WEST HIGH GRADUATE SCORES INTERNSHIP
WITH SPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Davenport West High graduate Scott Sheehan is spending the summer working with scientists in the Neuroautonomic Laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI).

Sheehan, a medical student at George Washington University, is working through his NSBRI internship on the software aspect of increasing the sensitivity of standard EKGs to better diagnose heart disease.  The research initiative he is supporting this summer is entitled, "High Frequency Electrocardiography in Predicting Ischemia and Acute Coronary Disease."

"In the time that I've been at JSC, I've made real progress in my research, while simultaneously enjoying the opportunity to meet some of the brightest people in the country," Sheehan said.  "I've worked with the top researchers in their fields and even met a few astronauts.  This has been absolutely the best summer ever."   

Sheehan is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in computer science.  He graduated from West Davenport High School in Davenport, Iowa, and is the son of Daniel and Mary Sheehan.

The NSBRI offers internships to a small number of undergraduate, graduate and medical students who are interested in life sciences.  The 10-to-12 week program gives students the opportunity to join ongoing projects with scientists at JSC.

"The summer program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain exposure to space biomedical research and have mentors who are space life scientists," said Dr. Jeffrey Sutton, NSBRI director.  "The program allows us to engage and inspire the next generation of scientists." 

The NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration space flight.  The Institute's research and education projects take place at more than 70 institutions across the United States.  NSBRI research projects address space health concerns such as bone loss, muscle weakening, cardiovascular changes, sleep disturbances, immunology and infection, balance and orientation, radiation exposure, neurobehavioral and psychosocial issues, and nutrition, physical fitness and rehabilitation. The Institute is also working to develop remote medical technologies and research devices.

  A space research internship with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is a unique and rare experience; only 13 candidates were chosen this year from a pool of international applicants.  “We’re really excited for Scott,” says Grey Meyer, principal at West High.  “It’s a great opportunity for him and a wonderful testimony to the quality of our math and science curriculums here in the Davenport Schools.”