Author: Meghan Underwood | Major: Kinesiology

Throughout the course of the Spring semester of 2022 and with the financial aid of the Honors College Research Grant, I completed my Honors College Thesis on the Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone on Water Retention. However, I began my research journey during my junior year. As a female student-athlete for the university, I have always been interested in the role of female primary sex hormones on athletic performance, and I knew I wanted to pursue a research project in this field. Therefore, it was an easy decision to reach out to Dr. McDermott and his research lab to collaborate on a project. One of Dr. McDermott’s PhD students, Whitley Atkins, had just begun a project intended to compare eumenorrheic women to those using oral contraceptives in terms of water turnover rate. Whitley went above and beyond to teach me about her research project, show me lab techniques, and help me formulate my own project under her guidance. Throughout the semester and with continued guidance from both Dr. McDermott and Whitley, I was able to successfully complete my honors thesis as well as learn more about the numerous physiological effects of estrogen and progesterone.

Before beginning this research project, I knew little information about the proven effects of estrogen and progesterone on fluid balance in women. Throughout the time I spent reviewing literature and data from this study, I learned about the numerous and significant homeostatic alterations that occur throughout the menstrual cycle. Although I am grateful for the time, I was able to dedicate to learn about what is already understood about the menstrual cycle and its effects on fluid balance, the greatest takeaway I will have from this project is a desire to continue to research and learn more. I began my project with a much smaller list of questions regarding the multifaceted roles of primary female sex hormones than I will be leaving with, but this is a great position to be in as I am about to embark on a year-long research internship at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital after I graduate. I will work under the mentorship of Dr. Ashish Shah, a foot-and-ankle orthopedic surgeon and researcher, and alongside his team of interns and medical students to conduct multiple research projects in the field of exercise science. My goals over the course of this year are to not only publish multiple research projects, but also to learn as much as I can about the field of orthopedics and orthopedic research before beginning medical school the following year. I also hope to take this time to learn about the MD/PhD dual degree track before entering medical school, so that I can make the best decision for myself in my career path. Altogether, I cannot express enough gratitude for the Honors College Research grant, Dr. McDermott and Whitley’s time and mentorship, and all  the support I have received at the University of Arkansas to prepare me for the next step in my academic and professional career.