Student Spotlights

My research is looking at how the neurons that make neuropeptides develop during adolescence, and how exposure to alcohol during adolescence can interfere with this development. I get to study brain development and hopefully contribute to our understanding of several affective disorders. I felt that Penn State was the best university for me to grow as a scientist and prepare for a future career. There is tremendous support for research at Penn State, and a commitment to training graduate students.

Avery Sicher, Neuroscience PhD Student
NIH NIAAA F31 NRSA Fellow, University Park

I believe that good science cannot happen in a vacuum, and it is interdisciplinary research that will eventually lead to groundbreaking findings. I aim to use cross-disciplinary techniques like primary cell culture and ex-vivo slice electrophysiology to better understand how the brain is affected by both genetic and environmental Alzheimer's disease risk factors. Being a part of the PSNI means that I am able to receive wonderful mentorship by leaders at both the Hershey and University Park campuses, allowing me to have a more interdisciplinary perspective to my thesis work

Rachel Kang, Biomedical Sciences PhD Student
College of Medicine