Helena Blumenau '23
Class Year
2023
Area(s) of Study
Neuroscience and Psychology
Hometown
Highland Park, IL
Co-curricular
Women’s Swim Team, Nu Rho Psi, Chi Alpha Sigma, Psi Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Research Assistant
Achievements
I broke several school records for swimming, I was awarded the Robert Glassman Family Endowed Scholarship, Dean’s list, I was published on 5 different manuscripts, I was awarded the best poster prize at one of the three conferences I had research presented at, and I was awarded the Robert B. Glassman Prize in Psychology and Neuroscience for my participation in research.
Current Job
Research Assistant at RFUMS in a laboratory that looks at inflammatory biomarkers related to smoking menthol cigarettes.
Why did you choose Lake Forest College?
I actually transferred to Lake Forest College from a very large school. What drew me to the school in particular were the smaller class sizes and close relationships you can form with your professors. I also was excited about the prospect of getting involved in extracurricular activities.
What attracted you to the Neuroscience major?
I have always been interested in biology and psychology, and it allowed me to combine the two. As an interdisciplinary major, I knew that I would get a wide range of hands-on experiences, between research and laboratory work for my classes
What are your career goals and how did Lake Forest College help you arrive at and achieve these goals?
I actually came into Lake Forest College with a different set of career goals. I was originally set on going into medicine, but through my research experiences provided from the school, I realized that I was very passionate about research, and it was a better career fit for me. Lake Forest has provided me with many opportunities to get involved in outside research, and has guided me through the process of pursuing research after undergrad.
How have the opportunities in college helped shape your college experience?
I can say that I had a very full college experience. I have loved every single one of my classes at Lake Forest, and they have allowed me to explore various academic interests. Being part of the Neuroscience Program has also given me the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, and form close relationships that brought joy into my overall college experience. Taking part in extracurricular clubs and honor societies, being a student-athlete and participating in research are what made my college experience individually tailored to my own interests, and I can genuinely say that there wasn’t anything more I would have wanted from a college experience.
What are one or more distinctive experiences in your major that make it stand out?
One particular experience that I enjoyed was being able to work with rats in a lab for one of my neuroscience courses. We were able to see the effects of nicotine on rats, and got valuable, hands-on experience working with animals. This was valuable for me in several different ways, as I was able to practice manuscript writing, work with live animals, and it helped me to shape my personal research interests as well.
What advice would you give to a high school student looking to pursue neuroscience and is considering Lake Forest College?
I would highly recommend the Neuroscience Program at Lake Forest College to any incoming high school student. It’s a major that allows you to explore a wide range of career options, so even if you are unsure if you want to pursue neuroscience specifically, it will still give you the skills you need to take into any other career field. It’s a fun major with a huge selection of electives, which allows you to explore more niche topics related to the brain. For example, one of my favorite neuroscience electives was Music and the Mind, it was a unique class that I genuinely loved attending.