Deborah Brown
Maplewood High School
Chemistry I, AP Chemistry

Ed Donnelly; Radiology

This summer I learned how x-rays work. I also learned how this relates to measure bone-mineral density. I also learned how CT scans are made. I learned how to process the images once they were made. The goal of the CT project was to test if phase-contrast CT images had better responses for spotting tissue abnormalities than contact CT’s. Contact CT’s are currently being used. This is where the object being examined is close to the detector. With phase-contrast CT, the object is further away from the detector causing an edge effect around tissue. In the bone-mineral density research, we were trying to find the best high and low energy images and with the best filter/no filter to compare bone-mineral density information with current technologies being used. I had a great time in Dr. Donnelly's lab. I learned a lot of new information. Dr. Donnelly was great about explaining everything. He spent time with us almost every day to ensure we knew what to do and how our research related to the big picture.

I am currently writing two modules. One relates to density; the other is related to the electromagnetic spectrum.
The density module has the students eventually building a mouse (simulating fat and bone) to get the mouse to float. So the students must understand that bone and tissue densities play a role in a living object’s density. The electromagnetic spectrum module has the student to make a treatment plan for someone with bone-mineral density loss as well as to determine the best way to detect bone-mineral density loss.