Pharmacology Reflections

 Spring 2026 - Total Volunteering Hours: 66     This month I learned so much about how little we understand psychiatric illness. I was fascinated by all the ambiguity in the data. I am also inspired by all the hard work scientists have done so far to begin to unravel the mystery of the possible causes. Though, it is so incredibly difficult to create an animal model of something so subjective as depression, paranoia, or delusional psychosis. I found this module the most enjoyable by far. There is something exciting about a relatively new field. I am thrilled to one day play a role in uncovering the full extent of the mind-body relationship.      This month I volunteered at the Lowernine Food Pantry every Saturday for 6-7 hours, and I also tabled for the Tulane Brain Institute at Family Day Book Fest. Both were very fun and fulfilling. I enjoyed the pantry, as I always do, reconnecting with my community and welcoming newcomers. I also enjoyed the book festiva...

 Spring 2026 - Volunteering Hours: 36      This past month has been really pleasant. I enjoyed a lot of rest over the break, which was much needed after pulling two all-nighters for the last exam. Learning about the endocrine system was really fascinating, and I loved learning about all the different mechanisms that cells use to regulate their genetic transcription, a lot like a factory changing its production based on demand. I have really enjoyed the neurology module so far, particularly anesthetics, and I am happy to be back in classes!      This past month,  I also started volunteering in Dr. Lindsey's lab! I have been helping her to collect mice for DNA sample collection, document mice identifiers, log data, and prep samples for processing. It has been very interesting to support Dr. Lindsey's work, and I am very impressed by how much work goes into even the most simple of labs. It has truly been such a privilege to learn from her.   ...

 Spring 2026 - Volunteering Hours: 15 After returning from my visit to my parents, I came back to the program refreshed. I really enjoyed the first module on reproductive endocrinology, especially since, as a career-minded woman, I have had many experiences with birth control. It was also really fascinating to learn about diseases that are unique to women and people assigned-female-at-birth, especially after learning so much about conditions relating to erectile and prostate dysfunction. I am still adjusting to the new workload, which involves a lot more reading and presenting, with less emphasis on exams.  So far this semester, I have been able to volunteer at the food pantry Saturday January 17th and the 24th, both for 6 hours. I also volunteered 3 hours on Martin Luther King Day, January 19th, cleaning up a public park in the lower ninth ward. Volunteering has been really fun, I made a commitment to be more consistent this semester, because reconnecting with the community I...

 This month, I feel I experienced many breakthroughs.  I decided, in the beginning of the semester, to be a class representative. This posed many challenges, as each representative seemed to have a different style of communication, and I admittedly struggled to keep us all on the same page. However, I was able to get us all in a group chat and even started a log document for us all to reference in case anyone loses track. I also feel I was able to feel closer to the community of the program this month. I began studying with one of my classmates outside of class, which has made studying so much more fun! And I put myself out of my comfort zone to be more outgoing. I am very happy with the result, and I feel very grateful for everyone in this community for providing me this space to grow. I also abandoned my old study strategy of making one massive study guide, trading it in for handwritten notes and flashcards (with the advice of the great tutor Uma) - and I am so thrilled to s...

     In October, we learned about the many ways pharmaceuticals are applied to prevent and treat illnesses along the intersection of the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular systems. We even completed a simulation, treating an intelligent dummy, voiced by our professor Dr. Clarkson, for Non-ST elevated Myocardial Infarction - which was incredibly realistic and fascinating!      In my free time, I volunteered twice with the Lowernine Food Pantry - once October 11th and again October 25th (6 hours each shift). I did all the usual aspects of my role - signing people in and coordinating newcomers. It was fun! October 25th I even wore my Halloween costume - which was a Wizard. Since I wouldn't be able to really celebrate Halloween this year, with an exam right after the weekend of it, I thought it would be a fun idea. Oddly enough, my costume was too good - it involves a long grey beard, wizard hat, cape, staph, and even fake leather gloves. People did no...

I have really enjoyed learning about the mechanisms of different diseases and drugs so far in this program. It has been such an incredible honor to learn from PhDs and Doctors of medicine. I am always anxious to tell my friends and loved ones what I am learning, and it is so exciting! This past month, I volunteered for a total 12 hours between August 30th and September 13th at the Lowernine Food Pantry.  I've been volunteering at this food pantry for over a year now. I love this place because it truly feels like community. It can get messy and inefficient, but there's always good music and kind, hard-working people. There's so many regulars who come for food and who volunteer. I always love to catch-up with the manager (Naish) and his fiance (Berlin). Over the summer, Berlin was actually leading a program to teach young Black girls from all over the country about food systems and climate change. They were all so lovely and helpful, and this past Saturday was bittersweet sin...