Author: Sadie Thompson | Major: Exercise Science | Semester: Fall 2024
Pictured: Sadie Thompson performing hypothalamic RNA isolation
My name is Sadie Thompson and I’m a senior exercise science major in the College of Education and Health Professions. I conduct research under my advisor, Dr. Megan Rosa-Caldwell, within the department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. The goal of our lab is to investigate the underlying and potentially long-term health complications of anorexia nervosa using rat models. During the 2024 fall semester, my primary focus was helping collect data for our on-going studies, analyzing MRI brain scans, and performing RNA isolation to determine gene expression. This upcoming semester, I plan to finish data collection for gene expression and move forward with data analysis and quantification for my thesis.
My primary research topic for my thesis project is comparing the hypothalamic hormone synthesis in various stages of anorexia nervosa (AN) recovery. AN has one of the highest mortality rates amongst all other psychiatric disorders and causes many different health complications, some of which aren’t directly perceivable and can be long-term. By studying the effects of AN on an individual, we can contribute to the understanding of long-lasting pathophysiological implications which in turn can help progress the potential development of therapeutic interventions.
In the Spring of 2024, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Dr. Rosa-Caldwell’s lab early in the semester by getting an email about professors who were looking for students to work in their lab. When I saw that she researched AN, I knew I wanted to join her lab for my thesis project because I had always been interested in learning more about AN and eating disorders in general. Choosing my research topic was somewhat of a challenge because I had to come up with something that hasn’t been researched before. I was passionate about women’s health and very interested in endocrinology so I knew I wanted to focus on something in that realm. Eventually, with the help of Dr. RC and reading a bunch of previous literature, I was able to narrow down my topic to focus on the comparison of hormone synthesis within the hypothalamus throughout the stages of AN recovery. Throughout preforming data collection/analysis and reading prior research, I’ve learned about the disturbances AN can have on the production of key hormones and these complications possibly not returning to their normal function after recovery.
Dr. Rosa-Caldwell has been a tremendous help in every aspect of this project. From choosing a research topic to performing PCR (polymerase chain reaction), she has guided me along every step of the way. She has taught me so much about the research world I never knew existed, and I’m so grateful for her mentorship. My lab team has also helped me so much in navigating this new environment. It has been so fun working alongside them and supporting each other’s projects.
In the upcoming spring 2025 semester, I plan on wrapping up all my data analysis and collection; and focus on writing my thesis. I’m also looking forward to presenting my findings at a few conferences alongside Dr. RC and my lab partners. I’m eager to see what next semester holds!