Researching Cardiac Arrests and Brain Trauma

​CHOP is at the cutting edge of pediatric care being one of the leading children’s hospitals in the country. Dr. Todd Kilbaugh’s lab focuses primarily on research advancing care relating to cardiac arrests and brain trauma. Major pieces of this opportunity were shadowing Dr. Kilbaugh in the PICU, observing various swine model studies from start to sample collection, and data analyses projects with data from the studies. ​ 

I spent time working alongside members of the lab team learning the intricacies of complex experiments such as mitochondrial respirometry while also spending time shadowing clinically in the PICU. This opportunity also allowed me to observe a multitude of swine study operations and complete projects analyzing data from those studies.​

I learned that I likely will not end up in the PICU. Despite feeling a sense of calling towards a focus in pediatric medicine in the future, the PICU was just seemed far too emotionally taxing. This experience affirmed that my interests in medicine primarily focus on day-to-day interactions with patients.​ My time at CHOP informed my career insofar as I left with a much better understanding of what working in the PICU and lab entails. It also informed me about the myriad paths to entering the medical field that forgo medical school. ​

I, certainly, improved my skills in Excel through my data analysis project. My time in the PICU also strengthened my interpersonal awareness and empathy while juggling the formidable emotional toll on families​

I enjoyed getting in the elevator’s and there almost always being an incredibly cute child trying to press all the buttons. I also appreciated learning about the logistics behind  a leading lab’s work such as exhaustive project proposals and grant applications. 

Internship funded by the Annual Fund for Career Readiness.