91����

Three other 91���� students presented their research as well:

Sarah Chiren ’16, a senior majoring in Neuroscience with a politics minor,  presented her senior research on traumatic brain injury that she conducted with at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Sarah is planning for MD studies after graduation.
 

Charles Alvarado ’16, a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Education, presented his senior research on Parkinson’s disease conducted in Prof. DebBurman’s lab, for which he had previously won the First Prize at the 2014 Chicago Pharmacology conference. His co-authors were 91���� students and graduates Keith Solvang ’11, Katrina Campbell ’14, Saul Bello Rojas ’16, Alexandra Roman ’16, Sarah Chiren ’16, Jothis James ’16, Peyton Schrag ’17, Logan Graham ’17, Paul Jones ’17, and Yuliya Zayats ’18. Charles is planning to pursue a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree, after which he hopes to become a high school science teacher.

Kayla Huber ’16,  a senior majoring in Neuroscience with an Economics minor,  presented on the growth of Neuroscience Program at the college, where she discussed the role of students like herself in integrating the curriculum with public education, K-5 outreach, and peer leadership. Her co-authors were other neuroscience student leaders Sarah Chiren ’16, Saul Bello Rojas ’16, Alexandra Roman ’16, Khadijah Hamid ’16, Logan Graham ’17, and Peyton Schrag ’17. Kayla is planning for graduate studies in social policy after graduation.

At her poster, Huber met with many professors who are interested in either establishing a neuroscience program or are in the process of doing so at their own institutions. She shares, “I have been asked many times how we have made our Brain Awareness Week so expansive, which gives me the opportunity to speak about interdisciplinary collaborations, the power of student run organizations, and 91����’s emphasis on public presentation of knowledge. The most common response I get from visitors is, “Wow, you’ve done a lot.” For Kayla, the program distinguishes itself from those at other institutions by what it demands, and that helped her become the well-rounded student she is today.  In her words, “It demands not just memorization of facts, but extracurricular leadership, public presentation, and practical application of knowledge.”

CSfN hosts the largest Midwest brain meeting every year and more than 400 scientists and students attended this year. 91���� is a sponsor of this meeting and its neuroscience program faculty have a long history of service and leadership with the professional society, which is composed of academic and industry-based scientists who are interested in the field of neuroscience. 

Over fifty neuroscience, biology and psychology students from the College, including several First-Year students, attended this meeting. They were accompanied by Professors Shubhik DebBurman,  Naomi Wentworth, Jean-Marie Maddux and Dan Curlik. Not only did students attend several scientific sessions featuring world famous scientists, they also participated in “diversity in careers” lunch discussions, scientific mentoring panels, and brain awareness teaching workshops.

Elisa Mrackova ’19, a First-Year student planning for Neuroscience and Art History majors, was just selected as a Richter Scholar. She will conduct neuroscience research at the college this summer. She states, “Currently, I am enrolled in a biology course that focuses on the brain plasticity and as a part of my course I was required to attend the CSfN meeting. Nevertheless, the participation in the conference gave me much more than just an extra credit for my Biology class. I was able to listen to many inspiring presentations about the most recent research in the field of neuroscience moreover, it allowed me to meet with many of the scientists and listen to inspiring stories about their career paths.  I believe that as a science major I will be required to improve my presentation skills and CSfN meeting not only offered me a peek into the current research but also helped me to learn more about the scientific presentation skills so necessary for a science major freshmen like me.”

Paul Jones ’18, a sophomore Neuroscience and Chemistry major, did Parkinson’s disease research last year as a Richter Scholar. He adds, “These meetings show undergraduates both how research is presented and performed and some of the latest developments in neuroscience. This unique experience cannot really be emulated in the classroom. Personally, attending the meeting greatly increased my motivation to continue doing research. At the poster session, I was able to talk to a researcher about the research I plan to do. He heard about the cases in Guam that related to BMAA and thought that the research I plan to do relating it to Parkinson’s disease was interesting. It proved to me that the research I will do will be meaningful and important”. 

The following 91���� students have won awards at the conference since 2003:

2015
Josephine Masandika ’16, 2nd Prize, is planning to pursue a PhD  degree after graduation.
Alexandra Roman ’16, 3rd Prize, is planning to pursue a MD degree after graduation.
2014
Maiwase Tembo ’15, 3rd Prize, PhD student in life sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.

2013
Ashley Reich ’13, 2nd Prize, is planning for graduate school and is currently working as a scientist with Tyson Foods.
Natalie Kukulka ’13, 3rd Prize, MD student at the University of Missouri (Columbia).

2012
Sydni Cole ’12, 1st Prize, MD/PhD student at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.

2011
Madhavi Senagolage ’12, 2nd Prize, PhD candidate in biology at Northwestern University.

2010
Derek Atchley ’10, 3rd Prize, PhD candidate in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience at Wayne State University.

2009
Michael Fiske ’10, 1st Prize, PhD student in neuroscience at Northwestern University.

Ray Choi ’09, 3rd Prize, completed his MD from University of Colorado and is an anestheiology resident at Rush Presbyterian Hospital.

2008
Stephanie Valtierra ’08, 2nd Prize, PhD candidate in neuroscience at Northwestern University.

Alexandra Ayala ’09, Honorable Mention, is a math and science teacher for Teach for America.

2007
Michael White ’07, 2nd Prize, MD 2012, is completing his neurology residency at Washington University, and will begin a neuro-oncology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School’s Dana Farber Cancer Center.

2006
Michael Zorniak ’07, 3rd Prize, PhD in neuroscience at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and current Medical Liaison with Teva Pharmaceuticals.

2005
Arun Paul ’05, 1st Prize, MD 2012/PhD 2010, RFUMS (oncology residency at Wayne State).

David Mann ’05, 3rd Prize, MD (2009, Ross), is now a physician in the Chicago area.

2004
Isaac Holmes ’05, 1st Prize, MD (2009) and Residency at Rush Medical College; currently physician at Bellevue Hospital (New York).

2003
Jillian Hibler ’04, 2nd Prize, DVM 2007, Washington State University.

Nijee Sharma ’04, co-3rd prize, MD (2011/PhD 2009) Loyola; MD residency in neurology at University of California Davis; Neurology Fellow at University of California San Francisco).

Brandon Johnson ’03, co-3rd prize, PhD (received 2010) and Postdoctoral fellowship, Stanford University; Founder and Director of Cognitive Advantage (Palo Alto, CA).