Delanie Crabtree ’23

Major: Cellular Neurobiology
Project: Stress Physiology, Neurodevelopment, and Pigmentation in a Vertebrate Model
Advisor: Sara J. McClelland, assistant professor of biological sciences

A passion for research compelled Delanie Crabtree to design her own project in which she analyzed how chronic stress impacts body and brain morphology, using tadpoles as the vertebrate model. Crabtree enhanced the stress levels of the tadpoles via a waterborne stress hormone and measured how this physiologically realistic level of stress affected her subjects’ behavior, pigmentation, and morphology.

Crabtree monitored the tadpoles’ behavior and pigmentation on a weekly basis, in addition to collecting waterborne and plasma hormones (present in the blood) and analyzing body morphology and brain anatomy. The results of her study were delayed due to time constraints.

“My biggest challenge was frankly trying to accomplish too many things,” she says. “It is hard to imagine how fast 10 weeks go by.”

Despite this obstacle, Crabtree emphasizes how much she enjoyed her experience.

“My biggest takeaway from this summer has truly been understanding what I want to pursue in my career,” she says. “I love research, and I loved working every day on my project. I am excited to pursue graduate studies and further this passion.”

Crabtree credits her advisor, Sara McClelland, assistant professor of biological sciences, with giving valuable guidance on how to expand the project and what methods to use. Crabtree emphasizes how their shared excitement and passion for research created a positive, creative environment.

When asked whether she plans to further her research, Crabtree excitedly says, “Yes! I have a lot more that I want to complete with the project, including staining and further analysis.”