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Nano-Structural Imaging Lab

The Lab

Research is an extra course without a strict curriculum which some students have the option to take. I joined the Nano-Structural Imaging Lab because I was interested in the scientific process, developed intricately by the greatest minds for thousands of years. This lab has shown me that even the simplest topics become very profound when dealing with them on an advanced level. I have found this to be true for much more than just the sciences; working independently to research a complex topic, I believe this lab helped me learn to plan ahead and manage my time based on the increasingly demanding needs of a long-term project.

My Project

 

 

                    My project is titled Menthol as a Potential Novel and Accessible Anti-Allergic Medication. To summarize my project, here is a part of my Research Plan:

                                                        Substances known as antihistamines bind to histamine receptors before the histamine can do so,                                                  therefore significantly reducing allergy symptoms. Many herbs have been shown to be natural

                               antihistamines. Lamiaceae is a family of herbs that contains many which are proven antihistamines. For example,

                               the Melissa Officinalis, or Lemon Balm, is a species of herbs in this family with multiple studies suggesting it to be an

                               antihistamine. Peppermint is another species of herbs in this family. Peppermint is an herb commonly consumed as a

                               cooling agent in tea or other foods. Menthol is a substance that makes up 50-78 percent of peppermint. An in-vivo study

                               using rats suggests that menthol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is not known what causes these anti-

                               inflammatory effects; however, it is known that many antioxidants are also antihistamines...

                                                        ... Natural antihistamines are a developing alternative to the traditional medication. The benefits of herbs

                               include the very few side effects and their reasonable price and relative effectiveness. Further research on herbs can

                               further the understanding of the nature of antihistaminic properties, which has the potential to enhance their medicinal u

                               uses. The goal of this study is to determine the ability of menthol to act as an antihistamine. 

 

Here, you can download my full research plan:

 

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