Meet Melissa: Titans Cheerleader & Vanderbilt Medical Researcher

Another great interview from our friends at ScienceCheerleader.com:

Meet Melissa, a Tennessee Titans Cheerleader and a medical researcher at Vanderbilt University, specializing in molecular neuroimaging. Last we heard from Melissa, she and her co-cheerleading/scientist pals sent us this greeting:

Melissa’s back as a participant in our ongoing effort to playfully challenge stereotypes and inspire young women to consider careers in science and technology. Our favorite quote from Melissa: “I wish I had a knack for Newton’s laws, but I’m much better with action potentials!” Goooo Melissa!

What type of scientist are you, Melissa?

melissatitansI am currently working as a clinical research coordinator specializing in neuroimaging. I was a neuroscience major at Vanderbilt University and since graduating, have devoted myself to full time medical research at Vanderbilt. I worked in a molecular neuro/psychiatric lab for two years, studying genetic expression of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease, and since then, I joined the aforementioned neuroimaging group, specializing in PET, fMRI, and fat-water imaging. I am trained in various molecular techniques, including but not limited to qPCR, primary tissue culture, DNA and RNA extraction. With regard to neuroimaging, I am trained to use many imaging analysis tools such as statistical parametric mapping and voxel based morphometry. My title is Research Assistant II: Neuro Radiology.

Read the rest over at ScienceCheerleader.com

[Melissa’s on the Titan’s Website]

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