Aastha Kulkarni

- Provided support to post-operative ENT and neurosurgical patients in a high-acuity inpatient unit, assisting nursing staff in maintaining a safe and compassionate recovery environment. - Gained exposure to neurological assessments, post-surgical monitoring, and management of patients recovering from spinal procedures

- Provided support to post-operative ENT and neurosurgical patients in a high-acuity inpatient unit, assisting nursing staff in maintaining a safe and compassionate recovery environment. - Gained exposure to neurological assessments, post-surgical monitoring, and management of patients recovering from spinal procedures

- Provided support to patients and staff in the Med/Geriatrics Nursing Unit, contributing to a compassionate and efficient healthcare environment. - Gained hands-on experience in a clinical setting, assisting with patient care and learning about geriatric healthcare-related medical procedures. - Collaborated with the healthcare team to ensure patients had a positive experience during their stay.

As a research assistant in the Scherrer Lab, I study the functional organization of the opioid system in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Our work explores how opioids influence pain perception and reward pathways, with the goal of informing safer, more effective treatments for pain and addiction. - Apply electrophysiology, behavioral neuroscience, histology, and calcium imaging to investigate opioid receptor function in DRG neurons. - Assist in the design, execution, and quantitative analysis of experiments examining neural activity and opioid modulation. - Contribute to lab discussions and collaborations aimed at translating basic neuroscience into therapeutic insights.

- Coached recreational gymnastics classes to young girls with a passion for fitness and gymnastics - Designed a schedule of what drills to teach to help the kids progress and learn new skills on all four events: vault, bars, beam, floor - Conditioned competitive team to improve their strength and flexibility

- Provided academic support in math and reading to students with learning differences, developing tailored strategies to enhance comprehension and build confidence - Supported classroom routines by assisting students with transitions, including unpacking belongings and preparing for lessons, reinforcing structure and independence

- Spearheaded a workout program engaging and instructing young children in fitness, health, and the importance of balance through physical exercise, verbal instruction, and fun activities. - Worked with kids in nearby apartment complexes, neighborhoods, and refugee organization OurBridge for Kids; conducted workouts for 75 refugee children

- Assisted in evaluation and documentation of patient medical histories, vital signs, and pain assessments within an interventional pain management clinic - Prepared exam rooms and patients for specialized fluoroscopy-guided procedures (nerve blocks, trigger-point injections, radiofrequency ablation) by setting up injection trays, positioning patients, and ensuring comfort - Gained proficiency in electronic health record system and supported continuity of care - Observed multiple procedures including epidural steroid injections, spinal cord stimulator trials, and genicular nerve blocks

- Observed multiple surgical procedures from a range of specialties, including orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and gastroenterology, gaining broad exposure to operative techniques and clinical decision-making - Developed an understanding of perioperative care by following patient cases from pre-operative through post-operative consultation, deepening understanding of patient outcomes and surgical ethics - Gained insight into sterile field protocols and team dynamics in the operating room, while observing interprofessional collaboration between surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses

- Provide mentorship to high school students in neuroscience research, guiding them through experimental design, data analysis, and critical thinking in scientific inquiry. - Enhance leadership skills by coaching students in research methodology, fostering their academic growth, and promoting engagement in scientific exploration. - Expand neuroscience research expertise by collaborating on projects, contributing to data collection, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation.

I envisioned a program to brighten the lives of young patients at Levine Children's Hospital by compiling a holiday music video. During the pandemic, I recognized a strong need for community involvement to address isolation caused by social distancing. I appealed to young children in my community to play holiday music on their favorite instruments and compiled a video engaging 15 young musicians between the age of 4-16yrs. The video was broadcasted in the Pediatric wing of the LCH. Encouraged by it's success in 2020, we have continued the tradition to compose and broadcast holiday music videos at Levine Children's Hospital.

1. Connection between dopamine and marijuana - August 2023 - published in Volume 12 Issue 4 of the Journal of Student Research. Authored 4000-word research paper on connection between dopamine and marijuana. Extracted range of molar values in brain. Examined mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. My research established that excessive use of marijuana results in decreased level of dopamine in the brain. https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v12i4.5836 2. The effects of prenatal stress on the cognitive and behavioral development of a child - April 2023- published in Volume 12 Issue 3 of the Journal of Student Research. https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v12i3.4451 3. The effect of Levodopa on Parkinson's disease - April 2022- third-place winner of Corpus Callosum Research Program, Virtual Science Fair