Revealing Research: Nick Derfler and Andrew Parks, Traumatic Aorta Rupture Derfler and Parks’ theory involves analysis of the ligamentum arteriosum—a ligament which connects the aorta to the heart—during a lateral impact car accident. Their hypothesis is that this particular type of impact puts stress on the ligament, potentially causing traumatic aortic rupture.
To support their theory, the young men have designed a project in which they simulate car accidents; they use cadaver hearts and lungs in these simulated impacts in order to determine whether speculations prove true. Derfler describes their project as “90% preparatory,” when detailing the construction of a device created to simulate the speed and effect of lateral impact on human internal organs; the two students have been required to perform in-depth literary research, master complex software to help regulate the measurements they need, gather materials, and deal with human specimens.
Parks (a basketball player and biology, business, and economics triple major) and Derfler (a soccer player and biology major) both got their starts in the pre-physical therapy program, but eventually changed majors when they realized they wanted to be doctors. Both aspiring M.D.s agree that their project has helped them develop critical skills they will need in medical school. “It’s pretty good to learn to work independently outside the classroom,” says Parks, and Derfler, “You can never start too early…other biology students at other universities, they don’t even get to have a senior research project.”
