So the first week of this semester went by without problems and we are finally getting into the meat of our classes. The most interesting for me is ENGR 3300, Principles of Mechanical Engineering. Why am I taking a Mechanical class when I’m Electrical?

To do better on the FE exam of course! (That wondrous Fundamentals of Engineering Exam that’s coming up.) Previously, UDM found that their Electrical Engineering students were struggling on portions of the FE relating to ME concepts not included in the curriculum, so they added a psudo-Mechanical 101 for EEs.

In ENGR 3300 one of our projects is to apply the concepts we learn in class to build a device that serves some purpose. The professor suggested the challenge of a live mouse trap. Not just any trap will do, at bare minimum it has to:

-Catch a mouse reliably

-Keep the mouse alive until it can be collected

-Send an alert signal that it has a mouse

The idea is to distribute these traps around Detroit to measure toxin levels in the city. Mice absorbe whatever is in their environment. By measuring the level and type of toxins in their bodies the mice can give a picture of the overall environemtn of Detroit. Keeping the mice alive preserves the toxin levels in their bodies, where dead mice start decaying and the toxin goes with it.

Eva Berndt

Electrical Engineering

Junior, ’14

Hello all,

I hope everyone had a lovely year of school/work/lazing about. For me, I’m done with my co-op and back at UDM for summer classes. UDM recently switched from a rotating co-op schedule to all summer co-ops, but being an upperclassmen I’m stuck between the two calenders. Which means I get to be in school for three semesters. Sad times…

Fortunately, I am taking only 15 credits, so I have a little extra time for myself. My classes look interestign so far, mostly engeneering basics, one electrical class, and an elective later in summer semester II.

Nothing interesting to report yet, but there should be something soon!

Eva Berndt

Electrical Engineering

Junior, ’14

There is literally  a car ready to take me away. Should I be worried?

The people are screaming for me to come and join them – it’s time to go.

So with that, I will say farewell. I have had a great time blogging for you and for UDM, and I hope that you have had as swell of a time as I have.

Thank you and take care,

Lisa Cocco

Didactic master’s student, 5-Year PA

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

Today, I completed my last final exam as an undergrad. Success!

As cheery as that makes me, more exciting news is coming from the UDM Dental School: They are partnering up with the Detroit Department of Human Services to offer orthodontic care to foster kids.

Foster children see tragedy early and often. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, most of US’ 500,000 foster kids are victims of severe abuse or prolonged neglect. Coming from an unstable background myself, I can contest that that these situations are impressive, if not noxious, when trying to establish friendships, relationships, and self-confidence.

To offer a foster child the opportunity of a new, bright smile is to offer them care and confidence. It is a great way to reduce the anxiety that a child may have about their appearance, which may help them to enter social situations with greater ease and confidence.

Moments like these make me proud to be a UDM student. Orthodontic care is not a basic cleaning – this is two years of hardware and routine maintenance. Yet, UDM is still looking to serve yearly cohorts of 50-children. That’s something to smile about.

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, 5-Year Physician Assistant

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

As if walking out of my last undergrad course wasn’t a daunting reminder of the end, I am staring at my Biology Department Graduation Survey.

So this is really the end of my undergrad career. Sure, I have a few exams to take next week, but the halls, the students, and the professors that have shaped and guided me never look the same during finals week. I took a good look at them today.

But not for too long. As much as I have loved my undergrad courses, I am so excited for the things to come! PA school is just a few months away and I have much to do in the interrum.

But before we cross that road (and/or I allow myself to get too excited), I still need to hunker down, study, and rock my last 3 exams.

Wish me luck!

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, 5-Year Physician Assistant

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

Tomorrow is the big day! No, tomorrow is not my last final exam as an undergrad (expect that elated post next Tuesday). Tomorrow is the very last hoop that I will need to jump through as a 5-Year PA (undergrad): tomorrow is my interview with the UDM PA school.

Although I have already earned the privilege of a seat in their renowned PA school, I am required a formal interview with two faculty members. I may not have as much pressure riding on this interview as some others, but I certainly want to make a good impression. I want my future professors to have the utmost confidence in my skill, maturity, and mental readiness for their program.

For preparation, I’m readying myself for the kickers: What is a PA? Why should I study at UDM, or in Detroit? How do I reflect the UDM Mission? How might I respond to different ethical quandaries? What do I want to do as a PA?

Even if I never need to respond to these questions in an interview setting, forcing myself to answer these questions prompts incredible self analysis; they all ultimately lead to the questions Am I where I want to be? and Am I heading where I want to go?

I am happy to report that I am right where I belong at UDM. Now I need to relay that to the PA school.

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, 5-Year Physician Assistant

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

As the semester rounds its final bend, students and researchers (and student researchers) are dotting the Is and crossing the Ts on their respective projects. In my years as a biology student, I have come to learn that there are many different ways to academically present the tid-bits that you have learned.

1. The exam. Tried and true, this is the epitome of “testing” ones’ knowledge. One can often expect this in a classroom-based course. Bring a pencil.

2. The practical. A favorite version in Chemistry labs is the performance-based demonstration of technique, execution, and result. The Biology department’s version involves shuffling the students to different stations, where they are presented with a question regarding a physical object at that station. It is a very effective technique for testing the location and function of structures.

3. The paper. Though very common in liberal arts courses, scientific researchers are also required to demonstrate their findings through publication. Look no further than the daunting rhyme “publish or perish” for proof of that. For a student, findings can be collected as reports or papers with different page limits and requirements, depending on the course and professor.

4. The poster. The other way that scientists organize and share their findings is by presentation. Poster sessions are a popular way to collect many scientists into one space. Unlike the paper, the poster is very visual and attracts an audience with pretty pictures. (It is very dangerous to assume to that a human’s academic interest is greater than their attention span. This is not a bad thing, but a human thing.) So we summarize the entirety of our work (weeks, months, years) in a 2-foot-by-3-foot poster with a 2 minute explanation. Be ready to answer questions.

Throughout my academic career, I have sampled the first three methods ad nauseum. Dozens of papers, practicals, and exams are under my belt. But this coming Monday (April 15) will be my first poster presentation. And I am actually excited!

The poster presentation is for Dr. Kagey’s Genetic’s Lab. We spent the semester determining the location, the look, and the evolutionary conservation of a gene in flies that looks and acts very much like a human gene that is linked to human cancer. I am a bit nervous to present such fascinating research (which was part of Dr. Kagey’s doctoral work), but I know that this is a huge step toward truly understanding the processes and expectations of a scientist.

If you feel like cheering on a newbie, stop by the Engineering High Bay on Monday, April 15 between 2:30pm and 4:30pm. There will be food as well!

If you’re still intrigued with UDM posters and research, stop by the UDM research symposium on Tuesday, April 16 at noon in the Student Ballroom. Faculty and student researchers will present the work that they have done over the year(s). See what different they’re making in the world!

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, Biology

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

Don’t be too disheartened by Michigan’s stormy demeanor. She means well.

After a long and overcast winter, the first days of April (always) roll around with a few days of sunshine and a slight chill. The chill is ever so slight, but you can’t call it Spring just yet. Then the temperature starts to rise at last! As as you unzip your jacket to absorb the warmth of the Michigan sun, thunder startles you back inside.

April showers.

Though this certainly doesn’t help our looming cabin fever, seasonal rains are imperative for plant revitalization after dormancy. The cold temperatures in winter cause the chemical reactions of plants (and some animals) to slow to a halt. Steadily increasing temperatures return the organism a metabolically active status, but the organism also needs copious amounts of water and nutrients to kick-start the process.

Hence, Michigan gives her flora many weeks of rain and energy so that, in due time, the flowers will bloom for another successful reproductive cycle.

So how do we coexist? How do we appreciate the cycle of our ecosystem without sacrificing sanity?

My suggestion is to enjoy the warm temperature despite the rain. Open the windows (if practical) and remember how humidity feels. Go play in the rain! If it’s light rain, take a walk. If it’s heavy rain, pick a puddle and learn how to tap-dance.

I’m sure the flowers wouldn’t mind.

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, 5-Year Physician Assistant

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

I know that the title doesn’t say TEDxUDM, but it’s hard to pass up a TEDx event.

Yesterday, my friend and I played hookie from school and work to join an all-day conference and discussion series on the passions and ideas of those around us. You may remember my enthusiastic blog about TEDxDetroit in September 2011. You may remember the energy and ideas that kept me on my feet and my mind wandering. I am pleased to announce the folks in Ann Arbor hosted discussions that reignited all that I love about TED. (Disclosure: TEDxDetroit will always be my favorite TED event!)

I know that each TEDx event likes to run under a theme (ours was ‘untapped’), but I think that TED doesn’t require a theme about it’s current purpose: to create a place for people to share positive energy and ideas; to recharge; to become inspired; to become curious; to become engaged; to embrace the passions that you have and appreciate the ones that your peers possess.

It’s hard to choose which talk resonated the most with me, but here are a few stand-out moments that really caught my attention:

~ Our first speaker addressed us with a bizarre activity: jump up and down ten times and introduce yourself to your neighbor. But you must not use your name, as that is inconsequential when instigating a conversation. You must introduce your passion to the other person. It was amazingly effective!

~ Mary Heinen, whom was recently released from jail, spoke to us about the frequency of incarceration. As a patient sitter, I was no stranger to the physical, mental, and cultural impacts of that discussion. I choked back tears as she spoke.

~ Dr. Maria Castro and Dr. Pedro Lowenstein, a power-couple of professors at U of M, have progressed 11 years worth of malignant brain tumor therapy researched to the first stages of clinical trials. The effectiveness of their therapeutic methods seems astronomically promising  I am thrilled to have seen this research and I will be tracking the stages of the trial on clinicaltrials.gov (which should begin before summer 2013).

20 speaker. 20 passions shared on stage. Over 1,000 passions in the audience; ready for exchange and interaction. What a wonderful opportunity! What a wonderful day!

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, 5-Year Physician Assistant

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015

Happy belated Birthday to UDM’s own Father Gerard Albright! Though he is certainly no fool, he turned 87 years young on April 1, 2013. And know what is just fantastic? He is a biologist that can work a computer with more proficiency than some students my age! Happy Birthday, Father!

Know what also makes me think of cake? Greek Week. (Don’t think too hard about that segue.) Last week was Geek Week, this week is Greek Week. Got that? And though I would love a week dedicated to Saganaki and feta cheese, the week will instead be spent tossing propane tanks, playing trivia pong, maneuvering obstacle courses, and tugging-and-warring.

Not a bad week at all.

All 2013 Greek Week events can be found on the UDM Event Calendar website.

Take care,

Lisa Cocco

Junior, 5-Year Physician Assistant

BS, MS, PA-C; 2015