103 ACADEMICS RIVETING RESEARCH Senior Breanna Bishop performs lab research with brain cells. This was an independent study. Photo by: Lauren Simmons Harding University’s Department of Biology paired Dr. David Donley, assistant professor of biology, with various biology students to perform extensive research on specific brain cells with the goal to understand neurological diseases. Donley facilitated seven different projects with students all based around microglial cells, which functioned as the immune system for the brain. The research revolved around Alzheimer’s disease and how the microglial cells contributed to the disease. Donley said he received three different grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence program, which provided financial support for the research. The students worked to present their research at conferences and publish their findings. “A core component of my lab is not scientific progress,” Donley said. “Of course, I want science to progress out of that, but more importantly I think that the goal is that students gain experience and really embed in the culture of science and learn what it means to be a scientist.” Senior Breanna Bishop worked under Donley to research microRNA controlling gene expression and cell behavior and how that affected Alzheimer’s disease. She said her project revealed a love of research and helped her become an independent learner through the process. “Some of the skills I’ve grown are perseverance and patience because normally I’ve quit things I’m not good at,” Bishop said. “You’ve got to have perseverance when you mess up to come back again, or when something’s not working out or you don’t understand something.” Sophomore Tayler Appleton’s primary work was on the degradation of microglial cells that led to Alzheimer’s. She said her favorite part of the research was how it allowed students to learn beyond lectures and textbooks. “This experience has taught me the importance of admitting when I need further explanation and how to utilize my learning style to my advantage,” Appleton said. “Harding has prepared me for both the scientific and presenter side of research.” Junior Thomas Williams said his research was challenging, but taught him new ways to learn and an appreciation for previous discoveries. Williams said this research experience gave him insight into choosing his professional career after he arrived with uncertainty. “The goal is that they learn a broader skill set,” Donley said. “They’re learning to do things like design experiments, interpret data, analyze data, and writing and communication skills.” Donley said he received a new research grant starting in January 2023 through which he hoped to make progress in understanding basic mechanisms that are involved in neurological diseases. “Grad school is going to be challenging and full of trials and errors, and I think I’m more prepared to overcome those because I’ve done a lot of that here,” Bishop said. “I won’t forget about how much [Donley] helped me and pushed me…When I think about my undergraduate experience, I will be thinking about my research with Dr. Donley, always.” Written by: Lauren Simmons Brain Matters The Department of Biology conducts research on brain cells.
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