IRP Life

Finding a Cure for Childhood Alzheimer’s – Johnathan’s Story

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Reblogged from The Children's Inn: Family Stories.

Searching for answers, Johnathan’s mother, Rebecca, and father, Keith, applied for their son to be considered as a participant in a clinical trial at the NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Launchpad for Discovery: NIH’s Postbac IRTA Experience

Monday, February 1, 2016

With plans to travel to Swaziland and volunteer with the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) and a desire to address issues related to health disparities in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, I began navigating the unfamiliar terrain of life after college.

A Golden Injection for Christmas

Monday, January 11, 2016

Reblogged from The Children's Inn at NIH.

This past holiday season, 14-year old Gillian Copejans was the second person in the world to get an incredible gift: leading-edge gene-therapy treatment at the NIH Clinical Center.

Careers in Science Series: Second Visits and Negotiating Offers

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

If you receive a job offer (or offers) congratulations! I was on cloud nine when I got the offer that I eventually accepted. After you receive an offer, there are several things that may happen. First, the school will likely invite you back for a second visit.

Microbiome: The Next Frontier in Human Health

Thursday, December 24, 2015

At the beginning of every episode of the sci-fi series Star Trek, William Shatner repeated the words, “Space: the final frontier.” However, in all of Star Trek’s 79 episodes, Captain James T. Kirk and crew never encountered anything like the number and diversity of species that exists within the human microbiome.

Teen Travels from Jamaica to the NIH for Aplastic Anemia Treatment

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Reblogged from The Children's Inn: Family Stories.

Sixteen-year-old Howayne and his Aunt Michelle

Sixteen-year old Howayne McGregor, from Jamaica, suddenly collapsed on his routine walk to school and was rushed to the nearest hospital. After sending his lab results to Dr. Neal Young at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Howayne received the diagnosis of aplastic anemia, a rare but serious blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells.

Breast Cancer Awareness: How the IRP Recognizes October

Saturday, October 31, 2015

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, four weeks out of the year dedicated to bringing visibility and awareness to research in support of one of the most widespread and devastating cancers in existence.

Careers in Science Series: The Post-Interview Waiting Game

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

After your interviews are complete, there will be another waiting period. Right after you get home from each interview, you should send follow-up thank you emails.

Mentoring at NIH: Self-Assessment

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

A self-assessment is the first step in mapping out effective short-term goals and a clear career plan. At first, self-assessment may feel quite stressful.

Cycle of Self-Assessment and Career Development

Basketball, An Unwavering Will to Fight, and the Joy Of Life – Mia’s Story

Monday, October 19, 2015

Reblogged from The Children's Inn: Family Stories.

At the age of one, Mia started to experience 105-degree fevers for weeks with no explanation. One of her specialists knew there had to be something “bigger” going on and referred Mia to the NIH's Undiagnosed Diseases Program (UDP). The UDP reviewed Mia’s medical records and recommended she see Dr. Dan Kastner.

Mia getting her “hero” Dr. Kastner’s autograph