Chandni Rana, BME undergraduate student, was recently selected by the UF Center for Undergraduate Research (CUR) for the 2018 Summer Undergraduate International Research Program to attend the RIKEN Brain Science Summer Program in Japan.

The RIKEN Brain Summer Program is designed to encourage and further the education of young neuroscientists and emerging researchers as they enter the international neuroscience community. Around 45 international students are typically accepted each year for the summer program, which is highly competitive, with only one out of six or seven applicants being selected.

Rana’s research project involves analyzing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) induced changes to neural activity by applying support vector machine and other machine learning classifiers to EEG data. EEG data is obtained and analyzed from patients undergoing transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) while performing a visual working memory task to determine what effects tACS has on working memory capacity, ERP modulation, and other cognitive measurements.

The RIKEN, located just outside Tokyo, Japan, offers a summer program to train advanced students interested in brain function. Applicants may choose either a two-month laboratory internship (Plan A) within a RIKEN laboratory or an intensive 5-day lecture course (Plan B) featuring a distinguished international faculty. Rana will be participating in both Plan A & B which combines the two-month internship and lecture course.

CUR is committed to fostering a culture of research that encourages all students to include a research component as a critical part of their undergraduate experience. The Center provides guidance to students and faculty interested in pursuing research opportunities and the coordination of campus research activities.

Congratulations, Chandni Rana!