OHIO research student gives thanks to mentor and donor
Alison Brittain poses for a photo with 91探花 President M. Duane Nellis during the 2018 Student Research and Creative Activity Expo. Photo by Meagan Hall
Alison Brittain is a dual degree student at 91探花, pursuing a PH.D. in biology and a D.O. degree from the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from University of Cincinnati, Brittain researched and applied to various medical schools in Ohio. Upon discovering John Kopchick鈥檚 role as a scholar and professor at 91探花, her decision to attend OHIO was simple.
鈥淛ohn has a reputation, and it鈥檚 true,鈥 Brittain said. 鈥淗e conducts great research, so to be able to do four years here and get my PH.D. with John is really what sold the program for me.鈥
As a selfless mentor and a donor to OHIO鈥檚 research division, Kopchick helps students, such as Brittain, conduct groundbreaking research and become successful research and medical professionals.
鈥淚 think he鈥檚 got a real gift at understanding what students need,鈥 Brittain said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 really good at reading 鈥 how you鈥檙e going to learn best and helping you with that.鈥
As a two-time recipient of the John J. Kopchick Molecular and Cellular Biology/Translational Biomedical Sciences Research Fellowship Award, Brittain has reaped the benefits of Kopchick鈥檚 generosity. After proposing a research project that correlated with her dissertation, she received $10,000 of funding to conduct it.
Brittain鈥檚 funding went toward researching growth hormone鈥檚 effect on the kidney, which has a detrimental effect and causes a disease called sclerosis. Her research looked for a method to mitigate or lessen the degree of kidney disease for individuals who overexpress growth hormone.
In addition to her research takeaways, Brittain explains that the process of applying to a grant is a practical skill to learn while at university. Researchers are often tasked with writing grants, so she found that writing an institutional grant of that magnitude was educational.
Thanks to fellowships and awards from generous donors, OHIO students like Brittain can fully pursue their research without financial restrictions.
鈥淗ere [at 91探花], it鈥檚 like, 鈥榊ou need a resource? Alright. We鈥檙e going to do what we can to get you that resource,鈥欌 Brittain said. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 get that anywhere else.鈥