Authors

Victoria is a Neuroscience PhD candidate in Dr. Josh Gold’s lab studying decision-making. She is interested in when we flexibly change our decision strategies in response to changes in the environment, and how the brain gets it done. When not working she loves to be outside, preferably near a body of water, and enjoys traveling and nature photography. 

Catrina is a Neuroscience PhD student in Dr. Nicole Rust’s lab at UPenn. She is broadly interested in the neural correlates of cognitive processes and is currently studying how we remember what we see. When she’s not in the lab she enjoys reading, playing the viola, and playing games with friends. You can read more about her work on her personal website: catrinahacker.com. Catrina co-leads our ongoing collaboration with the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society blog.

Lindsay is a Neuroscience PhD Candidate in Dr. Gregory Corder’s lab at UPenn. Her PhD research investigates brain circuits underlying pain and pain relief, and her long-term goal is to start her own laboratory studying chronic internal pain disorders. Alongside research, Lindsay is very passionate about STEM outreach: communicating brain science facts to the general public (@neuro_melody on socials) and helping increase opportunities for underrepresented minorities in STEM.

Anna is a 2nd year NGG student in Dr. Richard Phillips’ lab. Her research project focuses on myeloid cell infiltration and differentiation in glioblastomas. In her free time, Anna enjoys staying active through running and dance, and trying different almond croissants in the city.

Serena is a Neuroscience PhD student at Penn interested in the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease. She is also curious about how neurons can regrow following neurodegeneration or injury. When not in the lab, Serena loves anything that will allow her to explore the outdoors. She also enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen and honing in her creative side through painting.

Joe is a 2^nd year Neuroscience PhD student at Penn broadly interested in sleep and systems neuroscience. He has a particular interest in the neural mechanisms regulating transitions between sleep states and wakefulness. When not in lab he enjoys rock climbing, reading science fiction, and hanging out with his cat Lux.

Nita is a Neuroscience PhD student working in both the Betley and Machado labs. She is interested in different types of motivation, and her research examines and compares the brain circuits that drive an animal to run under different conditions (ex: spontaneous vs escape). In her free, Nita enjoys swimming, running, and knitting on the couch while listening to an audiobook.

Margaret is a first-year NGG student interested in using neuroimaging to study the basis of psychiatric disorders. She can often be found in coffee shops, listening to comedy/paranormal podcasts, or doting on her dog, Sasquatch. 

Kara is a Neuroscience PhD student in Josh Gold’s lab at Penn. She studies how uncertainty and instability affect decision-making behavior and neural activity. Outside of research, Kara enjoys cooking with friends, yoga, and exploring with her dog, Mo.

Eve is a Neuroscience PhD student at UPenn in the lab of Dr. Natali Chanaday where she studies the role of calcium channels in synaptic plasticity and neurological disease. When she’s not in lab, you can find Eve walking dogs, enjoying a book and matcha at a coffee shop, lounging in Rittenhouse park, or making miscellaneous art/crafts. 

Carly is a Neuroscience PhD student in the lab of Dr. Matthew Kayser at UPenn. For her thesis, she is studying the impact of sleep and neurodevelopmental genes on neurodegeneration and repair. When she isn’t in lab, Carly loves reading, running, singing, and spending time with her adorable pit bull Kiska.

Omer is a PhD student at Penn with a background in how the brain regulates social behavior and competition. Outside of lab, Omer enjoys gardening, sci-fi, and biking along the Schuylkill river.

Andrew is a first-year PhD student in NGG at Penn. He is broadly interested in circadian rhythms, sleep, the gut-brain axis, innate behaviors, neuroimmunology, and neurodegeneration. Beyond the lab, you can find him in the kitchen cooking, tending to his various plants, rollerblading and longboarding, and hanging out with his dog, Bruno. 

Stephen is a first year neuroscience PhD student broadly interested in translational neuroscience with a focus on Alzheimer’s, communication between the gut and brain, and psychedelics.  After obtaining his BA in neuroscience from Hamilton College in 2020, he completed a postbac research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.  When not in the lab, Stephen is likely outside engaging in various activities like hiking, skiing, and backpacking, or can be found brewing his next beer.

Emma is a Neuroscience PhD student at Penn in the labs of Dave Wolk and Sandy Das. Her work focuses on using neuroimaging to model resilience and vulnerability to normal aging-related brain changes. Outside the lab, Emma can be found cooking and baking up a storm or rewatching 2000’s romcoms.

Abby is a Neuroscience PhD student at Penn interested in studying how different regions of our brain are used to perform the same action depending on our internal state (e.g. whether we are hungry, thirsty, sleepy, lonely, happy etc.). When she’s not in lab, you can find Abby doing yoga, cooking new recipes, exploring Philly, or squealing over cute animals.

Emma is a Neuroscience PhD student in Dr. Isaac Chen’s lab where she studies methods for brain repair after injury. In her free time she is a member of Philadelphia Runner Track Club, where she trains for half and full marathons. Emma also enjoys other outdoor activities like skiing and hiking.

Lucas Tittle is a PhD student in the labs of Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue and Dr. Kevin Bolding. His research is at the intersection of the olfactory system and gut-brain axis, and how external signals like odors and internal signals interact to change feeding behavior.

Hayley is a 2nd year Neuroscience PhD student broadly interested in neuroimmunology. Her work in Dr. Richard Phillips’ lab focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of T cell infiltration in glioblastoma. Outside of the lab, Hayley enjoys reading, running along the Schuylkill river, crocheting, and checking out new restaurants in Philly.

I am a Neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. My work focuses on understanding the cell biology of the KIF1A motor, and how its trafficking affect neuronal pathways. My hobbies are weight lifting and taking my dog on walks!