IRSF Features
Investigator Spotlight: Maurizio Giustetto, PhD, National Institute of Neuroscience –Italy and University of Torino
This issue of the Investigator spotlight focuses on Dr. Maurizio Giustetto, an international recipient of a 2011 Basic Research Grant. Dr. Giustetto is an Associate Professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Torino and also a member of the National Institute of Neuroscience, a non-profit consortium formed by a number of neuroscience research university centers in Italy. Prior to opening up his own lab, he trained as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Kandel at Columbia University and received his Master and Doctorate degrees in Neuroscience from University of Torino.
Featured Angel: Maranda LeeAnn Ingram
Hi my name is Maranda LeeAnn Ingram. I was born December 16, 2010. I live in Quitman, Texas (East Texas) with my mom, dad and big brother. I was diagnosed with Rett syndrome when I was 18 months old. My parents had concerns around six months old when I did not show interest in transitioning or crawling. The Doctors said to wait and see for the next six months; she may just be slow or lazy. When I was 12 months old testing started and I began physical, occupational, developmental and speech therapy. In the meantime, I had a MRI, blood work, EEG, EKG, and even had to wear a helmet for 4 months; but everything came back normal. At 14 months old I was diagnosed as having a mild mental retardation; my parents knew this wasn’t the case because I was very smart. By 18 months, I was still unable to talk, transition, crawl, and pull to stand, or walk. I lost my ability to self-feed and most of my manipulations skills, and my hands were constantly in my mouth.