Brainy Adventures: Interns Dissect Sheep Brains with Dr. Galam A. Khan

At the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Internship, every day feels like an adventure, especially when you’re getting hands-on with real brains! Our latest internship escapade had the interns donning their lab coats and diving into the world of neuroanatomy by dissecting sheep brains with none other than Dr. Galam A. Khan, the Assistant Director of the Georgetown Brain Bank.

Dr. Khan shared his expert tips and guided us through the dissection process. Elias Sharifi couldn’t hide his enthusiasm; "The most fascinating discovery I made during the dissection is seeing where the sheep’s optical nerves met the brain, which allowed me to visualize the brain more. Furthermore, slicing off the area where the brain meets the spinal cord also furthered my visualization of the brain. Dr. Galam A. Khan's tips with dissection helped a lot with the process."

With scalpels in hand and curiosity in their hearts, the interns explored the brain’s inner workings. Elyse Smith found herself amazed by the brain’s intricate design, "During the dissection process, the most fascinating discovery I made about the sheep brains was that all the regions of the brain share so many similarities but also differences. As we dissected the physical sheep brain, we were able to see certain brain regions and vessels for ourselves. However, within the different parts of the brain, there were also connections and traits similar to those of other parts. Seeing this gave me a different perspective about the brain."

Grace Maeng had a few comments about the brain’s texture, "Honestly, the texture of the brain really surprised me. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was much tougher than what I had expected. It painted a better picture of how the brain looked and its structure."

Dr. Khan’s guidance turned what could have been a daunting task into a fun and educational experience. The interns got up close and personal with the brain’s various regions, gaining a deeper understanding of its complex structures.

This sheep brain dissection was more than just a learning activity—it was an opportunity that left everyone with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of neuroscience. The internship continues to provide these future neuroscientists with unforgettable experiences that bring their studies to life.