Neuroscience

Why did you choose Lake Forest College?

I was interested in the Liberal arts approach to education at the college. I also felt that the staff and faculty were really committed to student’s success and wellbeing. I was excited by its proximity to a big city which I knew would present several opportunities. The fact that it is also a small college and the advertised class sizes meant I could easily access professors and possibly more meaningful classroom experiences.

What attracted you to the Neuroscience major?

I initially wanted to study psychology but after I took the Biology 130 class with Dr. DebBurman, I knew wanted more, especially with the focus on the biological basis of behavior. I was fascinated by the interdisciplinary nature of the major, especially because I have a wide range of interests. The classes offered are also unique and I enjoyed participating in courses like literature and medicine.

What are your career goals and how did Lake Forest College helping you arrive at and achieve these goals?

My goal is to work in global health in some capacity. I would like to do research geared towards understanding disease emergence, transmission and control with the goal of improving the quality of health care for people that have been excluded from receiving such services as well as improving health policies. Lake Forest College has been instrumental in equipping me with the necessary skills to build a solid foundation for graduate school. This has been through initiatives like the Richter program that allowed me to conduct research as an undergraduate and the Health Professions Program (HPP) that exposed me to a plethora of health pathways, distinctive classes and professionals who have inspired my dreams.

How have the opportunities in college helped shape your college experience?

I have had a unique experience especially because I had the opportunity to work in a lab very early on. I learnt a lot of things about research from my colleagues and principal advisor, Dr. Barbosa. Working as an undergraduate research assistant presented a lot of opportunities like

attending international research conferences to present and participating in college symposium events. My weekly co-curriculars allowed me to interact with so many different people from a wide array of backgrounds which definitely enriched my experience. I believe I have been able to make life-long friends from such experiences.

What are one or more distinctive experiences in your major that make it stand out?

I enjoyed the different initiatives the major took to educate the community about science. As a freshman, I had to learn how to read primary research articles and I know that not all scientific work is straightforward or easy for just anyone to understand. However, I believe in making it accessible to everyone who might be interested and events like Brain Awareness Week were aimed at doing just that. It’s always great seeing the student center windows painted with cool facts and information, and the poster presentations to hear what different students are doing. K-6 was another outreach event that I really liked. We got to teach young students about the brain for an afternoon.

What advice would you give to a high school student looking to pursue neuroscience and is considering Lake Forest College?

I would tell them to go ahead and start conversations with faculty members and students to discuss their interests. I think the college is invested in providing a wholesome educative experience for all majors and the faculty members are impressively knowledgeable and always willing to help. The courses are designed to help you succeed while giving you a unique learning experience and your advisors will do a good job guiding you and getting you ready for the future you want!