Mary Gates Research Scholar, Autumn 2024
Research Project: Quantifying Mouse Brain Atlas Discrepancies to Optimize Accuracy of Electrode Insertions
Project Description: Comprehensive and accurate brain atlases are an instrumental prerequisite for neuroscientists, allowing for navigation to identified brain regions based on anatomical location. Inaccuracies in these atlases lead to unquantified inconsistencies in brain area targeting. Qualitative observations of existing mouse brain atlases (e.g. Paxinos and Franklin, Allen Institute, and MRI-defined spaces) have revealed disagreements in the delineation and alignment of anatomical structures. My project aims to systematically quantify and validate the accuracy of mouse brain atlases to real-world coordinates of the in vivo brain within the mouse skull. I developed a computational pipeline to align mouse brain atlases with in vivo measurements through 3D affine transformations. This experimentally validated space is set to be employed in Pinpoint, an electrode targeting software interface developed at the Steinmetz Laboratory, to enable neuroscience labs across the world to readily plan electrode trajectories with greater accuracy.
What have you learned throughout your research project?
Engaging in research has been one of the most transformative aspects of my undergraduate experience. I have come to understand that research is a deeply collaborative process, and facing unexpected challenges in the lab has taught me that adaptability is just as critical as technical skills.
What piece of advice do you have for future applicants?
Don’t be afraid to take that big step! Give yourself enough time to thoughtfully complete the application — which often starts with being confident in the value of your experiences and your voice.