{"620967":{"#nid":"620967","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Elma Kajtaz: Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences, with minor in Electrophysiology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEver since she could remember, Elma Kajtaz has been fascinated by the nervous system, its mechanics, and how these mechanics help determine an organism\u0026rsquo;s behavior. An excellent student, she studied behavioral sciences at the University of Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo further pursue her research interests, Elma moved to the U.S. where she worked as a research assistant in the lab of renowned physiologist \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physio.northwestern.edu\/faculty\/profile.html?xid=11464\u0022\u003ECharles J. Heckman\u003C\/a\u003E, at Northwestern University. There, she studied the role of neural circuits in the mammalian spinal cord, in an effort to understand the plasticity of these circuits. Needless to say, she was hooked on neuroscience for life!\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELong before the popularity of the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alsa.org\/fight-als\/ice-bucket-challenge.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw7sDlBRC9ARIsAD-pDFq3Y_tZdFiLL4zxg2LVu0YJv4BfjS6kfhpN57cKk5dvVePAdkmkm8gaAsDCEALw_wcB\u0022\u003EIce Bucket Challenge\u003C\/a\u003E, Elma helped advance the understanding of spinal cord changes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). \u0026ldquo;The accomplishment gave me a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction that determined my life trajectory,\u0026rdquo; Elma says. \u0026ldquo;I was headed for a Ph.D. at Tech.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt Heckman\u0026rsquo;s encouragement, Elma learned about the research of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/people\/richard-nichols\u0022\u003ET. Richard Nichols\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/T.-Richard-Nichols\u0022\u003EWalter H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I was intrigued and fascinated, so I applied to Tech to study with him,\u0026rdquo; Elma says. \u0026ldquo;From the first moment I met Dr. Nichols, I knew I needed to learn everything I could from him. His wonderful view on life, insightful scientific ideas, vast knowledge, and unmatched care for humans made him an incredible mentor. I am incredibly happy to have had a chance to work with him.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is the most important thing you learned at Georgia Tech? \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI learned the value of support and collaboration. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI completed my thesis research in Dr. Nichols\u0026rsquo; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pwp.gatech.edu\/neurophysiology\/\u0022\u003ENeurophysiology Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E with a multidisciplinary team of electrical engineers, medical scientists, and physical therapists.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe faculty at Tech are recognized leaders in motor control, with deep and specific expertise in proprioceptive feedback networks (Drs. Nichols and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/timothy-cope\u0022\u003ETimothy Cope\u003C\/a\u003E) and biomechanics and motor control (Drs. \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/people\/boris-Prilutsky\u0022\u003EBoris Prilutsky\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/user\/simon-sponberg\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg\u003C\/a\u003E). Their extensive database of neuromechanical data collected through decades of high-level research provided a unique reference for comparison that does not exist in any other institution. Moreover, they gladly share their knowledge, resources, and expertise!\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy research would not have been possible without support and collaboration from a diverse neuroscience community in the lab and across the Tech campus. I benefited from an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative academic environment at Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt, indeed, takes a village to raise a neuroscientist.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are your proudest achievements at Georgia Tech? \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI take great pride in helping students learn and develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, derive hypotheses and carry out independent research, and collaborate and communicate their ideas to others effectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt is not surprising that my proudest moments arise from the success of my mentees. Teaching and mentoring have been immensely rewarding and have reaffirmed my desire to be an educator of the next generation of scientists and engineers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhich professor(s) or class(es) made a big impact on you?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy advisor, Dr. Nichols, was incredibly instrumental to my success as an emerging scientist. He taught me new skills, discussed the wonders of science, and listened to all my hopes, dreams, and fears. He encouraged me to spread my wings, challenge and better myself, and form new collaborations and friendships across campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis encouragement led me to \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ecotheory.biology.gatech.edu\/people\/joshua-weitz\u0022\u003EDr. Joshua Weitz\u003C\/a\u003E, when he was starting the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/home\u0022\u003EQuantitative Biosciences (QBioS) program\u003C\/a\u003E. Dr. Weitz taught me an invaluable lesson on how to reason quantitatively in the biosciences despite immense uncertainty, through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/foundations-quantitative-biosciences-new-cornerstone-course-qbios-phd-0\u0022\u003EFoundations of Quantitative Biosciences\u003C\/a\u003E course, which allowed me to grow as a scientist and reach a new plane of knowledge and understanding.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. Weitz and my peers in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/hg\/item\/563791\u0022\u003Einaugural QBioS class\u003C\/a\u003E invigorated me, animated my enthusiasm for science, and inspired new ways of thinking about my research. Their unique and diverse scientific interests, willingness to share expertise, and unwavering pursuit of knowledge, made the QBioS program so magnificent.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI am incredibly proud to have been a part of the inaugural QBioS class and to be the first graduate from the QBioS program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is your most vivid memory of Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy dissertation defense was the culmination of my educational, personal, and emotional experiences and efforts. It is something I will remember forever.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn what ways did your time at Georgia Tech transform your life?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech provided an opportunity for me to develop as a neuroscientist, grow as a person, and deepen my friendships.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI\u0026rsquo;ve met incredible people at Georgia Tech and formed lifelong friendships that are remarkably supportive. I would not be the person I am, without these impactful relationships.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat unique learning activities did you undertake?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYes, Tech does research incredibly well. But I also learned the importance of teaching and mentorship. The personal satisfaction I gain when helping someone with a new skill and watching them succeed is unmatched!\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETogether with applied physiology colleagues, I co-founded the student group \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtpaper.wixsite.com\/paper\u0022\u003EPromoting Applied Physiology Education and Research\u003C\/a\u003E (PAPER). We organized, led, and instructed several technical workshops and courses for students and faculty. It is incredibly fulfilling to learn that PAPER is now more alive than ever! It still brings new students together to share skills, communicate ideas, and organize outreach programs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI also had the privilege to share my passion for science and my research findings with a broader and more diverse audience through participation at the annual \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/\u0022\u003EAtlanta Science Festival\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.worldsciencefestival.com\/\u0022\u003EWorld Science Festival\u003C\/a\u003E in New York.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat advice would you give to incoming graduate students at Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOpportunities for personal and academic growth at Georgia Tech are enormous \u0026ndash; a remarkable variety of classes, clubs, programs, facilities, local conferences, seminars, talks, etc. Get involved and take advantage of it all. If something you want is not available, organize it yourself.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGet involved in the greater Atlanta community. Atlanta is your home, not just the place where you study. Make it great.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETake time for yourself, find a hobby, and try new things: hiking, kayaking, swimming. Tech even has an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m4C8PzSelE0\u0022\u003Eunderwater hockey club\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMake new friendships.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhere are you headed after graduation? \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI will continue in the field of motor control at the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/louisville.edu\/medicine\u0022\u003EUniversity of Louisville, School of Medicine\u003C\/a\u003E, in the laboratory of an excellent collaborator that focuses on gait impairment following spinal cord injury. Here, I will expand on the research I performed at Tech. This project has significant clinical applications and direct benefits to society. I\u0026rsquo;d like to see it succeed.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"It takes a village to raise a neuroscientist"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEver since she could remember, Elma Kajtaz has been fascinated by the nervous system, its mechanics, and how these mechanics help determine an organism\u0026rsquo;s behavior.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"It takes a village to raise a neuroscientist."}],"uid":"30678","created_gmt":"2019-04-26 20:56:25","changed_gmt":"2019-04-29 13:52:13","author":"A. Maureen Rouhi","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"620966":{"id":"620966","type":"image","title":"Elma Kajtaz","body":null,"created":"1556311909","gmt_created":"2019-04-26 20:51:49","changed":"1556311909","gmt_changed":"2019-04-26 20:51:49","alt":"","file":{"fid":"236506","name":"2018 Elma Kajtaz.4x5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2018%20Elma%20Kajtaz.4x5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2018%20Elma%20Kajtaz.4x5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":461253,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/2018%20Elma%20Kajtaz.4x5.jpg?itok=ZsV5BqXi"}}},"media_ids":["620966"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/hg\/item\/563791","title":"College of Sciences Welcomes Inaugural Class of Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Quantitative Biosciences"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"181143","name":"locomotion dynamics"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA. Maureen Rouhi, Ph.D.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maureen.rouhi@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}