Catching up with Branch Out’s researchers
Are you wondering what Branch Out’s student researchers are up to? We’ve interrupted a couple of them to hear how their projects have been going!
July 10, 2014
Christopher Clarke
Major is biology, minor is psychology at Grant McEwan University.
“For thousands of years humans have treated disease with natural products with great efficacy. I think recently we have become so accustomed to prescribing a drug or resorting to invasive procedures we have lost sight of the potential that they hold.”
Chris hadn’t been able to explore the field of neuroscience in as much depth as he would like. This summer and thanks to the Branch Out Foundation Undergraduate Summer Studentship Grant Program, he has been able to play an integral role in a randomized control trial, testing Acetyl-L-Carnitine to Enhance Nerve Regeneration in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
He’s met patients afflicted with nerve injury and been present at 2 surgeries. He has found that researching alternative medicine is extremely interesting.
Chris feels what he has learnt most has been from the patients themselves, “the fact that they can still be optimistic and happy in light of what they have gone through is pretty amazing.”
Yamille Jasaui
Masters student in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary, working in the area of adolescent mental health.
Yamile’s work this summer specializes in improving the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for youth with major depressive disorder (MDD). She’s developing a potential treatment, which will hopefully provide effective symptom improvement, without the negative side effects that come with conventional treatments.
Completing her MSc, with the help of the Branch Out Neurological Foundation, has provided Yamille with the platform to pursue her goal of continuing to research mental health.
“I hope to collaborate with other major researchers in the field, gain valuable knowledge and skills in neuroimaging and brain stimulation technology, and to continue to advance my career as a cutting-edge scientist in the field of mental health.”
Branch Out hopes the research grants will continue to have an impact on the students, the future of alternative medicine and ultimately the many people who suffer from neurological disorders.
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