NewRoFoundation

Fatima Gonzalez’s research helped develop a better understanding of epilepsy, which afflicts one in 26 people. Over the past two summers, Gonzalez examined the brains of epileptic rats vs. non-epileptic rats looking for the presence of certain proteins to determine their impact.

In the summer of 2019, Gonzalez examined two specific regions of the brains for the presence of Interleukin 17 (IL-17). She sliced the rat brains and stained them with an immunohistochemistry (IHC) process to make the IL-17 identifiable.

“Once I did that, I used the microscope to take pictures of different brain regions,” she said.

She found that the prevalence of IL-17 correlated with a lack of seizures.

“That means IL-17 is a beneficial protein to have within the brain,” she said.

This past summer, unable to report to the lab in person because of COVID-19, she studied images her mentor sent, this time counting instances of IL-1beta, another protein. She continues to work with her mentor to determine what potential correlation the protein has with epilepsy.

Science has always been Gonzalez’s favorite subject. In college, she plans to major in it, likely with a medical focus. Her work in the Science Research Program adds to the collected knowledge of a condition that is difficult to control. There is no cure; medication helps suppress the seizures. Gonzalez is glad that her research “helps our understanding a bit better,” she said.