Bernadetta Bernatowicz is a junior Biology major who aspires to be a veterinarian. She is a member of the Honors program, the Biology Club, Health Profession’s Organization, and University of Scranton string orchestra.

Bernadetta began her research at the University as a participant in the Faculty Student Research Program, analyzing antioxidant levels in wheat flour and cranberry juice. After taking both the Cell and Developmental biology courses as a sophomore, she realized that she was intrigued with neurons and the nervous system, and thus decided to refocus her research interests on studying nerve cell function.
Bernadetta notes: “Don’t be afraid to switch research topics, because if you’re enthusiastic about and interested in your project you’ll find yourself pushing yourself further than you ever thought possible.”  She chose Dr. Gomez as a mentor because he challenged her to develop her own project. For her Honors thesis, she chose to study the changes that occur in the nervous system during embryonic development as a result of odor imprinting.  She actively researched the topic, wrote a research proposal, and was awarded the President’s Summer Research Fellowship in 2011,

During embryonic odor imprinting, changes occur in the nervous system as a result of exposure to odors from the surrounding environment.  Bernadetta studies how these changes occur by harvesting chick embryonic olfactory cells, growing them in culture, and exposing them to different odors.  She measures changes in the nervous system by determining whether the neurons increase in number, or change their ability to respond to odors as a result of the odor exposures. She uses immunocytochemistry and live cell fluorescence calcium imaging to measure these changes.

Research certainly continues to play a role in her academic development.  “At first, I came in not knowing any techniques.  I had no self-confidence”, she says.  “But after this summer, I can say that I’ve gained the confidence, skills, and understanding, not only for the lab but also for life.   Sure, I learned these in the context of a research lab, but this confidence and ability to understand how you learn is an important overall life skill.”

As for words of wisdom that she can impart to other students, Bernadetta has this to say: “Challenge yourself as much as possible so that you can really understand yourself.  I think research is a really great way to do that.”