Sidney Cromwell

Intern Mentor
2017- 18

More Than Skin Deep: Melanin’s Role in the Prevention of Degenerative Disease

Research Methodology
Research Question and Hypothesis
Is melanin effective in preventing the onset of diseases other than Melanoma?

It has been hypothesized that the more melanin an individual produces, the lower their
risk of developing degenerative disease.

Basis of Hypothesis

Melanin shares similar properties with antioxidants which are are known their ability to
prevent degeneration of tissues. One study conducted by the University of Chicago Medical
Center discovered a correlation between melanin’s antioxidant properties and macular
degeneration. The study found that the melanin present in iris is responsible for neutralizing
oxygen free radicals, thus preventing macular degeneration (University of Chicago Medical
Center, 2005). Another study linked melanin’s antioxidant properties to a decrease in the
development of Multiple Sclerosis.. This claim was supported by the evidence of an experiment
conducted on mice suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The study found that mice left in the dark,
thus suppressing melanin production, suffered from more severe symptoms of MS compared to
mice exposed to light (Constantinescu, 1995). The aforementioned research implies a correlation
between the presence of melanin and the severity or risk of neurodegenerative disease exists.
Through further research, this correlation will be either proved or disproved.

Research Design:

A meta- analysis will be conducted in order to collect quantitative data to establish and
support a correlation between melanin and the prevention of degenerative disease. Data collected
from studies of experiments investigating the antioxidant properties of melanin will be analyzed.
The analysis will serve to establish an indirect connection between melanin and degenerative
disease prevention.
 Operational Definitions
● Lower Risk→ at least 10% decrease in the level of unstable free radicals in the
body.

Logistical Considerations

This product requires access a website domain and professional study reports. The
expense of the project is low. It does not require one to purchase any materials, unless he or she
would like to access a restricted report. Permission may be required from the publishers of the
study used in the meta-analysis before the final product is shared.

Timeline

February 2nd Outline and Introduction

February 13th Revise Research Proposal

February Conference @ 12:30 pm

February 14th Revise Research Proposal

February 15th Roman Numeral 1

February 17th Find sources to strengthen weak spots in the

Research Paper and work on Roman
Numeral 2

February 18th Work on Roman Numeral 2

February 20th Work on Roman Numeral 2 and Edit the first

three body paragraphs

February 23rd Roman Numeral 2; Edit first three body

paragraphs

February 24th Work on Roman Numeral 3

February 25th Work on Roman Numeral 3; Find an

individual to interview

February 26th Work on Roman Numeral 3; Find an

individual to interview

February 28th Form a list of studies to use for meta-

 analysis; Edit Roman Numeral 2

March 2nd Form a list of studies to use for meta-

analysis; Conduct interview

March 3rd Work on Conclusion

March 4th Work on Conclusion; Edit Roman Numeral

3rd

March 5th Work on Conclusion

March 7th Conclusion due

March 9th Work on Full Draft; edit Conclusion

March 11th Work on Full Draft; Edit Conclusion

March 12th Work on Full Draft

March 14th First Full Draft for Peer Edit

March 15th Begin Editing Partner’s Paper

March 26th March Conferences/ Turn in Third Quarter

Literature Review

March 28th Finish reviewing Research Proposal and

Timeline

March 29th Turn in final Research Proposal and Timeline

March 30th Develop plan for meta-analysis and final

product

March 31st Revise Research Paper and get a third

opinion (optional)

April 3rd Add powerpoint and research paper to online

portfolio

April 5th Find at least one source to use for meta-

analysis; Read, annotate, and analyze

April 7th Find second source for meta- analysis; Read,

annotate, and analyze

April 9th Find third source for meta- analysis; Read,

annotate, and analyze
April 11th 1. Find fourth source for meta- analysis;
Read, annotate, and analyze
2. Compile analyses and study evidence
onto one sheet

April 12th 1. Update online portfolio; Add pictures

and revise research/ hypothesis
2. Finish overall analysis for all four
sources

April 13th Turn in Data Collection and Analysis

April 17th Write Abstract for Synthesis Paper

April 19th Write Ch. 3 and Ch. 4 of Synthesis Paper

April 20th 1. Begin researching how to write a

government proposal
2. Complete Ch. 5 (Discussion and
Conclusion) of the Synthesis Paper

April 22nd Begin drafting a design for the new MyPlate

with the added section

April 25th 1. Finish draft and ask for feedback on

design
2. Complete Synthesis Paper Appendix
and References sheet

April 30th Finish writing government proposal

May 1st Turn in proposal draft for feedback

May 5th Final Synthesis Paper Due

Approval
Student Signature: __________________________ Date: ______________
G/T Resource Teacher Signature: _______________________ Date: ________
Mentor/Advisor Signature: ____________________________ Date: ________