Past Research Experiences

Blake's first foray into research began the spring before her freshman year in medical school. She was introduced to Dr. William M. Lee, a UT Southwestern hepatologist and clinical researcher, who very graciously invited her to work with him and study acute liver failure. She became interested in the question of how acetaminophen dose influences outcome in acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure. This project has yielded an oral presentation, two poster presentations, a manuscript, and became the thesis for her MD with Distinction in Research degree. The summer after her first year of medical school, she worked on a second project with Dr. Lee to study the mechanism of hypophosphatemia commonly observed in patients with acute liver failure. This project, still ongoing, has resulted in an oral presentation and two poster presentations. She continues to work with Dr. Lee to this day, who has been an extraordinary source of guidance and support.

Current Areas of Interest/Research

Blake remains interested in the study of acute liver failure. She and Dr. Lee are currently collaborating with the UT Southwestern department of nephrology to investigate hypophosphatemia in acute liver failure patients. They are now looking at the possible role of phosphatonin hormones in mediating this phenomenon.

Oral Presentations

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum, Dallas, TX, 2007. "Reliability of Acetaminophen (ACM) Dosing Information in ACM-Induced Acute Liver Failure"

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum, Dallas, TX, 2008. "Abnormal Urinary Excretion of Phosphate is Responsible for Hypophosphatemia in Acute Liver Failure"

Poster Presentations

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum, Dallas, TX, 2008. "Abnormal Urinary Excretion of Phosphate is Responsible for Hypophosphatemia in Acute Liver Failure"

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum, Dallas, TX, 2008. "Reliability of Acetaminophen Dosing Information in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure"

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, San Diego, California, 2008. "Abnormal Urinary Excretion of Phosphate is Responsible for Hypophosphatemia in Acute Liver Failure"

Publications

Gregory BE, Larson AM, Reisch J, Lee WM. Acetaminophen Dose Does Not Predict Outcome in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure. Journal of Investigative Medicine (submitted).

MD with Distinction Track

MD with Distinction in Research, University of Texas Southwestern, requirements completed in September 2009. Thesis title: "Acetaminophen Dose Does Not Predict Outcome in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure"

Current Professional Trajectory

Blake will graduate from UT Southwestern Medical Center in June 2010. She will enter the field of internal medicine and anticipates training in a subspecialty after residency. She enjoys clinical research and will likely pursue a Master's in Clinical Science after she has completed her training. At this time, she envisions a career in academic medicine with particular focus on clinical research.

Personal Words of Wisdom

Start early. Research projects always take longer than you imagine and often stretch over several years from start to finish. Starting early in your medical career translates to a much higher likelihood of having publications and presentations under your belt when you apply for residency and fellowship, where these are valued if not expected. Starting early also allows for some flexibility and breadth of experience. This extra time will make it possible for you to work on multiple projects in the same lab or in multiple labs if your interest changes. It will also give you the opportunity to network and get to know many investigators, which is important if you desire an academic career.
Maintain continuity. Dr. McPhaul told me this the summer before I started med school and I never forgot it. There are many advantages to sticking with the same mentor over the years as opposed to bouncing from lab to lab. Staying with one mentor allows you to develop a close and fruitful relationship with one person, who will become your advisor and advocate. This mentor will be more likely trust you with important projects, send you to national meetings, and introduce you to other investigators who share your interests. He or she will also write you a meaningful letter of recommendation that speaks to your work ethic and talents in the area of research. So when you select a mentor, do so carefully and consider whether this is someone with whom you would like to work in the long term.
Be persistent. In general, students allot a certain amount of time to research: a summer, a month-long elective, a two-week break. It can be difficult to complete all your work within a given time frame, however. When research projects spill over into the school year, do your best to keep working on them. This may be hard to juggle with the demands of your studies, but keep in mind that research that does not result in a product is time wasted. Don't waste your summer doing research if no abstracts or publications come of it. And if work from the summer spills into fall or winter, it's worth it to wrap up your project even though you're stressed about school. You will be grateful in the long run that you have something to show for all the work you have done.