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Jason Brenner ’07 (Wayne, Pa.) is getting valuable hands-on experience for a future career in medicine through independent study research this year.
The biology major is researching the effects of stimulation on the third cranial nerve, or occulomotor nerve, in turtles with James Dearworth, assistant professor of biology. The goal is to record pupil constriction and eye adduction in turtles as a result of stimulation. Brenner hopes to learn how different strengths, frequencies, and durations of stimulation code in a specific computer system for differing pupil and eye movement responses.
“I decided to do the research with Dr. Dearworth because I liked his focus on eyes. I worked all summer with an ophthalmologist, Dr. Neil Chesen [‘79] and I really developed an interest in eyes and vision through that experience,” says Brenner.
Brenner recently completed an Anatomy of Vision course with Dearworth, who believes Brenner possesses both the attitude and skills to be successful.
“What makes Jason stand out is his ability to be a self-motivator. This is a critical attribute to have if a student is to successfully perform a research project,” he explains.
In previous semesters, Brenner took Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Neuroanatomy with Dearworth, which also prepared him for his independent study project.
“Lafayette is a positive environment for this type of project because of its small student body,” Brenner says. “Due to this, professors are more available to do research.”
Dearworth also believes that Lafayette is a good environment for this kind of work.
“Lafayette draws students who have both the ability and the ambition to perform these types of projects,” he says. “The College also provides the time for faculty to develop these projects for students. I had to develop and teach Jason the techniques he is using for his research, and although I am able to do some of these things during the school year, my in-class teaching time can sometimes impede this progress. Fortunately, opportunities come during the interim and summer periods when I focus on this with Lafayette’s full support.”
Dearworth previously conducted similar research with neuroscience major Lori Cooper ’07 (Brackney, Pa.) to explore why turtles’ pupils take longer to dilate when exposed to light than those of humans.
Brenner is currently applying to medical schools, with ophthalmology and cardiology high on his list of interesting fields.
Brenner is president of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and varsity captain of Crew Club. He also is a member of Student Movement Against Cancer, and a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Berwyn Fire Company.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.