Kayla Burrowes is a third-year Rehabilitation PhD student. She is mentored by Dr. Gordon Mitchell.
Kayla Burrowes (she/her)
Hometown
Belize City, Belize
Mentor
Dr. Gordon Mitchell
Briefly describe your research area
Adenosinergic regulation of mechanisms underlying phrenic motor plasticity.
If you had a bumper sticker to highlight your research, what would it say?
“Got plasticity? My phrenic nerves do!”
What has been the most rewarding part of your PhD journey so far?
The most rewarding part of my PhD journey has been learning and becoming proficient in a highly complex neurophysiology preparation. After months of practice and many failures, I finally mastered it and have used this technique for all the experiments in my dissertation, making it an incredibly rewarding experience.
What has been the most surprising thing about doing a PhD?
The most surprising part of my PhD has been realizing that the more I learn, the more I uncover gaps in my knowledge. Rather than reaching a point of complete understanding, the PhD process continuously pushes you to think more critically and approach problems from new angles. This realization has been both humbling and exciting, reinforcing that research is a continuous process of learning and exploration rather than a destination.
Describe a moment where you felt particularly proud or accomplished since joining the program.
One of my proudest moments was receiving the UF Neuromuscular Plasticity Symposium Travel Award for my first independent study. It was especially meaningful because, at the time, I was feeling defeated, and this recognition reassured me that my work had value. It was a significant milestone that reinforced my ability to conduct independent research and motivated me to keep pushing forward.
What advice do you have for someone considering the UF Rehabilitation Science program or a PhD program in general?
My advice for someone considering the UF Rehabilitation Science program is to be open to exploring new perspectives and disciplines. The program’s interdisciplinary nature provides valuable opportunities to learn from clinicians and experts in various fields, which can significantly broaden your approach to research. Further, my advice is to stay persistent through the inevitable challenges, as those moments of struggle often lead to the most growth and accomplishment.