Neuroscience Students
Congratulations to the Neuroscience graduates of 2009!
Back row: Matthew Chroust (honorary member), Amy Veerkamp, Lindsey TeBrake, Alex Prieve, Nathan Heggem, Henry Boeh, Brandon Baartman
Front row: Lindsay Werder, Mollie Kelly, Katie Halvorson, Asitha Jayawardena, Christine Dornbusch, Emma Espel, Lor Moua
Not in picture: Ross Puffer
Meet our 2009 Neuroscience Minors!
Brandon Baartman ‘09
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: Researched with Dr. Heather Wenk for two years investigating the mechanism of ischemic pain transduction in primary afferent neurons, two summer undergraduate research fellowships at the Mayo Clinic in physiology and biomedical engineering, coauthored a manuscript with Dr. Patricia Costello on semantic and subword priming which was published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, and shared research at 17 different conferences and symposia over the course of 4 years at Gustavus.
Future Plans: Attending Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC and considering ophthalmology as a potential career choice.
Henry Boeh ‘09
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Future Plans: Will attend PhD program in Clinical Psychology at Marquette University.
Christine Dornbusch, ‘09
Majors: Biology, Dance
Minor: Neuroscience
Future Plans: This summer I will work as a field manager with The Fund For The Public
Interest in Minneapolis, MN where I will canvass to promote grassroots support for clean energy. In September, I will start an AmeriCorps position with Admission Possible working with high school seniors on the process of applying for college.
Emma Espel ‘09
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/ Interests: Multiple research opportunities with the psychology department including an independent cross- cultural research study on happiness in the U.S. versus Chile, as well as a neuroscience research project on learning and the Stroop effect.
Future Plans: Attend a developmental psychology Ph.D. program at Denver University.
Katie Halvorson ‘09
Major: Biology
Minors: Neuroscience, Spanish
I was hooked on neuroscience my first semester at Gustavus after taking a First-Term Seminar on the brain with Dr. Ferragamo. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Neuroscience Program—from my time in the research lab to learning about current trends in the field in the seminar courses. I feel the curriculum has been a key part of my academic development and will greatly appreciate the skills and science I’ve learned as I enter my first year of medical school at Creighton University next fall.
Nathan Heggem, ‘09
Major: Biology
Minors: Neuroscience, Spanish
Experience/ Interests: “I love the neuroscience program because it’s truly interdisciplinary.” Has conducted research on auditory perception at the University of MN and at Gustavus.
Future plans: Americorps volunteer position with the Medicare Rights Center in New York City.
Asitha Jayawardena ‘09
Major: Biology
Minors: Neuroscience, Peace Studies
Experience/ Interests: Extensively researched the auditory system in both frogs and cockroaches, and worked at the University of Iowa studying the effects of amylin on the sympathetic nervous system in mice.
Future Plans: Teaching secondary science in the Twin Cities through the Teach for America Program or pursuing an MD/MPH at the University of Iowa
Mollie Kelly '09
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Info: Officer for Tribeta-a biological honor society here at Gustavus, was involved in
the Wellness program, played basketball for two years, and went on a Habitat for Humanity spring break work trip.
Future Plans: Attend a radiation therapy program at Argosy University in Eagan, MN.
Lor Moua ‘09
Major: Psychology Minor: Neuroscience
Future Plans: Will be working in a neuroscience research lab at Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Farm this summer
Alex Prieve ‘09
Major: Psychology
Minors: Neuroscience, Biology
Experience/ Interests: Has been a runner at GAC for four years participating in cross country and track.
Future Plans: Attend a Human Resources and Industrial Relations graduate program at the University of Minnesota.
Ross Puffer '09
Major: Biology and Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Plans: Ross, who is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, will be attending Mayo Medical school this autumn, and upon completion will serve as an Army doctor.
Lindsey TeBrake '09
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Info: Gustie Greeters, Track and Field, President of TriBeta Biological
Honor Society, and a Habitat for Humanity spring break work trip.
Future Plans: Spend a year working and gaining experience/applying for Physician's Assistant school. Then, attend P.A. school beginning next May.
Lindsay Werder ‘09
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: Amazing experience as a summer internship in neuro clinical division of Medtronic planning studies for devices to get FDA approval, working with patients and even cadavers! Interested in epilepsy, alzheimer’s, and other movement disorders.
Future plans: Get a job in the medical field until going to grad school.