Year you started the Neuroscience Program: 2004

Why you chose the UC Denver Neuroscience Program:

1. Direct interaction with PI's: there are several PIs with whom I enjoyed speaking when I visited, and this was a large part of my decision
2. The program integrates basic and clinical science. Students have the opportunity to take medical school courses in addition to a basic science, research oriented core curriculum
3. The new Fitzsimons campus: in addition to the new facilities, it's great to work somewhere with a view of Denver framed by the Rockies
4. Denver-area living: the city provides all the entertainment and activity of a big city with very low housing costs, which allows students to live comfortably on their stipend

What labs you rotated in: Rock Levinson, Diego Restrepo, Nathan Schoppa

What lab you joined and why: Schoppa lab. Fascinating projects, excellent support from the PI.

Short description of your project: I am working on characterizing general inhibitory circuit properties in the rat main olfactory bulb. In my work I utilize a combination of electrophysiological and optical techniques to simultaneously monitor the activity of both single neurons and populations of neurons. These techniques include whole cell patch clamp, local field potential and multi-unit action potential recording, and calcium imaging.

Where you attended undergrad and what your major/minor(s) were: University of California at Berkeley. Majors: Molecular and Cell Biology, Neurobiological emphasis (MCB) and Philosophy

What you did (if anything) between undergrad and grad school: I worked with Mathew Diamond's Information processing and Neuro-plasticity group under a Visiting Scholar Fellowship at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy.

Other school affiliated activities/clubs you are involved in: Neuroscience Curriculum Committee member and Student Rep for the Graduate Training Committee

What you like to do outside of school: I enjoy playing ice hockey, watching movies, traveling, reading philosophy, keeping up with my Italian, and a variety of outdoor activities.