Student Spotlight: Nicolas Munarriz , M1
Nicolas Munarriz is a first-year medical student who this past summer participated in the Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP) under the mentorship of Dr. Chad Farris. Nicolas’ research project titled “In vivo and ex vivo MRI-guided studies for multi-omic analyses of the white matter abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease”. To learn more about Nicolas’ research experience during the summer research program we asked Nicolas a few questions.
What is your research project about?
The objective of this project is to allow for direct comparison of in and ex vivo brain MRIs from the same patient, with a focus on investigating changes in white matter hyperintensities associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Due to postmortem structural changes, brain structures observed ex vivo may become deformed or displaced relative to their in vivo locations, preventing direct comparison of the two images. We developed a registration protocol that accounts for these postmortem deformations by utilizing the in vivo image as a spatial reference while preserving the quality of the underlying imaging data.
What have you done as part of your research project?
After developing a strong understanding of the tools required for co-registration, I began evaluating methods used by other laboratories facing similar challenges at each stage of the process. Examining these approaches allowed me to develop a unified protocol designed to produce the highest quality data possible without risking the quality of the imaging data. I then applied the protocol to every viable brain scan available to us, though differences in scan quality and acquisition methods, the protocol could not always be applied uniformly, requiring the development of additional steps for certain scans.
What have you learned or accomplished through your research experience?
Outside of protocol development, I also worked to improve the quality of the ex vivo scanning process itself, with the goal of producing scans that were better suited for co-registration. Following data collection, I focused on identifying the most effective methods for quantitatively evaluating the quality of our co-registrations in preparation for subsequent multi-omic analysis of the white matter hyperintensities.
How has this research experience influenced your understanding of medicine, research, or your potential career path?
My greatest takeaway from this project has been improving my approach when tackling challenges far outside my area of expertise. Prior to the summer, I had very little experience reading brain MRIs or using imaging-processing and command-line tools, and the task of learning to operate these tools within a limited timeframe felt nearly impossible, further complicated by the fact that some of the necessary software and methods were unfamiliar even within our research group. After my initial efforts to understand these systems were unsuccessful, I was able to step back and more clearly define the problems I had to overcome, allowing me to identify a starting point and break the larger challenge into smaller, more manageable steps. I focused my efforts on what seemed reasonable to learn on my own, saving tasks that required more expertise for when my research group was available to assist, allowing me to focus on the areas with the greatest potential for improvement first.
What have you learned or accomplished through your MSSRP research experience?
Through this project, I have gained a much better understanding of what medical research looks like at a higher level, and it has solidified my interest in continuing to support research efforts throughout my career. Compared with my prior research experiences, this project was far more open-ended in determining the specific approach needed to reach the desired result. It also felt more collaborative: although much of my work was done independently, there was significant collaboration between members of the research group, both in solving shared problems and in providing insights that helped address more individualized challenges. The problem-solving, intellectual contribution, and collaboration required to complete this project have given me a deeper understanding of what it means to conduct research in this field. While I ultimately hope to pursue a career in medicine, this experience has shown me how valuable research can be as a complement to clinical practice, and I hope to continue contributing to research throughout my medical career.
What advice would you give to other medical students who are considering getting involved in research?
Once you feel you have found your footing as a medical student and moved past the initial chaos of adjustment, start looking for research opportunities early, but avoid rushing the process. There are a wide variety of resources available to help you find a mentor, including specialty interest groups, the BU Profiles Search tool, and various advisors who can help you refine your search around your interests. Setting aside even 10–20 minutes each day to explore potential opportunities can help ensure that you not only find a position but also identify a project you are genuinely passionate about and that aligns with your career goals.
Lastly, once you have identified a potential mentor, just send that email! It can be daunting to reach out and ask about research opportunities, but it becomes easier every time you do it. In my experience, mentors here are very passionate about educating students and sharing their work with them, so they are very likely to be more than happy to hear from you.