Student conducts research at Des Moines University

Joe Carrington, a senior biology-health professions major from Des Moines, was selected to participate in Des Moines University's 2006 Summer Research Program, a selective program designed to add experience to classroom learning and demonstrate how research affects health care professionals.

Serving as a research assistant for Dr. Luke Mortensen, professor of physiology/pharmacology in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Carrington studied preventative measures of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and he monitored their physiological effects on rats. Carrington gained experience in surgery, lab experiments, and the collection and interpretation of data.

He says, “The ability to study hypertension and its mechanisms gave me a great satisfaction, knowing that my work on the experiments may one day serve the general public and help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease.”

Upon completing his 11-week experience, Carrington presented his research to various professors and physicians.

Carrington credits his college for qualifying him for the program. “I think Northwestern challenges its students to look beyond the textbooks, lectures and questions and think for themselves,” he says. “It was that state of mind that prepared me best for the research environment.”