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Neuroscience major Jesse Hatgis ’08 (Jericho, N.Y.) and Lisa Gabel, visiting assistant professor of psychology, are collaborating on a research project focusing on Fragile X syndrome. They are attempting to identify the role the protein FMRP plays in learning and memory and why the loss of this one protein results in such severe behavioral and mental impairments.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation, occurring in one out of every 4,000 males and one in every 6,000 females. One in every 259 females is a carrier for Fragile X and could pass it on to their children. Patients with Fragile X may suffer from mental impairments ranging from learning disabilities to severe mental retardation, attention deficit, hyperactivity, hyperarousal, autistic-like behaviors and seizures. This disorder is caused by the loss of FMRP due to a genetic mutation.
“Preliminary evidence suggests that FMRP expression is tightly regulated by visual experience,” says Hatgis. He explains that animals that are raised in the dark and then exposed to light for 15 minutes exhibit a dramatic increase in FMRP expression in the visual cortex.
“We are interested in determining the mechanisms that underlie the experience-dependent regulation of FMRP expression,” he explains.
“Jesse has proven himself to be an exceptional, hard-working, and motivated student; he has made an excellent addition to my laboratory,” says Gabel.
Hatgis and Gabel are working together as part of Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
“Lafayette’s EXCEL program, and research in general, is why I chose to come to Lafayette,” says Hatgis. “The college generously funds the program and provides researchers with fantastic facilities. Students benefit from gaining research experience on interesting topics and are fortunate enough to work with amazing faculty. The faculty also reaps benefits, as they receive a helping hand from students who are actively interested and engage in the research.”
“A successful research program can be a great teaching tool, providing students with an outlet to develop and refine their reasoning and technical skills,” says Gabel. “Additionally, it enables them to take a more active role in their own education. The EXCEL Scholars program enables students to work collaboratively with faculty on research projects; this has proven to be an effective way to help students reach their full academic potential and enthusiasm for scientific discovery.”
Gabel believes that Hatgis’s involvement with the Fragile X syndrome research project will help him learn research techniques that will be invaluable to his academic and professional growth.
“Neuroscience is fascinating, and I do not think that there is a better place than Lafayette to study it,” says Hatgis. “The classes are small and actively engaging. Students come to class eager to learn, the professors love teaching and conducting research, and the facilities are top-notch.”
Hatgis plans to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a practicing physician.
“It is too early to tell exactly what type of doctor I want to become but I would like neuroscience to be a part of it. There are so many great fields of medicine that it is almost impossible to make a bad choice,” he says.
Hatgis is a member of the Ice Hockey team and takes courses in guitar performance.
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.