Project Completion Report
Personal Information:
Name: Parker Feltner
Email: parkxfelt@gmail.com
Phone: 435-619-9659
Major: Biology
Credit Completed: Ninety + credit hours completed
Graduation: Anticipated to graduate in Fall of 2019
Finding a cure
Abstract: My siblings have a rare genetic skin disorder called Xeroderma Pigmentosum, or XP for short. They lack a skin DNA repairing enzyme making it so any UV light is deadly to them. Only 150 people have this disease in the United States. Throughout the years, I have become passionate about curing their disease and it has been a strong guide for me, helping me to decide that I want to be a research dermatologist. To achieve this this goal, I need to start making connections and learning more about my siblings’ disease. I am planning a trip to a medical conference specifically directed towards XP in Wichita, Kansas (The conference was moved here for the convenience of some of the XP families that were in attendance). I will work hand in hand with the top dermatologists in the world at this conference. A good amount of XP children will attend as well giving me the opportunity to interact with them. This is an opportunity of a lifetime that will help me get ahead and eventually cure XP.
Larger Purpose: At this conference, I will be educated by the top dermatologists in the world. I will be able to have in depth conversations with them about XP and they will expand my knowledge of the disease. These dermatologists will not only be able to educated me, but will give me opportunities that are hard to come by: internships at the NIH, get my name on a piece of scientific literature, and a chance to work at the XP research lab in London, England. So in short, the larger purpose of this project is to help me get where I need to be in order to cure XP.
Project Goal: I had many goals for this project, but if I had to pick one it would be that I made connections necessary to attain a prestigious internship that will set me apart from my medical school competitors.
I mingled with many Doctors whilst at the conference, but one stood out it particular: Dr. Laura Kniedenhoffer. I positioned myself to be able to have conversations with her about my goals and how she is the forefront of researching XP. I didn’t even have to ask for an internship when she heard what my plans are and she told me I had a place in her lab whenever I wanted. I have now set up a three month period over the summer where I will be joining in her research at the University of Minnesota’s Medical School. It is a paid internship that will allow me to gain valuable experiences in my path to medical school.
1-3 Outcome(s):
1: I worked with the top dermatologists in the nation to expand my knowledge as far as XP is concerned.
2: I collaborated with these dermatologists and establish relationships with them in order to get an internships at the University of Minnesota.
3: I interacted with children and adults who have this disease. This brought me more motivation to cure their disease as I saw what they have to go through. There are different types of XP and some that have neurological effects on the victims. This gave me an opportunity to see them and see the differences there are in the different types.
Deliverable(s): I brought back pictures of me at the conference and with the children who have XP. I also brought back a signed statement from the chairman of the board of the XP family support group. These documents will be placed at the bottom of this document.
Differentiation: I can say with confidence that no other person that is at SUU, or the state of Utah for that matter, will be at this conference. It is exclusive to family members only. Because my siblings have this disease, I am one of the few people that are allowed to attend. It’s not every day that a college student gets to work hand in hand with the best dermatologists in the entire world.
Estimated Costs: My estimated costs changed from $275.00 to $0. This was because of the generosity of the XP Family Support Group in covering all my costs.
Estimated Timeline:
Monday: Conferences 8-5
Tuesday: Conferences 8-5
Wednesday: Conferences 8-5
Thursday: Conferences 8-5
Friday: Conferences 8-5
Each night after the conferences are over, I will be interacting with the XP children and ask them to share with me their stories. This will add an additional 3-4 hours. With all the time combined the grand total is 48-49 hours.
Name: Parker Feltner
Email: parkxfelt@gmail.com
Phone: 435-619-9659
Major: Biology
Credit Completed: Ninety + credit hours completed
Graduation: Anticipated to graduate in Fall of 2019
Finding a cure
Abstract: My siblings have a rare genetic skin disorder called Xeroderma Pigmentosum, or XP for short. They lack a skin DNA repairing enzyme making it so any UV light is deadly to them. Only 150 people have this disease in the United States. Throughout the years, I have become passionate about curing their disease and it has been a strong guide for me, helping me to decide that I want to be a research dermatologist. To achieve this this goal, I need to start making connections and learning more about my siblings’ disease. I am planning a trip to a medical conference specifically directed towards XP in Wichita, Kansas (The conference was moved here for the convenience of some of the XP families that were in attendance). I will work hand in hand with the top dermatologists in the world at this conference. A good amount of XP children will attend as well giving me the opportunity to interact with them. This is an opportunity of a lifetime that will help me get ahead and eventually cure XP.
Larger Purpose: At this conference, I will be educated by the top dermatologists in the world. I will be able to have in depth conversations with them about XP and they will expand my knowledge of the disease. These dermatologists will not only be able to educated me, but will give me opportunities that are hard to come by: internships at the NIH, get my name on a piece of scientific literature, and a chance to work at the XP research lab in London, England. So in short, the larger purpose of this project is to help me get where I need to be in order to cure XP.
Project Goal: I had many goals for this project, but if I had to pick one it would be that I made connections necessary to attain a prestigious internship that will set me apart from my medical school competitors.
I mingled with many Doctors whilst at the conference, but one stood out it particular: Dr. Laura Kniedenhoffer. I positioned myself to be able to have conversations with her about my goals and how she is the forefront of researching XP. I didn’t even have to ask for an internship when she heard what my plans are and she told me I had a place in her lab whenever I wanted. I have now set up a three month period over the summer where I will be joining in her research at the University of Minnesota’s Medical School. It is a paid internship that will allow me to gain valuable experiences in my path to medical school.
1-3 Outcome(s):
1: I worked with the top dermatologists in the nation to expand my knowledge as far as XP is concerned.
2: I collaborated with these dermatologists and establish relationships with them in order to get an internships at the University of Minnesota.
3: I interacted with children and adults who have this disease. This brought me more motivation to cure their disease as I saw what they have to go through. There are different types of XP and some that have neurological effects on the victims. This gave me an opportunity to see them and see the differences there are in the different types.
Deliverable(s): I brought back pictures of me at the conference and with the children who have XP. I also brought back a signed statement from the chairman of the board of the XP family support group. These documents will be placed at the bottom of this document.
Differentiation: I can say with confidence that no other person that is at SUU, or the state of Utah for that matter, will be at this conference. It is exclusive to family members only. Because my siblings have this disease, I am one of the few people that are allowed to attend. It’s not every day that a college student gets to work hand in hand with the best dermatologists in the entire world.
Estimated Costs: My estimated costs changed from $275.00 to $0. This was because of the generosity of the XP Family Support Group in covering all my costs.
Estimated Timeline:
Monday: Conferences 8-5
Tuesday: Conferences 8-5
Wednesday: Conferences 8-5
Thursday: Conferences 8-5
Friday: Conferences 8-5
Each night after the conferences are over, I will be interacting with the XP children and ask them to share with me their stories. This will add an additional 3-4 hours. With all the time combined the grand total is 48-49 hours.
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