Summer 2026 

Kathleen  DiGraitis

During the summer of 2026, Kathleen participated in a research program at Nagoya University in Japan, where she studied kisspeptin neurons, which serve as a master regulator of reproductive function in mammals. Through this experience, Kathleen gained valuable hands-on research skills by performing vaginal swabbing, oophorectomies, perfusions, brain sectioning, and staining techniques. She also expanded her understanding of Japanese culture and experienced the differences between Japanese and American research environments.

The purpose of her research was to better understand the major biological pathways involved in follicular development and ovulation. Kathleen conducted experiments using rats that had undergone oophorectomies and were implanted with low-dose estradiol tubes. These experiments allowed her to study the hormonal surges that trigger ovulation, as well as the hormonal waves associated with follicular development. Following the experiments, Kathleen perfused the rats to remove blood from the brain before sectioning and staining the brain tissue to observe kisspeptin neuron expression.

Overall, Kathleen found the research abroad program extremely beneficial for advancing her understanding of biological pathways involved in reproduction and gaining firsthand experience in how research is conducted in a different cultural and academic environment. She would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in expanding their scientific knowledge while gaining valuable experience with other cultures and work environments.