Year you started the Neuroscience Program: 2003

Why you chose the UC Denver Neuroscience Program:Diversity and atmosphere. When deciding to go to graduate school, I had various areas of research that interested me. After exploring the faculty web pages, I found that coming to Colorado would not hinder me in discovering what type of study suited me best. Also, that atmosphere here is one that I felt to be unique compared to other schools that I visited. The professors are always willing to set aside time for you, and the environment is friendly and open.

What labs you rotated in: Sherry Leonard, Mike Zawada, Ken Tyler

What lab you joined and why: Sherry Leonard. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology, so I have a vested interest in psychiatric disorders.

Short description of your project: I work on how prenatal stress can affect gene expression in adulthood, and how this could be related to schizophrenia.

Where you attended undergrad and what your major/minor(s) were: University of Florida, Major: Psychology/ Classics

What you did (if anything) between undergrad and grad school: Backpacked throughout Europe! If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

Other school affiliated activities/clubs you are involved in: The Alternatives in Science Club (AIS). UCD does not have a career center and this student club was started to focus on careers outside of academic science.

What you like to do outside of school: Snowboarding, mountain biking, backpacking, movies, homebrewing, and sampling the fine local microbrews. I also like long walks on the beach, romantic poetry, and kittens.