Get ready for comps with Mekhla Singhania!

In today's episode, our guest of honor is... Mekhla Singhania! We discuss Mekhla's experience preparing for her comprehensive exam.

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Fact check!

• The term theory of mind was established in the 1978 paper by David Premack and Guy Woodruff. Theory of mind refers to the ability to understand and think about the mental states of other people.

• Approved by the FDA in 2010, botulinum toxin injections (Botox) may serve as a potential treatment for chronic migraines. Botox is one of many neuromodulating drugs and is typically thought to work by interfering with pain-related neurotransmission where nerve meets muscle in the face, head, and neck.

• Nanotechnology involves the study and application of nanoscale materials–controlling individual atoms is paramount–and is utilized across scientific disciplines. The term “nanotechnology” was first coined by Professor Norio Taniguchi, but modern practice manifested in 1981 after development of the scanning tunneling microscope, which allowed scientists to “see” and manipulate individual atoms.

• Translational research, which generally spans 4 stages (development, testing, institutionalization, and evaluation), explores how research outputs become societal practice (e.g., like when a research drug becomes available as a prescription).

• Clinical trials test the safety and efficacy of new drugs, diets, or medical devices for/in humans. These trials may also examine early identification of diseases, quality of life for individuals living with a life-threatening disease or chronic health problems, and the role of caregivers and support groups. Before the FDA approves a new clinical trial, researchers test safety and efficacy in animals–this is a preclinical model.

• According to the FDA, the pipeline for a new drug from laboratory to public use follows a five-step process: (1) Discovery and Development, which involves the start of research in the laboratory; (2) Preclinical Research, involving laboratory and animal testing to answer safety questions; (3) Clinical Research, where testing begins in humans to assess safety and efficacy; (4) FDA Review, examination begins of all data from the drug and device to make approve for use; (5) FDA Post-Market Saftey Monitoring–the FDA continues to monitor the drug/device after approval for use by the public.

• Macaques are highly suitable models of disease with cost effective breeding/housing and close evolutionary ties to humans. Because of these characteristics, these animals are the most common non-human primates used in biomedical research.

• The Department of Defense (DoD) is not a private or commercialized funding source. The DoD is funded by Congress, and therefore classified as federal funding.

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