Taking Care of the Mice at the University Laboratory.
Maria Konstantina Tzioti1
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2023.1863
Volume 11, Number 2: 144-146
Received 27 10 2022; Rev-request 25 01 2023; Rev-recd 06 03 2023; Accepted 08 03 2023
As a Greek medical student with a particular research interest, my experience in higher education so far has failed to provide me with substantial knowledge about the research implications of the field. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to spend my first year with online courses, while the possibilities to get involved in university projects as a sophomore were limited, mainly due to the restrictive measures taken to control viral transmission in my country. International Federation of Medical Students Associations' (IFMSA) research exchange program, organized by the Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE), was an opportunity for me to participate in medical studies through bilateral agreements among institutions globally, combining education with interculturality.1 Hence, I decided to take part in the exams to claim one of the available contracts offered to medical students of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, initially hoping for an exchange in a European country, as undertaking such a long journey posed a huge challenge for me. On these grounds, I accepted the contract for Argentina with great trepidation, hoping that a life-changing experience would be worth the risk. Admittedly, having spent a month in this beautiful country, I can now confidently say that it was the best decision I ever made.
The research exchange took place at the Medical Faculty of the National University of Tucuman, in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina. I worked in the biomedical physiology department as a member of the research team, investigating the possible effect of vitamin D and antioxidants on vascular function in experimental models with hypertension.2 Notably, I used the official language of Argentina, Spanish, to facilitate our communication in all the activities I was involved in.
From the first day in the laboratory, I managed to familiarize myself with the experimental animals and taking care of their nutrition and hygiene, always under the supervision of experienced researchers and their undergraduate assistants (Figure 1). I was also taught the proper way to handle the mice to perform various procedures, such as injecting an anesthetic, transferring them to another cage, weighing them in order to calculate the appropriate dose of medication or distinguishing them according to their sex (Figure 2). Moreover, I was fortunate enough to observe a femoral arterial and venous catheterization for conscious blood pressure as well as heart rate measurements in a mouse and further understand the bioethical issues that researchers face, and learn about the protocol used for euthanasia and organ extraction. I became acquainted with the term ‘reactive hyperemia' by performing a test to calculate the blood pressure differentiation in humans induced by a 5-minute forearm cuff occlusion.3
Figure 1.Taking Care of the Mice at the University Laboratory.
Anesthetic injection.
My educational experience in Tucuman was not confined to the laboratory, as I was able to visit the multi-purpose hospital “Angel Cruz Padilla” and learn of its specialties, under the guidance of the hospital doctors. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to attend a theoretical and practical course on the physiology of the electrocardiogram and interact with my fellow students. I learned about the medical curriculum in Argentina and made constructive comparisons with the corresponding curriculum in Greek universities regarding the duration of the studies and the evaluation system.4
Apart from the scientific training and the introduction to the basic principles of medical research, another vital aim of the program was to provide a complete and authentic cultural experience through the daily interaction with medical students-volunteers, along with participation in events and social activities organized by the local committee. Interestingly, the fact that I was the only incoming student that month did not impede me from experiencing the Argentinian customs and culture, all thanks to the excellent hospitality and amiability of the host family and the people I met at the university. As a result, I actively participated in family gatherings and celebrations, having the chance to delve into the Argentinian life and try local delicacies while enjoying folklore music and dances.
Concurrently, I seized any opportunity to explore places outside Tucuman; I travelled to the north, where I visited traditional villages such as Tilcara, Purmamarca and Jujuy, the famous wineries of Cafayate and the wonderful Salta. Overall, this trip enabled me to see landscapes of incredible natural beauty - the most overwhelming feeling I had ever experienced was when I saw the Iguazu Falls.
Personal growth is utterly the most substantial benefit I derived from my exchange experience. Travelling on my own, meeting unique people along the way, and coming into contact with different values and ideals endowed me with a more open-minded perspective. Spending four weeks in Argentina boosted my self-confidence and extroversion, thus empowering me to free myself from stereotypes and fostering my trust in people. Undoubtedly, I consider this amazing educational training an invaluable self-discovery journey that added to my personal development.
Personally, I feel grateful that I took advantage of the opportunity provided by IFMSA to prospective physicians to experience research and diversity in distant countries universally. Having promoted student mobility since 1991, the organization intends to lay the foundation for shaping the future world of medicine. During the project, I explored different scientific approaches and methodologies, adopting a broad understanding and holistic approach to the ethical concerns and practical issues that arise when planning and conducting a scientific study. The impression that the University of Tucuman left on me is definitely positive. Despite the lack of equipment and technical difficulties, the professors did their best to impart their knowledge, always treating me with the respect that is due among colleagues. Understandably, the possible obstacles that students may face during their exchange, such as the language barrier or cultural differences, cannot be overlooked. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that it is worth venturing out and testing these strengths beyond the comfort zone of the home institute; in all likelihood, they will be pleasantly surprised.
Acknowledgements to the Hellenic Medical Students' International Committee (HelMSIC) and the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations of Argentina (IFMSA Argentina) for the provision of the research exchange program and to all the tutors that mentored me during the project. Finally, I would like to thank the head professor of the Department of Physiology of the University of Tucuman, María Peral, for the general supervision and coordination of the project as well as Iakovina Zoumi for contributing to the review and edition of this article.
The Authors have no funding, financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Conceptualization: MKT, Methodology: MKT, Writing – Original Draft: MKT, Writing – Review & Editing: MKT, Visualization: MKT.
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Maria Konstantina Tzioti, 1 Third-year Medical Student. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
About the Author: Maria Konstantina Tzioti is currently a third-year medical student of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Athens, Greece) of a six year program..
Correspondence: Maria Konstantina Tzioti. Address: Athens 157 72, Greece. Email: tzioti.mk@gmail.com
Editor: Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar Student Editors:Ashwini Patankar, Pranjal Garg & Joseph Tonge; Proofreader: Laeeqa Manji; Layout Editor: Ana Maria Morales; Process: Peer-reviewed
Cite as Tzioti MK. IFMSA Research Exchange: A Life-Changing Experience. Int J Med Stud. 2023 Apr-Jun;11(2):144-6.
Copyright © 2023 Maria Konstantina Tzioti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
International Journal of Medical Students, VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2, April 2023