Another Stop on my TRIP by Anabela Relvas

​So far, TRIP has been an amazing experience! I’ve loved getting to know everyone in the program these past couple of weeks. We’ve shared ideas, helped each other brainstorm, and worked through challenges together. It’s been a great learning experience, and I’ve really appreciated the collaborative atmosphere in the lab. Since my last blog, I’ve completed my kickoff experiment, learned how to conduct the Social Space Assay, analyzed data using cool software, and presented my findings to my peers and mentors. The Social Space Assay determines how social the flies are by measuring the distance between them. If they’re closer together, they’re more social. Unexpectedly, the flies that experienced head trauma were more social than the control group rather than less social, as I initially thought. Maybe the head trauma disrupted their brain in a way that increased sociability by affecting neurotransmitters or triggering a stress response that made them seek comfort in other flies. Or maybe they were just completely dazed and disoriented, and their normal social instincts went out the window. It’s hard to say for sure, but it really makes me wonder how much of our social behavior is driven by instinct or brain chemistry rather than being entirely conscious or intentional. Along with that, presenting my results was a great learning experience. It pushed me to think critically about data. I learned how to organize my slides properly, explain my results clearly, and keep an audience engaged. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned from this kickoff experiment to my independent project and the symposium.

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​For my independent project, I’m investigating how early-life stress, specifically UV radiation exposure in embryos, affects memory in larval fruit flies. I’m also looking at whether Vitamin D3 supplementation might help protect the flies’ brains from the potential negative effects of UV radiation and improve memory. I came up with this experiment idea because I’ve always been fascinated with the connection between our environment and brain development. Specifically, how early-life stress, like childhood trauma, might shape cognitive function and whether or not supplements like D3 can help the brain cope with trauma and stress. There’s still so much we don’t fully understand about how stress in childhood affects the brain later on in life, especially in teenagers, so I wanted to dig deeper into this idea. If an early-life stressor does impact cognitive function by affecting memory, it could suggest that young people who experience trauma may face challenges in areas like learning and academic performance. Understanding these effects could be an important step toward acknowledging how much our environment shapes us, and maybe, we could find better ways to support those who have been impacted by early-life stress. I can’t wait to start researching and see where it takes me!

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