# Functions of gustatory afferent neuron types

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2023 · $82,123

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This is an application for a Research Supplement to support the participation of Ms. Kathleen Depina, B.A., a
very bright and enthusiastic scientist who also happens to be Black. Ms. Depina is a graduate of Boston
University. She majored in Neuroscience and has deep interest in understanding neurological disorders from a
genetic and physiological perspective. As a woman of color who grew up caring for her nephew with an
undiagnosed neurological disorder, she is committed to studying medicine as her part in facilitating inclusion of
the most vulnerable people. Her inquisitive, highly intelligent and disciplined nature will make her an excellent
research scientist. Her goal is to obtain admission to an MD/PhD program. My laboratory will help her fulfill her
potential by providing research experience, publications and ancillary skills to elevate her chances of being
admitted to one of these highly competitive programs. My laboratory’s team and affiliated scientists across
campus will help her learn as much as possible about the practice of neuroscience and genetics, and to
conduct research, publish, practice scientific writing and speaking. Although she took many neuroscience and
biochemistry undergraduate courses, her financial and family responsibilities limited her ability to carry out
research as an undergraduate. The goals of this Supplement will be:
 • first, to afford Ms. Depina hands-on experience in several neuroscience and molecular genetics
 approaches and techniques.
 • second, to train her in the principles of experimental design, rigor in interpretation of one’s own and
 published findings, and critical analysis. These principles will be taught within the framework of mid-size
 projects that relate to ongoing research directions in the lab. This will give her multiple opportunities for
 authorship in both leading and contributing roles.
 • third, to broaden learning of neuroscience and genetics, Ms. Depina will be guided to an appropriate
 subset of research seminars on campus, 2-3 structured courses on campus, relevant online webinars,
 as well as 1-2 in-person workshops or conferences.
 • fourth, further improve her skills in scientific writing and in scientific oral presentations through on-
 campus poster sessions, and presentations at major conferences such as AChemS.
Ms. Depina is an ideal candidate for this Supplement. She is African-American, a group under-represented in
the US biomedical workforce. She is highly intelligent and teachable and has the formal education to be
mentored to the next level. We anticipate that through this plan of action, we will see her successful entry into a
competitive MD/PhD program in Fall 2025.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10878417
- **Project number:** 3R01DC018733-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Nirupa Chaudhari
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $82,123
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10878417

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10878417, Functions of gustatory afferent neuron types (3R01DC018733-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10878417. Licensed CC0.

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