Neuroscience Students
Congratulations to the Neuroscience graduates of 2010!
Back row: Nicole Soiseth, Melissa Mackley, Erin Watt, Amanda Sati, Ashley Baumann, Nick Murray, Chad Kumm
Front row: Erin Eppler, Chelsea Zamora, Amanda Fisher, Mark Hartman, Cathryn Nelson
Meet our 2010 Neuroscience Minors!
Ashley Rose Baumann ‘10
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Future plans: This summer I will be working at HCMC Emergency Room with the physicians, participating in their research as well as their normal ER duties. I will also be continuing my work at Park Nicollet Medical Clinic in the cities as a Medical Receptionist. As for next year, I will be applying for medical mission trips with the Smile Network, Helps International and Doctors without Borders. If all goes well, I will be traveling to Peru, Guatemala and other locations. I am planning on applying for Medical School for the fall of 2012. I can't wait!
Mark Hartman ‘10
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: Psychopharmacology and neurotransmitter systems. Loves to run, participated in Cross-country and Track all 4 years.
Future Plans: Attend graduate school fall of 2011
Melissa Mackley ‘10
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Attended the ARVO conference, and will be doing research in visual sciences at University of Rochester this summer.
Nick Murray ‘10
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: I get incredibly excited seeing action potentials on an oscilloscope and hearing their characteristic "pop" over an audio amplifier. I am interested in the visual pathways, including their historical relevance (e.g. Mike’s example of David and Goliath’s potential pituitary tumor and resulting tunnel vision), and the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders. On the research side, at Gustavus, I worked with Dr. Heather Wenk for two years using tease-fiber electrophysiology to characterize the response properties of sensory neurons to: a non-histaminergic itch producing substance called Cowhage, noxious temperatures, and temperature agonists, which act on transient receptor potential channels. In Mayo Clinic’s department of Enteric Molecular Neuroscience, I conducted a preliminary investigation on serotonin receptors and their role in colonic permeability for a Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research.
Outside of the neuroscience sphere, I enjoy participating in triathlons (in hopes of one day outcompeting my dad…although I might have to give him a handicap as he gets older). I love the outdoors and will always make time for deep conversations.
Future Plans: I will be attending medical school this fall and am considering a career in neurology/ophthalmology that integrates working with underserved populations in Minnesota and abroad.
Cathryn Nelson ‘10
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: Lor Moua and I just presented the poster we created on our research with Jan Wotton and Nathan Heggem at the Midbrains Neuroscience Conference at Macalester College. Our experiment was titled "The Effects of Simulated Hearing Loss on Vowel Discrimination".
Nicole Soiseth ‘10
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
I have done some research with Dr. Margaret Bloch-Qazi using
bioinformatics to identify the genes being expressed in Drosophila melanogastor during
female fruit fly sperm storage. In addition to this, I am working with Dr. Sanjive Qazi
helping to analyze the gene expression patterns in association with HIV infection as well
as using bioinformatics on gene expression microarrays to help identify the regulation of
genes involved in leukemia. I also have participated in the Mayo Innovation Scholars
Program where I researched methods of anti-cancer drug delivery. I also have been a cross
country runner at Gustavus all four years and am looking forward to being an HHMI peer
mentor in the fall.
As for future plans, I plan on taking a year or two off to either participate in a
biomedical research internship or volunteering through the Peace Corps or Teach for
America before getting my M.D.
Erin Watt ‘10
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: Last Fall I studied the effects of change blindness with Abbe Paulhe and Dr. Wotton. We had the opportunity of presenting our findings at the Annual Mid-Brains Conference of the Upper Midwest. In addition, the following summer I studied micro expressions with Dr. Robinson for the Neuroscience department.
Being a Neuroscience minor is one of the best decisions I have made at Gustavus! My favorite class would be Introduction to Neuroscience because the knowledge gained definitely complimented my psychology background. I would recommend taking at least one Neuroscience class before any psychology major graduates!
Future Plans: I plan to pursue my Educational Specialist degree in school psychology at the University of South Dakota.
Chelsea Zamora ‘10
Major: Biology
Minor: Neuroscience
Experience/Interests: I was a Mayo Clinic Innovation Scholar, where I researched a newly patented cellular vehicle method of drug delivery.
Future Plans: In the future, I plan on attending Physician's Assistant School.