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Artifact

This past semester, I competed the biology evolution and ecology course. I did not expect to enjoy the class as much as I did! I love being outside- hiking, camping, being in nature. etc.! After competing this course, however, I began to interact with the world around me in a different way. I have a much deeper appreciation for each animal, plant, and human after learning how each creature came from one small organism.

At the end of the day, everything in the world can come down to science! (Which is a big reason why I love what I study!!!)

The final project in this class was to research and create a hypothesis with my assigned lab peers. Our specific study focused on Sunkist shrimp activity! Click below to check it out.

Poster.pdf

This project reminded me about the importance of compromises in a group setting. Working in groups is an extremely normal part of life! It is super super important to learn how to            communicate your thoughts in a respectful way. I feel lucky to have been paired with a group of people who were open to criticism and truly respected one another.

 

Class Review: Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience

This past semester I had the privilege of taking Into to Cognitive Neuroscience with Professor Brian Siefke. It is classes like this that make me proud to be an Ohio State student! The class was fun yet challenging and ultimately pushed me out of my comfort zone. The material provides a on basic education of the nervous system and begins to delve into various mechanisms for thought processes and actions that occur within the body. Each chapter had something interesting to be learned and our professor was truly the best I have had since beginning my undergraduate degree.

For the final project in class, we had to interpret recorded fMRI and behavioral data in accordance with what we had learned in the class. For someone who has never seen recorded fMRI data, I had no idea where to begin looking first. While at first, I was overwhelmed by the vast amount of info, I took a step back to reframe my approach. It was only after doing this, the project became super enjoyable! I was able to break the data into separate components and work on them confidently in bits.

My hope for the future is to continue learning more about this field. Whether this be in a classroom or my psychology student lab- I look forward for what is to come.

In all, this is the class that helped me confirm my professional interest in neuroscience! For that, I am super thankful.

 

 

Year in Review

This year is hard to describe in a few words. It felt like the first true year of college, as student originations and classes began to meet again in person. While I want to say I was prepared for this, I was most definitely not. The switch from broadcasted zoom lectures in my dorm room to in-person classes was drastic. The largest class I sat in before college was 24 kids, so sitting in classes seating 200+ people was a big, unanticipated adjustment. I came into this year, unsure of my major decision. I knew I loved to learn about to brain, yet I felt discouraged by the words of others. I felt it was important to take more classes and leave this year with a definite answer in regard to my major. I am a proud neuroscience major and business management minor!

This past year I also took classes that challenged my way of thinking. Organic chemistry, a beast of it’s own accord, taught me to takes notes in a strategic manner. There was lots of new info, all of which could be easily confused with one another. Following my traditional study methods from high school was no longer an option. I had to play around with different study methods. It was only once I began doing work to condense, reorganize, categorize and differentiate the different reactions, I saw improvements in my grade. This skill will remain with me for years after college!

In all, this year has taught me a lot about self-education, time management, personal autonomy. I look forward to all the challenges I will grow from in my future time here at tOSU!

Research at Case Western Reserve University

For the past two years, I’ve been performing research under the emeritus dean of the Case Western Reserve Medical School. In his lab, I assist, maintain, and conduct experiments with murine strains that serve as models for human disease. In my personal research project, I aim to understand the effect of dietary fat on the progression of esophageal cancer. Although the study is still in progress, I presented my research findings from the summer of 2019 at a research convention, explaining my abstract to visitors and answering any questions!

Abstract – CWRU

 

Year in Review

I can’t believe the end of my first semester at OSU is right around the corner.

I realized once I arrived on campus how different my experience would be compared to the rest of my family and friends. I had to throw all my previous expectations out the window and be ready to experience anything. In reality, that’s all we can do in a time like this. Overall, I’m happy with how I’m leaving my first semester and I’m motivated to do perform the same, if not better, in my second semester here.

Challenges: 

Getting back into the school routine was a difficult in the beginning, especially with an all-online delivery. Chemistry was hands down my greatest challenge; I spent countless hours each week trying to understand the material. While it was time-consuming and tedious, it forced me to adapt my study and note-taking methods. My ability to properly take college-level notes is due to the challenges that I faced with this course.

Another challenge I faced pertains to the social aspect of college. I found it difficult to meet people and find friends that I love! Although I anticipated this due to COVID-19, it was much harder to experience first-hand. Before classes began, I was going out and meeting new people. As soon as classes started however, I ‘hybernated’ and poured myself into my studies. Going out to meet new friends became the last task on my to do list and I think this negativley haped my first semster here.

Victories:

I am so proud of myself for finishing this semester on a high note. I performed well in my classes and put up a good show here on campus. I connected with my roomate and I’ve made a good faculty connection here at Ohio State! And… slowly, slowly, I’m learning the campus! This semester has definitely been a challenge, but all my small victories, such as performing well in my classes, making my first college friend, cooking in a college dorm, etc., outweigh the negative.

Spring 2021, I’m ready for you!!

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness:

As someone who grew up in a culturally diverse home, the idea of multiculturalism and pluralism were normalized to me. Many of my fundamental beliefs are rooted in the ideas of exposure and experiential learning. Before beginning my undergraduate degree, I wanted to gain exposure to other cultures and social backgrounds. I traveled to study in Israel, where I lived alongside Israeli and American peers my age. I studied, volunteered with the Jewish African Community Center, and interned with a high tech company in the city of Tel Aviv.

During the rest of my time at OSU, I know I will go out of my way to gain more cultural awareness. I hope to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark after studying for my DAT. There, I will be exposed to a completely new culture and be able to expand my understanding of neuroscience. I’m so excited to see what this opportunity holds for me!

Original Inquiry:

For the past 2 years, I’ve been conducting research at Case Western Reserve University on the study of esophageal cancer. I plan to continue working with my PI over school breaks to further develop the study. I look forward to getting involved with more research here at the Ohio State University.

Academic Enrichment: 

Growing up, I always asked questions and dug for answers. This deep curiosity still prompts me to continue my studies today. My fascination with the wonders of the human body and my interest in human psychology are what led me to choose my neuroscience major. One of the medical fields we know the least about is neuroscience. However, our access to high-technology has opened the doors to advanced neurological research and the field is developing at one of the fastest rates seen. This field answers the questions I’ve had for years and allows me to continue asking new questions for the rest of my life! It’s guaranteeing me my life in books.

Leadership Development: 

I’m currently organizing the annual-fundraiser for Friendship Circle, an organization that works with children who have special needs. It is my role to communicate with large-organization donors, raise funds, email sponsors, and send out emails to effectively raise over $500,000.

Service Engagement:

I’ve always been extremely hands-on with my community. Growing up, I became involved with Friendship Circle from a very young age and I’ve continued ever since! Currently, my role at Friendship circle is a volunteer position. I’m so lucky to be working with peers and an organization that feel like family.

 

MY VISION STATEMENT:

In the remainder of my undergraduate degree, I intend to take more advantage of all the opportunities provided by The Ohio State University. This includes and is not limited to the job fairs, club organizations and amazing recourses (ie our faculty!) that are on campus.

I want to look back at my college years and feel grateful, knowing I took every opportunity that came my way. Regardless of whether an event / activity will be with people I know, I choose to remain open minded and curious!

 

Youth Speak Out: Stop The Hate

During my junior year of high school, I competed in a region-wide essay contest. I was given the privelage to share a personal story of hate and violence in a room filled with hundreds of people. While my story was difficult to share, I knew that speaking out was crucial. I could raise awareness of the bigotry and violence possible in one’s own home; a place meant for peace and love.

I was honored to be awarded the first-runner up prize!

About Me

 

Hello!

My name is Dahlia Moskowitz and I’m a first-year student from Beachwood, Ohio. I’m following a Neuroscience track and I hope to attend dental school in the near future.

Ever since I was young, I’ve had a great thirst for knowledge and helping others. I began volunteering consistently in middle school with Friendship Circle, an organization focused on supporting children with special needs. They quickly became a huge part of my life and still are, as I continue to volunteer with them today. In fact, my volunteer work with them is a large reason why I chose to study the field of neuroscience. Volunteering with children who are not neurotypical made me appreciate the elaborate communication system we call the human nervous system. It is as a neuroscientist that I will have the ability to research and answer questions that have been asked for years. During my time in high school, I decided to begin contributing to the research field and joined a lab at Case Western Reserve University. My work to understand esophageal adenocarcinoma has solidified my interest in the research process and I look forward to more research experience here!

Currently, at Ohio State University, I am involved with the OSU farm, Sierra Club, and MSF (Doctors Without Borders)! I also love weight lifting and have been super active ever since I was young. Lately, I’ve been getting more involved with other sports and meditative practices. I’m super excited to be here, exploring and learning in the city of Columbus. I’m ready for my next four years of growth!

Feel free to contact me with questions!