Eileen Rodriguez gave a seminar about the gastrointestinal tract where she discussed terms like nitric oxide (NO) activity and how NO is produced. She explained that 41% of gastrointestinal problems affect about 25% of the US population and discussed several diseases. Rodriguez also described how she conducted experiments extracting and stimulating the intestines of guinea pigs to learn about their function and the role of relaxation and contraction in the gastrointestinal tract. The seminar provided students a useful learning experience about the gastrointestinal tract and motivated them towards their goals.

1. Eileen’s talk
As a RISE student, I attended a seminar about the gastrointestinal track which was
presented by Ms. Eileen Rodriguez. There she discussed terms such as nitric oxide (NO)
activity. NO can serve many functions as a simple and unique molecule. In order for NO
to be produced, L-arginine is first needed and the activation of nitric oxide synthase will
produce as a result of NO. Forty-one (41%) of gastrointestinal problems affect about 25%
of the US population. Some of the diseases include: dyspepsia, achalasia, gastro paresis,
chronic constipation and Chagas’ disease. The GI track is controlled by the Enteric
Nervous system which is found in the myenteric plexus which in turn controls the
relaxation and contractions of the GI tract. Calcium is an essential element to cause
relaxation in the muscle. Ms. Rodríguez performed experiments where she needed to
extract the intestine of a guinea pig and preserve it. Also, she needed to control the
temperature where she was performing her experiment as well as providing the needed
oxygen to maintain it alive. Furthermore, she needed to stimulate the intestine to learn
about its function. A balance between contraction and relaxation is needed, in order for
the GI tract to work normally. This is called peristalsis, the movement of contraction and
relaxation in the GI track. Excessive nitric oxide causes too much relaxation and as a
consequence the subject will have diarrhea. Her investigations are related to the GI track
and are much more complex and abundant than what I include here. Previous studies
have been made but there is always much to learn.
This seminar was a great experience in which I learned about the GI track. The
way she presented it was very useful for listeners. I especially enjoyed the second

2. presentation in the RISE meeting since it seemed to be more personal. She spoke to a
smaller audience and we got a better chance to interact with her by asking questions.
Moreover, she then talked a little bit about her life and how she decided to become a
researcher. Activities like this one motivate students to keep working harder towards their
goals.
Questions:
1) How often must the process of placing the tube along with the bubble in the esophagus
have to be repeated?
2) Which animal did you use in your experiment? Why? Were you supposed to kill it?
3) What increases NO activity during pregnancy?