries, patching the neurons, processing the slices, and then conducting two-photon imaging to detect the fluorescent tags. Through this process, we can effectively map the projections in the limbic regions of the brain and the interactions of cortico-PAG (periaqueductal gray) and corticoamygdalar neurons.

Morristown, Nj

The summer after my sophomore year, I completed an eight week internship at the New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute (NJPNI) in Morristown, NJ. During the eight weeks, I interacted with the patients and their families when shadowing the neurosurgeons in the practice. Aside from shadowing, I also conducted clinical research, ran impact tests, and helped write some of the visit notes for the doctors. Lastly, at the end of each week, the summer interns and I would help in the clinics, in which a team of doctors examined patients based on their spasticity, craniofacial symptoms, or developmental milestones.

Notre Dame, In

As VP, I served as Dillon Hall’s representative during Hall Presidents Council. I also worked to coordinate dances, charity events, and inter- and intra-hall activities to raise money for local causes. Causes included Hannah and Friends, a home for adults with special needs, and the Center for the Homeless in South Bend/Veteran’s shelter. My role required a thorough understanding of the needs of the dorm so that I could effectively advocate on the dorm’s behalf at student government meetings. I have also served as a member of our Welcome Week staff, aiding freshman in their transition to college.

Livingston, Nj

At St. Barnabas Medical Center, I completed a 6 week “mini-med school” internship, involving weekly rotations throughout various fields in the hospital (2 weeks with the neurosurgical team, 2 weeks with the general surgery team, and 2 weeks in the surgical ICU/burn unit ICU). During the internship, I worked in the clinic, especially the burn clinic applying bandages and treatments. Part of the internship also included conducting research and presenting at a conference on a topic of my choice at the end of the 6 weeks. My presentation analyzed the effects of the emotion and pain centers of the periaqueductal gray on human interactions and dispositions.

Clifton, Nj

After my freshman year, I spent 5-6 weeks shadowing Dr. Josephine Jasper. While shadowing, I was responsible for meeting with patients, recording their histories, and updating their charts. I also assisted Dr. Jasper with in-office procedures, most commonly biopsies. In order to effectively perform the tasks assigned to me, I had to research many diseases related to endocrinology while also learning important questions to ask while taking a patient’s history. This shadowing experience was my first true exposure to medicine. It showed me a more realistic view of medicine and fostered my desire to pursue a future in medicine.

Doctor Of Medicine - Md

Activities and Societies: Gold Humanism Honors Society Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award in Emergency Medicine Distinction.

Bachelor’S Degree, Science-Business

Activities and Societies: Anchor Leadership Program, American Cancer SocietyIn the Anchor Leadership Program (ALP), I served as a freshman.

High School

Activities and Societies: National Honors Society, Seton Scholar Program, National Merit Scholar (Commended), AP Scholar, Cultures.