Burton D. Morgan Fellow Attends World Parkinson Congress
Stacia Braden (R), a senior pursuing speech, language and hearing sciences and the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, attended the 2016 World Parkinson Congress. She is pictured with Dr. Jessica Huber, a Purdue faculty member studying Parkinson’s and Braden’s mentor.
Stacia Braden, a senior pursuing speech, language and hearing sciences and the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, attended the 2016 World Parkinson Congress. This was possible because she is Burton D. Morgan Fellow.
The Burton D. Morgan Fellows are high performing, student thought leaders in the area of entrepreneurship. Outstanding undergraduate and graduate students from across academic disciplines are selected every year. The program is designed to be a student-driven initiative, focused on educational leadership, mentorship and community building while supporting professional development. The program is funded by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.
“I feel fortunate to have attended the World Parkinson Congress,” Braden said. “I work in Dr. Jessica Huber’s research lab, focusing on how Parkinson’s disease affects speech. The congress was insightful because attendees ranged from researchers, doctors, to people with Parkinson’s. We were able to hear personal accounts describing the challenges of this disease from individuals with Parkinson’s at the conclusion of a variety of session. I knew that most people have challenges with muscle rigidity and speech clarity, but to see it first hand at the congress was eye opening.”
Huber added that it was wonderful to see Stacia’s interest and desire to learn at the World Parkinson Congress. She was prepared for sessions and motivated even at the end of long days of seminars.
“As a member of my lab, Stacia has demonstrated growth in all areas of scholarship. She is a strong leader in the lab; other undergraduate students depend on her to answer questions about data collection and analysis and to provide insight as a senior undergraduate. I have grown to depend on her intellect and organization to ensure reliable data analysis.”
Braden’s next professional development pursuit is meeting with a mentor at Arizona State University whose lab focuses on motor speech, which offers a different perspective to what she has been researching in Dr. Huber’s lab.
Braden credits these experiences to being in the fellows program.
“Being a fellow has allowed me to pursue opportunities that I would not have been able to. Learning has been the focus of my experience. My area of study is health care based, but I still found each aspect of the program applicable. Advice from guest speakers and other fellows has been invaluable to my future success.”
Braden is currently applying to graduate school and hopes to work in geriatrics, helping with speech and swallowing challenges upon completing her degrees.