Introduction

Hello,

My name is Bhanu Bucchireddigari and I'm a senior at BASIS Scottsdale. During my last trimester of high school, I will be conducting a Senior Research Project. By completing this project, I will graduate with high honors after presenting my research findings to the greater community on May 7th. I will spend 10 weeks interning at the Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix starting early February, with my mentor Sumit Agarwal. At the facility, I have selected to research a topic which combines my two main interests in medicine: neurology and endocrinology.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a form of nerve damage which can occur because of prolonged diabetes. This disease affects up to 50% of older type 2 diabetic patients; it is the most common of the long-term complications of diabetes. Although there different types of neuropathies, the most prevalent, and the one I will be researching, is somatic neuropathy which affects the lower extremities of the body. If left untreated, this can cause diabetic foot ulcers, which can lead to the loss of a foot, a leg, or even a life.

My research at Banner will help patients with diabetic neuropathy handle the pain in better ways by using conventional as well as alternative treatment modalities.  At the end of the research project, I will create a patient education module, which is the primary goal. This way, patients who are diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy can try to control their pain levels, and those in danger of it can take precautions to avoid the illness. There are also a few secondary goals. I will observe the relationships between demographic variables and diabetic neuropathy in order to identify key factors responsible for diabetic neuropathy.

My main method of gathering data will involve analyzing patient records. This will be especially useful when collecting information about the demographics of patients with diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, I will use the records to see what predisposing factors may have caused their illnesses and what they may have done to help cope with the pain.

Considering my project begins in only a few weeks, I’m very excited to start my internship at Banner. This will be one of my first experiences with research in a professional setting, and I am hopeful it will give me great insight into the medical field. I can’t wait to share my experiences with you!