Sports
Features
Dr. David Donley , principal investigator and lab director
Current Students
The goal of the lab is to empower students to develop as independent scientists. All projects are designed for students to take ownership, experiencing both the highs and lows of the discovery process. In this way, projects contribute to scientific progress by providing data and training the next generation of scientists.
To accomplish this goal, we study how the immune system of the brain responds to disease. Microglial cells are the primary immune cells of the brain. Scientists know that microglial dysfunction is often a feature of neurological disease, but we still don't fully understand why this happens or how microglia are contributing to the disease process. As a result, students in the lab perform experiments on how microglia respond when presented with disease signals. Our goal is to understand the basic processes that occur in microglial cells to better understand conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Hopefully, our findings will help uncover ways to treat neurological diseases.
Students start research in the lab as early as the second semester of their freshman years, and many continue until graduation. In the last four years, students have represented a variety of majors and departments including biology, chemistry, cognitive neuroscience, medical humanities and math. A diversity of ages, majors, backgrounds, and life experience enriches the lab culture and encourages students to think broadly about the answer to this question: "Who is a scientist?"
Equipment/Techniques
Philosophy
The goal of research at the undergraduate level is to empower students to be curious and creative and to engage in the process of science from conception to completion. To accomplish this, each student is given the opportunity to take ownership of a specific project where he or she is responsible for contributing to the design of experiments, processing samples and collecting data, analyzing data, and communicating the results. Students have the opportunity to collect sufficient data to present at a scientific conference within their first year of starting in research. Some projects are continuations of prior students' work, but students are also encouraged to bring their own ideas. About half of the conference presentations students have given have been projects they developed.
The "real world" impact of this work is on the horizon, and we are moving that direction as fast as we can. However, the students are the real legacy of the lab. Even if we never have a highly cited publication or some other "real world" impact, the opportunity to mentor students is part of my mission as a Harding faculty member. While we have several publications in the pipeline, the long-term impact of these research projects is defined by students and the lasting impact that these experiences will have on their careers and their lives.
Lab Alumni
Research Projects
Awards
Thomas Kuhn opens his book "Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by stating that if students only learn science from a textbook, that is tantamount to learning about a national culture from a tourist brochure. Research experience immerses students in the culture of science so they can contribute to its vibrancy. Students do not have to wonder what it is like to be a scientist because they are unquestionably scientists. These experiences shape how students view their coursework and how they approach their future careers. The research lab is a place where the mission of Harding is lived out. Students meaningfully engage with each other and with faculty.
In addition, the grant funding that supports this lab contributes to the entire Harding community. The Biology Department now houses a state-of-the-art metabolic analyzer, high quality phase contrast microscope and other scientific equipment that would not have been available within the scope of the normal departmental operating budget. Grant funding is difficult and highly competitive, but there is a great return on investment.
Funding
Special thanks to the Harding University College of Sciences and Department of Biology for supporting student research.
