Samantha B
- Research Program Mentor

MD/PhD candidate at Tufts University

Expertise

Traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, computational neuroscience, virology & viral entry, violin performance

Bio

My research centers around traumatic brain injury and how we can better understand what happens to the brain and its connections following injury. I work with a mouse model and perform in vivo imaging of the cortex. I am also interested in Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, a multitude of symptoms that arise following prolonged stay in the Intensive Care Unit. Outside of lab and the hospital, I love to run--I just completed my third marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon. I am excited to learn more about trail running, and spend lots of time in the mountains. I also enjoy skiing, playing the violin, and bothering my small cat, Lewis.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Can music help your brain heal? The effect of music on cognitive deficits following traumatic brain injury

Can music act as an effective therapy following traumatic brain injury (TBI)? This project will delve into the cognitive, behavioral, and functional effect of music therapy following TBI. What happens to brain activity as examined through fMRI with implementation of music therapy? Are there changes in neurotransmitter release? Is there a measurable behavioral and cognitive effect?