By: Dr. Debra Bangasser

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and its impact on behavior. It encompasses a broad domain that ranges from neural development to circuits involved in cognition and emotion, to the causes of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This rapidly growing field has applications ranging from health disciplines to economics and public policy.

In collaboration with the Departments of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology, the College of Liberal Arts Neuroscience program started a 2-year Master's Degree in Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior and Plasticity in 2016. This program provides advanced training in molecular, behavioral, motor, and cognitive neuroscience, along with professional development opportunities. Faculty-mentored research is a major component of the training. Many Psychology Department faculty members serve as mentors for student research projects, as well as instructors for courses. The ultimate goal of this program is to train students for a professional career in a neuroscience-related discipline.

Our first class of five students graduated with MS degrees in spring 2018. Where are they now?

• Two alumni, Evelynn Harrington and Kyle Peer, are working in academic laboratories conducting research on depression and leukodystrophy, respectively.
• Marguerite Robinson has applied her neuroscience training to help people recovering from traumatic brain injury and stroke by working as a Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapist.
• Alexander Telenson started a doctoral program in Neuroscience at Northwestern University with the goal of developing better treatments for neuromuscular diseases.
• Jacob Strupp co-founded a brain-computer interface company.

We are proud of our impressive first graduate class and look forward to following their exciting careers!