In this module students will explore many career options in medicine, such as radiology and pharmacology, and have the chance to talk to professionals in each career field. They will have the opportunity to work in the emergency room (ER), laboratory, and the operating room (OR). Students will also type their own blood in the laboratory, ultrasound a pregnant woman, experience an MRI test in radiology, and go to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital operating room and learn to scrub, suture, and intubate. There will be a chance to explore a medivac fixed wing plane, ride an ambulance to the hospital and the opportunity for students to earn their CPR certification and Basic First Aid card.  Additionally, students will "operate" on pig eyes, hearts and lungs, and will perform a physical exam on a reindeer at the UAF Reindeer Farm. They will also participate in a necropsy of a reindeer or musk ox, as well as visit several laboratories, including the State of Alaska Virology Lab.

If you are interested in any career in the health care field, this is the module for you!

Lori is a neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse at the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She created the Biomedicine module for ASRA, and has instructed it for many years. Lori teaches the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) at the hospital. She was a Girl Scout leader for 13 years.  

Jenna Schmidt is a senior at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She will be graduating this May with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Arctic Skills, and is hoping to continue on to medical school. Her personal experiences as a student and teacher have inspired her to become more involved with scientific outreach.  Growing up in the rural community of Nome, Alaska and subsequently moving on to college has allowed Jenna to be involved with hands-on education and application of her own technical knowledge. She has worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) in Nome, as well as assisted in teaching introductory genetics courses. Her laboratory experience includes her research project for Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) II in 2007 and employment as a laboratory technician for the Runstadler Laboratory at UAF, which is part of the Alaska Asia Avian Influenza Research Network (A³IR). A firm supporter of applied sciences in education, she is excited to further explore the quickly expanding field of genetics and biology.

Courtney Nichols is a second year Ph.D. student in Barbara Taylor’s
laboratory at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She graduated from
UAF with a B.S. in Biology in 2011 and has experience working in
various research laboratories studying evolution to physiology. Her
thesis research includes exploring the role of insulin signaling and
Alaskan botanicals on neuronal aging using the nematode,
Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. Courtney is excited to be
involved with ASRA for her first summer and to share her enthusiasm
for scientific research and learning with high school students!