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“I majored in Neuroscience, with minors in Psychology and Pre-Health, at Nova Southeastern University. My overall goal is to better understand how different environmental and lifestyle factors can influence brain health and contribute to the development of neurological diseases. During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to join the lab of Dr. Lisa Robison at NSU, where we used mouse models to study how diet and exercise can influence brain health and the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Through this experience, I developed a strong interest in researching mechanisms that impact disease risk and identifying ways to promote long-term brain health.

I was drawn to the �鶹Ů�� Neuroscience Graduate Program because of its interdisciplinary and collaborative partnership with the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, as well as the wide range of faculty research interests that align with my own. I learned about the program while exploring Ph.D. programs with strong research emphases on lifestyle factors and neurodegenerative diseases. The program’s collaborative research environment and diverse faculty expertise strongly align with my academic and professional goals of becoming a well-rounded neuroscience researcher. “

“In my undergraduate program I worked in a lab that examined neurodevelopmental differences between wildtype and transgenic mouse models of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, both behaviorally and molecularly.

My overall goal is to contribute to the advancement of neuroscience research while maintaining a path in neurodevelopmental research with topics of interest expanding into the areas of maladaptive stress and addiction.

I was initially drawn to the NGP after speaking with �鶹Ů�� faculty at the Society for Neuroscience conference. I was drawn to the diversity of research and institutional partnerships that allow access to state-of-the-art equipment and research. Once I interviewed, I could feel that the NGP community was something that I wanted to be a part of! “

“I majored in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology at Indiana University Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI). My most recent project has been with Dr. Oberlin at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where I’ve been investigating the efficacy of a virtual reality intervention aimed at increasing abstinence in subjects recovering from substance use disorders. In this intervention, subjects interact with two future versions of themselves, age-progressed 15 years–one still suffering from addiction, and another who has remained in recovery, visibly healthier. Inspired by promising pilot study results, I have been exploring how physiological responses throughout this paradigm might predict reduced impulsivity post-intervention, as well as other psychological measures implicated in improved treatment outcomes.

Moving forward, I am most interested in understanding the neural bases of decision-making, meta-awareness, perception, and other higher-order cognitive tasks–how these shape the human experience, what they reveal about the nature of our consciousness, and how some of these mechanisms might be leveraged in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. I was drawn to the Neuroscience Graduate Program at �鶹Ů�� for its diverse range of research opportunities that appealed to the whole spectrum of my interests. The Center for the Future of AI, Mind, and Society also resonated with my passion for the integration of neuroscience with philosophy, as I believe no field of science is complete without a healthy skepticism of the basic assumptions underlying existing frameworks of research. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program and grow my skills as a scientist!”

”I decided to stay at my home institution as they offer many opportunities to grow in the discipline, I value the most. In participating in lab rotations, I believe I will be able to learn new techniques I would not normally retain from a direct admissions lab.

During my undergraduate studies, I participated in Dr. Summer Sheremata’s “Visual Perceptions and Memory” lab, where I conducted tasks pertaining to non-language stimuli in relation to visual crowding. Results of this project showed that there was a crowding effect more evident in the left visual field than the right. Following this, I initiated my own independent research project utilizing language-related stimuli to compare results between both projects. This research allows for learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, to be assessed through a simple visual attention processing approach rather than a language processing approach.

In attending �鶹Ů��’s NGP, I aim to explore the interdisciplinary nature that the program has to offer and revel in it. I am eager to pursue research in this program and broaden my knowledge in neuroscience as a whole.

"I majored in Psychological Science at Austin Peay State University. My overall goal is to better understand the neural and psychological mechanisms that underlie cognition, behavior, and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly how biological and environmental factors interact to influence brain health and functioning.

In my undergraduate program, I worked in research labs focused on psychology and animal behavior research. My experiences included studying emotional affect, sleep, neuropsychological functioning, and avian behavioral models, which strengthened my interest in translational neuroscience research and the relationship between brain function and behavior.

I was drawn to the NGP because of its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to neuroscience research, as well as the diversity of faculty interests within the program. I chose �鶹Ů�� because of the welcoming environment, supportive faculty, and the opportunity of explore different areas of neuroscience through lab rotations before selecting a mentor."

“I majored in Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science at Wayne State University. My overall goal is to bridge the gap between medical science and technology through a focus on biotechnology—specifically, by refining computational or neuroimaging methods to detect and diagnose neurodegenerative disorders. During my undergraduate program in the heart of Detroit, I spent three years in the Insolera Lab. Working with Dr. Ryan Insolera, we investigated how defects in the autophagy pathway impact neuronal health in Drosophila. Using genetic and molecular techniques, we modeled traits of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to understand how manipulating specific autophagy genes affects the fly's phenotype.

I was drawn to �鶹Ů��'s Neuroscience Graduate Program because of its state-of-the-art imaging resources and the immense diversity of research being conducted by its PIs. This program provides endless possibilities to blend computational data and neuroscience, allowing me to tailor my rotations across imaging, data science, or cellular biology. Finally, while I will always love Midwest hospitality, I certainly couldn't say no to South Florida's beautiful weather and world-class research facilities.”

“At Florida State University, I majored in Behavioral Neuroscience and Business Management with a minor in Chemistry. My overall goal is to better understand how neural systems influence behavior, motivation, and decision-making, particularly in the context of neurobiological disorders. In my undergraduate program, I worked in the Spector Lab, where I assisted in projects using rodent behavioral models, lickometry, and pharmacological manipulation to examine how chronic semaglutide exposure alters ingestive behavior and reward-related processes.

I was drawn to the NGP because of its collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, as well as the opportunity to complete lab rotations before selecting a mentor. I was especially attracted to the program’s connection with the Max Planck institute. I chose the program because I felt it would provide an excellent environment to grow as a researcher and explore a wide range of neuroscience topics before committing to a specific area of study.”

After completing my B.S. in Neuroscience at the College of William & Mary, I went on to receive a M.S. in Biochemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University in the lab of Dr. Carmen Sato-Bigbee. Here I explored the role of the endogenous peptide nociceptin on oligodendrocyte development and how this peptide could be involved in neurodegenerative diseases. At �鶹Ů��, I am hoping to continue to focus on neurodegenerative research, particularly areas relating to dementias.

I was drawn to the NGP by the multitude of research opportunities available to continue exploring my interests. I am also excited by the many outreach initiatives and hope to become involved with the surrounding community!

“My overall goal is to contribute meaningfully to Alzheimer's disease research through the use of animal models and translational neuroscience approaches.

During my undergraduate studies, I completed an honors thesis in the laboratory of Drs. Bruce and Galizio using Sprague-Dawley rats to investigate the effects of multiple comparison stimuli in a three-dimensional span task as a measure of working memory, including the generalization of learned behaviors to novel stimuli. This research strengthened my skills in behavioral experimentation, data collection, and analysis. I also worked in the laboratory of Dr. Todd Peterson, where I assisted with tracking the progression of photothrombotic-induced stroke in mice treated with a GLP-1 receptor agonist using cryosectioning and immunohistochemical techniques.

I was drawn to the Neuroscience Graduate Program because of the strong overlap between my research interests and those of the faculty, the collaborative and welcoming environment, and the access to advanced research technologies. I am particularly excited by the program's interdisciplinary approach, which provides opportunities to integrate perspectives from multiple areas of neuroscience to strengthen future research.”

“My overall goal is to pursue a career in medical research, with a particular interest in understanding the biological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and how stress influences relapse vulnerability.

In my undergraduate program, I worked in a research lab studying retinal development and degeneration. There, I built a strong foundation in wet-lab techniques, including tissue processing, immunostaining, and imaging.

I was drawn to the NGP for its wide range of research opportunities and interdisciplinary approach to neuroscience. I look forward to exploring the different areas of research while working with faculty whose interests align with my own."

“I majored in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Spanish at Tulane University. During my undergraduate program, I worked in Dr. Galazo's lab, where I assisted with her ZMIZ1 project. This work mainly focused on the cerebral cortex, specifically developmental mechanisms and the cortical neurons they create, as well as the connections these neurons form between each other and their resulting activity. The research I conducted focused on how disruptions to these developmental mechanisms (at the genetic and cellular levels) lead to dysfunction in pathologies. The ZMIZ1 project analyzes the effects of the Zmiz1 gene in neurodevelopmental disorders by conducting developmental and motor assessments with mice. It was in this lab where I developed my passion for behavioral testing and analysis. Through this lab, I gained numerous wet lab and data analysis skills.

My research interests focus on animal models of disease. My hope is to partake in translational research that can eventually be used for the betterment of humans that struggle with neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric conditions.

I was drawn to the NGP for the different research areas, but specifically because of its neurobehavior core, which aligns with the research I hope to pursue. NGP has access to new technology and advanced behavioral techniques. I was interested in the community outreach opportunity through MobileMinds, which brings STEM education to children in schools. I am excited to work in a collaborative environment amongst such expert faculty.”

"I am researching the development and application of genetically encoded glutamate sensors in the labs of Dr. Lin Tian and Dr. Randy Blakely. In the Tian lab, I am using techniques in molecular and cellular biology to optimize a glutamate sensor for in vivo applications. I aim to use this sensor in the Blakely lab to investigate glutamate dynamics between neurons and astrocytes in mice, and how clearance is disrupted in a diseased state.

I majored in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida, where I studied oxidative stress in neural progenitor cells. After graduating from UCF, I joined Dr. Matthew Disney’s lab as a postbaccalaureate fellow at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, where I investigated chemical probing of a structured RNA in the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

I was attracted to �鶹Ů�� because of the breadth of Neuroscience research areas including molecular, behavioral, and computational labs. During my rotation in the Blakely lab, I conducted metabolic assays in c. elegans to explore the interplay between neurons and glia. In the Toll lab, I applied confocal microscopy and mouse behavior analysis to study IL-1 and its role in pain. My rotation in the Tian lab built on my experience in molecular biology to optimize a genetically encoded glutamate sensor."

"In the lab of Dr. Gregg Fields, I will be investigating the function of protease MT5-MMP and its products in Alzheimer's disease. We are also interested in using our cellular and mouse models to explore the role of MT5-MMP's binding partner HTRA1 in neurodegenerative disease.

Before I started in �鶹Ů��'s NGP, I studied as an undergraduate at UC Davis. I majored in cell biology and volunteered in Dr. Neil Hunter's lab to help study how homologous recombination is modulated during meiosis. After graduation, I worked as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Fred Gage at the Salk Institute to support research characterizing the molecular signature of memory in the dentate gyrus. I wanted to continue investigating memory as well as its dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease in a PhD program.

I was attracted to the NGP program because of the fascinating research conducted by faculty in the program, the emphasis on mentoring, and the collaborative campus environment. In my first year, my rotations in the labs of Dr. Henriette van Praag, Dr. Vidhya Rangaraju, and Dr. Gregg Fields were all valuable and positive experiences."

"I am currently doing research under Dr. Nancy Jones looking at EEG and behavioral responses in children 6-24 months old. We are investigating reactions to novel stimuli and how these responses change over development. This work has the potential to uncover predictive measures of later anxiety, allowing early interventions to target children who will need more support.

I majored in Biopsychology/Neuroscience at New College of Florida. As an undergraduate, I investigated white matter pathways in cetaceans (dolphins and whales). By examining the brains of multiple cetacean species, patterns between observable social behaviors and the underlying neural connectivity supporting them can be revealed, allowing us to better understand the neural bases of social complexity.

The neuroscience program at �鶹Ů�� appealed to me because of its thoroughly interdisciplinary nature. I was attracted by the collaborative environment and access to faculty and resources across multiple interconnected disciplines of neuroscience. In my first year I rotated in the labs of Dr. Alan Kersten, Dr. Erik Duboue, and Dr. Nancy Jones. This allowed me to explore my interests from different perspectives before choosing the lab I will complete my dissertation in."

"I am pursuing my research under the mentorship of Dr. Gregg Fields, focusing on the enzyme profile of MT5-MMP (Membrane-Type 5 Matrix Metalloproteinase), identifying its potential substrates to map their cleavage sites, and examining how post-translational modifications affect enzymatic activity. Through this research, I am aiming to provide insights into the functional role of MT5-MMP in the Amyloid-η (Aη) pathway, which has been implicated in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

I received a B.S. in Psychology at East Tennessee State University where I had the opportunity to conduct research in Dr. Jerry Deehan's Addictions of Pharmacology lab on various projects relating to adolescent alcohol use disorder, flavored conditioned cues associated with alcohol in adulthood, associative learning model, and overall behavioral neuropharmacology. My current research focus pertains to the molecular and cellular aspect of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease by manipulating glial cells.

I was attracted to the NGP at �鶹Ů�� due to its connections with Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, allowing exemplary resources that could benefit students. I had the privilege of rotating in the labs of Dr. Gregg Fields, Dr. Ning Quan, and Dr. Sarah Stern. There are a vast number of neuroscience researchers within the NGP and MPFI that utilize the interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to science, which encouraged me apply and join the program."

"Under the guidance of Dr. Tanja Godenschwege, I will be investigating the role of Attractin (ATRN), a transmembrane protein involved in endolysosomal degradation of inhibitory G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), within the insulin signaling pathway in Drosophila. Dysregulation of this critical pathway, which governs metabolism and stress responses, can contribute to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases.

I earned my degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Florida International University, where I conducted behavioral experiments involving odor-sequence memory tasks in rats as well as investigated autophagy within manganese treated primary astrocytes and microglia. This sparked my interest in the cellular and molecular pathways underlying neurodegenerative diseases.

I chose �鶹Ů��’s Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP) for its collaborative environment with Max Planck Institute and Scripps which provides a multidisciplinary research opportunities and a strong scientific community. I rotated with Dr. Erik Duboue, Dr. Tanja Godenschwege, and Dr. Ning Quan where I gained a more comprehensive understanding of the interconnected systems supporting the brain."

"I am currently pursuing my research in Dr. Randy Blakely’s lab. I am investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying a rare dopamine transporter mutation, DATVal599. This rare mutation was identified in humans who were diagnosed with ASD, Bipolar disorder, and ADHD, inspiring the lab to develop a DATVal599 knock-in mouse model. My research aims to use both in vivo and in vitro approaches on this model to advance further pharmacological and behavioral therapies for disorders characterized by dysregulated dopamine homeostasis.

I received my B.S. in neuroscience at Indiana University. During my undergraduate degree, I completed an honors thesis that studied the role of endocannabinoid signaling in the cerebellum. Specifically, how reduced DAGLA in the cerebellum can result in ASD phenotypes.

I was drawn to the NGP at �鶹Ů�� because of the wide variety of cutting-edge research conducted across multiple institutions. I appreciate the opportunity to conduct rotations across three different labs to find the best lab to suit me. Many of the labs in the NGP align with my research interests and use techniques that I am eager to perform."

"I am currently pursuing my research with Dr. Laura Fontenas. Using zebrafish as a model organism, I am investigating glial migration at the interface of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system to elucidate potential demyelinating pathologies and gain a better understanding of myelination mechanisms. Studying glia fascinates me, as they are not well understood, but are implicated in numerous neuropathologies. Specifically, my motivation lies in exploring the medical applications of glia and neuroscience, delving into therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.

I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate and then as a post-baccalaureate, I worked as a research technologist in the labs of Drs. Anne Ruffing and Chuck Smallwood at Sandia National Laboratories. Here, I used genetic engineering and machine learning based approaches to study and develop energy efficient biofuels.

�鶹Ů��'s NGP excited me because of the compelling research on its campuses, and I knew I wanted to join an interdisciplinary program with lab rotations. In my first year of the NGP, I rotated in the labs of Dr. Gregg Fields, Dr. Randy Blakely, and Dr. Laura Fontenas. In particular, the NGP stood out for its highly collaborative campus located within a growing neuroscience hub.”

”As an undergraduate, I majored in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience at Florida State University. During my time there, I assisted with several different research projects. The first project was looking into the effects that the parietal cortex and anterior thalamic nuclei have on connecting egocentric action to allocentric orientation toward a goal location in the environment. In the same lab, I assisted as well with looking at the coordination and memory of Alzheimer's versus sham rats. My interests include neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, sleep and memory, and machine learning.

The Ph.D. Neuroscience program at �鶹Ů�� attracted me with its outstanding faculty, cutting-edge research, and collaboration with the Max Planck Institute. I was particularly excited about the opportunity to rotate through different labs and learn new techniques during my first year in the program. I had the pleasure of rotating with Dr. Elan Barenholtz, Dr. Rodrigo Pena, and Dr. William Hahn, each of whom provided valuable insights and guidance.

"I am now pursuing my research with Dr. Rodrigo Pena, focusing on modeling the interplay between hippocampal place cells, parvalbumin interneurons, and theta and gamma rhythms which are responsible for encoding and retrieval of spatial memories, and enhancing plasticity within the hippocampus, respectively. Understanding the role of place cells has far-reaching implications, including developing novel strategies for treating neurological disorders affecting spatial navigation and memory, such as Alzheimer's Disease and age-related cognitive decline.

“Under the mentorship of Dr. Jianning Wei, I will be elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of Huntington's Disease. The goal of my research is to aid in the discovery of therapeutic targets and translate scientific insights into clinical applications to benefit patient outcomes. We aim to do so by using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) as a model to investigate deviations in protein translation and synthesis of this complex disease.

I received my BS in Behavioral Neuroscience from The University of Kansas. Throughout this time, I had the privilege to work in the laboratory of Dr. Zijun Wang, on a variety of projects relating to drug addiction and substance use disorder. Employing a wide range of neuroscience techniques such as whole brain imaging, microscopy, behavioral paradigms, and biochemical assays our work focused on discovering novel therapeutic targets for Opioid Substance Use Disorder. My current research interests are centered on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Huntington’s disease; a rare, but fatal neurodegenerative disease comprised of progressive degeneration of Medium Spiny Neurons in the Basal Ganglia.

I was attracted to the NGP at �鶹Ů�� because of its unique partnership with Max Planck as well as the ability to conduct research rotations during the first year with Dr. Greg Macleod, Dr. Alan Kersten, and Dr. Jianning Wei. During these rotations I was able to gain first-hand experience of lab environments and mentorship style in addition to learning a variety of techniques such as Calcium Imaging, Biochemical Assays, and Next Generation Sequencing.

"Under the mentorship of Dr. Rodrigo Pena, I am developing a novel framework for creating computational models of neuronal bioenergetics to study the role of bioenergetics in influencing neural morphology and activity. The framework uses insights from neuroscience and thermodynamics to organize existing computational models into a single cell model that accurately reflects bioenergetic constraints. This framework will be used to understand how bioenergetic dysfunction leads to cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.

More generally, I am interested in the problem of “Open-Ended Evolution”, that is, how to create a computer program that, like our universe, starts simple and grows indefinitely complex. Towards that end I use constructor theory to create thermodynamic models of evolutionary processes to gain insight into the precise physical requirements for open-ended evolution.”

"I was excited that I was able to experience three different labs in my rotations with Dr. Wen Shen, Dr. Jang (John) Wu, and Dr. Howard Prentice in my first year in the NGP. I am particularly interested in Neurophysiology, which studies the nervous system function. To be more specific, I am fascinated with studying synapses, which assist in neural communication, and neuroplasticity, concerning the change or reorganization of neural networks. I am also interested in the morphology of neurons, connecting their function to how they are structured. Currently, I am being mentored by Dr. Wen Shen while researching neurons in the mouse retina. Dr. Shen has been assisting me on using electrophysiology techniques, such as voltage clamp and patch-clamp, to study these retinal cells. My goal is to study the neural mechanism of a new subtype of neurons in the mouse retina that expresses the receptor tyrosine kinase by using Cre techniques and intravitreal injections of AAV-GFP to differentiate neuron morphology and different drugs to identify their function and synaptic activity.

I was attracted to the Ph.D. Neuroscience programs because of the ability to have lab rotations. I believe that with these rotations I will gain a lot of research experience and be able to learn new techniques that might assist in my research. In addition to that, I am excited to be part of the �鶹Ů�� Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute community and participate in the growth of Neuroscience research. I hope you will consider being part of our program, and I am looking forward to the future neuroscientists that will join our community."

“I am researching contralateral processing biases in working memory and attention. I am interested in understanding how attentional processes are influenced by uncertainty in the visual environment under the mentorship of Dr. Summer Sheremata. The goal of my research is to further our current understanding of how hemispheric asymmetries permeate human cognitive processes and to provide increased awareness of contralateral processing biases in working memory and attention. The long-term objective of my research is to benefit current therapies for attention and visual processing disorders, specifically attention deficit disorder and dyslexia. During my first year with the NGP, I rotated in labs with Dr. Summer Sheremata, Dr. William Alexander, and Dr. Sammy Hong.

As I received my bachelor’s degree from �鶹Ů��, I already knew firsthand the amazing opportunities �鶹Ů�� offers and how the faculty truly care for their students. I was attracted to the Ph.D. Neuroscience program because of the impressive list of Brain Institute members from various scientific backgrounds. I chose the Neuroscience Graduate Program because of the amazing opportunities and nurturing educators that this interdisciplinary program offers.”

“I am a Neuroscience Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Ali Danesh’s Hearing, Tinnitus, and Balance Research Lab, where I investigate the clinical characteristics of inner ear sensory processing, hearing loss, and vestibular dysfunction, and their relationship to cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD). My work examines how hearing, balance, eye movement behavior, and multisensory cognitive processing interact to shape clinical presentation in PD. By identifying measurable sensory and cognitive markers, I aim to support the development of earlier detection strategies and future therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative populations.

My previous research experience includes molecular neuroscience work examining how peripheral factors released during exercise modulate adult neurogenesis and neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. After completing my undergraduate studies, I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Radius TBI of South Florida, where I studied oculomotor function as a potential non invasive biomarker of mild cognitive impairment. I was drawn to �鶹Ů��’s Neuroscience Graduate Program because of its strong multidisciplinary structure. The opportunity to rotate across molecular, systems, cognitive, and clinical neuroscience allowed me to explore the field broadly before focusing my doctoral work on multisensory clinical neuroscience and Parkinson’s disease. This integrative training environment continues to shape my goal of advancing early detection and interdisciplinary care for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.”