Alexander Shanku
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
Alex is a junior at Wayne
State University pursuing a degree in biology. His current studies involve
glial cell activity in the presence of neuroprotective agents, specifically
minocycline, in animal models of neonatal hydrocephalus. By being accepted
into the WSU Honors Program, along with applying for and receiving a research
grant, he has helped to fund much of this project himself and his results
will form an important part of his honors thesis.
Alex is also the founder and president of The Society of Undergraduate Researchers. This organization was established to increase students’ awareness of the research opportunities available to them, to give students a chance to present their current research, to organize off-campus events involving research, and to bring guest lecturers in to speak about their current areas of research to the undergraduate group.
After his undergraduate work is complete, Alex plans
on applying to an MD/PhD program to continue his research in neuroscience.
Alex is very interested in surgery, specifically neurosurgery, and currently
shadows DMC neurosurgeons whenever possible.