David Ansari , CLA
The Effects of Antiparkinsonian Medication on Perceptions of Surgical Risks and Benefits in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Major
Psychology
Mentors
Monica Luciana, Psychology
Paul Tuite, Neurology
Brief Bio
My academic interests include increasing accessibility to healthcare and social services through a necessary synergism of community activism and research. This broad spectrum has allowed me to work on clean-water access and parasite prevention projects in Peru and projects concerning the care of people living with HIV/AIDS in Senegal.
Future Plans
During the summer of 2007, I will work as a TA in the Department of Chemistry, attend conference presentations here and abroad, continue work on a tumor immunology study in the Department of Urologic Surgery, garden, ride bike, and study for the MCAT (if time allows). The upcoming year will be spent investigating the role of Islamic community groups in the de-stigmatization of HIV/AIDS in Senegal with the Fulbright Scholars program.
Why Research?
Before getting involved in projects at the university, I had expectations of getting involved, learning how to do research, and finding a direction for my studies. My interest in research in the Psychology Department was piqued after an interesting seminar during the summer after my freshman year. The seminar was taught by a graduate student who put me in contact with Professor Luciana. I eventually became involved in a project in the Neurology Department with Professors Luciana and Tuite, both of whom advised me while writing my honors thesis. Since this is a massive university, I knew that there was potential to get lost among thousands of students or get to know professors and graduate students while working on research projects. I took the latter route and the university seems much more intimate as a result.
What Did I Get from Research?
The project in the Neurology Department became the base for directed research, an honors practicum, and eventually, my honors thesis. Although I received credit for this research, I worked on a project in Senegal with the assistance of UROP, had a research internship at the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) with help from the CLA Internship grant, and I also volunteer on other projects. Regardless of the type of opportunity that allows a student to participate in research, what is most important is to become an active participant. Even if the project is not a success or is inconsistent with one’s interests, skills are certainly gained and interests are refined.
Research Summary
The project in Neurology involves a marriage between social and hard sciences that cannot be overlooked in the realm of patient care. We investigated how patients’ medication for Parkinson’s disease affected how they perceive the risks and benefits for a type of brain surgery used to treat their illness. Other studies have found that type of medication to lead to deficits in decision making, which is relevant when deciding among treatment options. As we become more in tune with the cognitive and behavioral effects of medication, researchers and care providers may improve treatment and a healthy outcome becomes more accessible for patients.