athelia rosa paulli
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
Duke University 2016
Duke University 2016
Education
UCLA
Pre-Med Post Bacc 2017-2019
In preparation for the MCAT and my future medical career, I spent two years taking science classes through the UCLA Extension program. Sparked by my time working in clinical research at the Duke Hospital via the Pearson Lab, I realized that I would not ever feel fulfilled in my professional and personal goals if I didn't pour my heart and soul into pursuing medicine, in addition to research. As a result, I began a pre-med post bacc at UCLA, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout the course of my studies. The privilege of taking these classes reinvigorated my love for scientific learning and served as a potent reminder that understanding the scientific principles underlying the nuances of neurobiochemistry are vital to conducting relevant and necessary research.
Duke University
Neuroscience, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) 2012 - 2016
Home of the Blue Devils, Duke University has about 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.
My Activities: Research Associate (RA) for the Duke Lab of NeuroGenetics, Psychology and Neurosciences VIP Fellow, RA for the Hoyle Psych & Neuroscience Lab, Me Too Monologues actor, All of the Above Monologues actor, Small Town Records Executive Marketing/Creative Director, Blue Devils United (LGBTQ organization) Executive, member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, DJ at WXDU Radio, LDOC Committee Member, Campus Tour Guide, Project PWAVES (orientation program) Staff Member, Undergraduate Neuroscience Major's Union memberSingapore American School2004 - 2012The Singapore American School is a private school in Singapore. Established in 1956, the school offers an American-based curriculum from preschool through to Grade 12 for approximately 3,800 expatriate students, making it the largest international school in the world. Approximately two-thirds of the students at SAS are United States citizens, with the rest of the student body comprising more than 50 nationalities. Academically, SAS has the largest number of high school students enrolled in Advanced Placement Program courses of any international school in the world, delivering 29 AP courses as an integral part of high school course options. SAS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the United States.
My Activities: President of Executive Community Service Council, President of Habitat for Humanity, President of Thespian Society, Director/Producer/Actor for Theatre Department, member of National Honor Society, member of Peace Initiative, member of Spanish Honor SocietyResearch & VOLUNTEER Experience
California Hospital Medical Center
Research Assistant 2017 - Present
As a COPE Health Scholar, I spend a minimum of 8 hours a week volunteering at California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC), assisting nurses and doctors with tasks within my scope of practice, while simultaneously helping to improve patient experience and wellbeing while in hospital. I have rotated between several departments, including labour and delivery, pediatrics, general medicine, couplet care, antepartum, the emergency department, and the education department.
Having spent the majority of my time in the couplet care and labour and delivery departments, I’ve gleaned valuable knowledge about effectively and thoughtfully caring for mothers in labour, mothers in postpartum recovery, and newborns. I am currently working on a research proposal aiming to decrease incidence of mother-child separation due to maternal substance abuse, by providing high-risk, expectant mothers with a broader spectrum of info on the fetal and legal repercussions of substance abuse during pregnancy.
Thus far I have devoted over 500 hours to the patients at CHMC.
Pearson Lab of Computational NeuroscienceClinical Research Associate 2016-2017
Headed by Dr. John Pearson, the Duke Pearson Lab conducts research in computational neuroscience ranging from behavioral modeling using deep neural networks, to human intraoperative, multi-electrode recordings and analyses. My work with the Pearson Lab provided generous experience in computationally tackling big data, a regular chance for patient interaction, and the opportunity to take ownership over the full research process, from the initial experimental design, through the data collection, to the subsequent data analysis.Over the past year I collected all human-subject data accrued through the lab’s two unique patient populations at the Duke University Hospital. Parkinson’s patients undergoing implantation of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) participate in intraoperative tasks aimed at gaining a better understanding of the involvement of the sub thalamic nucleus (STN) in impulsivity, conflict, and motivation. Epilepsy patients being considered for surgical resection of their epileptic focus are implanted with electrocorticography (ECog) grids to characterize and localize seizure activity, allowing our lab to conduct neurological research paradigms (including a theory of mind battery and a competitive game task), while collecting multi-electrode recordings of neural activity.Additionally, I gained proficiency in coding in Python, a skill which I apply to both experimental design and data analysis. In our most recent project, a colleague and myself designed a dot-discrimination task, to be completed intraoperatively by Parkinson’s patients; after being primed with visual cues corresponding to the task’s varying levels of difficulty, patients are asked to discriminate directionality between several different coherences of dots on a computer screen. The study intends to expound the potential cognitive thresholding effects of STN by assessing how cued differential expectation to accurately discern an ensuing stimuli effects STN dynamics and behavior.I also generated a data processing pipeline for ECog data collected from our epilepsy patient population, and applied Python, MNE, Jupyter Notebooks, and a variety of other computational tools to clean the data, and to employ complex analyses including the calculation of event related potentials, average power analyses, and time-frequency spectral analyses.Duke Laboratory of NeuroGeneticsResearch Assistant 2014-2016
Under the mentorship of Dr. Ahmad Hariri, the research conducted through the Lab of Neurogenetics aims to use neuroimaging, molecular genetics, and behavioral data to understand the origins of variability in brain chemistry, as well as to explore the impacts of this variability on behaviorally and clinically relevant brain function.Through the lab, I have worked on a meta-analysis exploring whether cognitive performance is a predictor of depression onset. The methodology included a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature, with a focus on longitudinal or epidemiological studies in which cognitive function had been assessed prior to depression onset. The analysis ultimately culminated in the calculation of an odds ratio of developing depression (or correlation coefficient if measures are dimensional) across studies, thereby establishing a quantitative relationship of any effect. The resulting article is currently being reviewed for publication.My Graduation with Distinction project developed a genetic risk profile for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), comprising of 9 genes previously identified for MDD risk that produce protein products involved in stress and/or reward neurocircuitry. Statistical analyses using linear regression models and interaction models were conducted to explore the ability of an individual’s genetic risk score to predict incidence of depressive symptomology. Additionally, the risk profile was tested against functioning of relevant neurobiological circuitry assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, stress and reward-related functioning was tested. It was found that an individual’s genetic risk profile score predicts their level of depressive symptomology, as moderated by the experience of recent life stress. The results build off prior genetic findings to increase the predictive utility of depressive symptomatology, accounting for 1% of the variance in the total sample, and 4% of the variance in the male subsample, larger than the variance explained by any individual genetic variant.Psychology and Neurosciences
VIP Fellows ProgramResearcher 2015The VIP Fellows (Vertical Integration Program) is a summer research program that provides advanced opportunities for undergraduate research leading to Graduation with Distinction. My research was conducted through the Duke NeuroGenetics Lab, under the mentorship of Dr. Ahmad Hariri, and explored the relationship between genetic impacts on neurobiological variability, and the functional and behavioral implications of this variability on psychopathology.
Using data collected through the Duke Neurogenetics Study (DNS), I tested the hypothesis that an individual’s SCN2A genotype has mediating effects on cognition, through variability in gray matter volume. Statistic analyses were conducted using SPSS, grey matter levels were assessed using voxel-based morphometry, and ultimately no significant effect was found.
In a separate, additional project, I worked on a meta-analysis exploring whether cognitive performance is a predictor of depression onset. The methodology included a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature, with a focus on longitudinal or epidemiological studies in which cognitive function had been assessed prior to depression onset. The analysis ultimately culminated in the calculation of an odds ratio of developing depression (or correlation coefficient if measures are dimensional) across studies, thereby establishing a quantitative relationship of any effect. The resulting article is currently being reviewed for publication.Hoyle Psych & Neuroscience LabResearcher 2013 - 2014Through Duke University, I conducted interviews with 5th and 6th graders living in North Carolina, gathering data for a study that aimed to explore the effects and variability of factors motivating the activities and goals of early middle school students.Intern at 12x12 Music ManagementResearch Intern Summer 2014In addition to helping 12x12 manage social media profiles and event releases for several artists under the company's management, I also conducted research on music marketing strategies, metadata analysis, and music distribution techniques. Namely, I analyzed how emerging metadata services compare in the data they provide, as well as how specific sets of data are useful to the marketing tactics of specific artists. I furthermore researched how to maximize music marketing techniques within popular music distribution sources, such as Spotify, Youtube, and Soundcloud, and applied these techniques to artists managed by 12x12.National University of Singapore Center for BioImaging SciencesResearcher 2013Undertook a research project exploring the effects of the concentration and availability of the glycoprotein fibronectin on the adhesion and coalescence of epithelial cells. Grew experimental cell cultures, analyzed the cultures using live cell imaging via a Nikon Biostation, coded a program in MATLAB to quantify changes in cell adhesion/coalescence, and presented cumulative research findings to the Center for BioImaging Sciences.Weill Cornell Breast CenterResearch Assistant 2011 - 2013Over three summers I worked as a research assistant at the Weill Cornell Breast Center in New York City with Dr. Linda Vahdat to develop methods for quantifying qualitative changes in peripheral nerves of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment using the drug ixabepilone. In addition I assisted in the data collection and organization of several other breast cancer related clinical drug trials.- Leadership ExperienceDuke Project WAVESPre-Orientation Program Staff Leader 2013-Present
I serve as a mentor and leader to incoming freshmen during a 10 day-long orientation program focused in outdoor water activities (such as surfing, kayaking, beach camping, and sailing). During the program, staff members form trusting friendships with freshmen (while pushing them out of their comfort zones), offering them advice for their future college experiences, while prompting them to reflect positively on their attitudes and lives prior to their Duke experience. The goal of the program is to become comfortable and reveal enough of your own vulnerabilities that others have the confidence to share theirs.
Small Town RecordsExecutive Marketing Director 2013 - 2015As executive marketing director of Small Town Records I facilitate the marketing and promotion of multiple facets of Small Town Records. This includes creating and overseeing marketing strategies for the label as a whole, as well as the artists and events associated with Small Town. I manage and update all social media accounts associated with Small Town Records to maximize the presence of the label in relevant social media spheres. In addition, I advise artists and members of STR on strategies for developing and executing successful advertising campaigns for label events, album releases, artist performances, and the overall augmentation of Small Town Record's presence in the music industry.UQ MarketingIntern 2014I conducted marketing research centered around the student body of Duke, with which I created a marketing profile, highlighting the unique aspects of the Duke college consumer. As part of this research I represented Duke through a variety of social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I created multiple weekly posts about student groups, current happenings, and the overall Duke University dynamic, to help UQ gain a holistic understanding of life as a Duke student. I was responsible for weekly projects (such as advertisement critiques, production of advertisements, blog posts, and student surveys) as a brand ambassador through UQ, working with individual brands to determine marketing strategies that will most successfully connect with the student population.Last Day Of Classes [LDOC]Student Musician Coordinator, Marketing Committee MemberI was a member of the LDOC (Last Day of Classes) committee, which coordinates the execution of a yearly concert celebrating the end of classes. During the spring semester I facilitated marketing for the LDOC event, which included designing LDOC logos and merchandise, promoting the count down to the artist releases, and keeping the student body informed via several social media methods. Additionally I arranged the stage and line-up for student artists performing on the day of LDOC.Singapore American School Executive Community Service CouncilPresident 2010-2012As president, I facilitated the logistical and organizational groundwork of all 47 service clubs operating under the Singapore American School, in addition to organizing emergency fundraisers for international crises (raised $145,000 for Japanese tsunami aid in 2011). I worked with administrators to help improve the Singapore American School service learning model, and was invited to present this model at the 2012 International Service Learning Conference in Singapore.
http://www.saseye.com/2012/03/service-council-attempts-to-regulate-service-hour-giveaways/
- chunks of lifeI owe it to the experiences to show you pictures in addition to words
Let's Chat!
atheliarosapaulli@gmail.com LinkedInRaleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
