Meet TS3 Graduate Students – City University of New York

My path in science (and in life!) has not always been linear. With little formal education after 8th grade, I received my GED at age 18. After that, I attended a local college for 1 year and then enrolled in a small, unaccredited seminary. When I finally got into City College (undergraduate), it was as an English major. Through electives in psychology and neuroscience, I discovered a love for understanding the mind and the mechanics of the brain. I soon joined a neuroscience laboratory at City College, where I studied the effects of alcohol on fear memory in rats. I was hooked.

I did a BA in English at City and then a BA in Psychology. I am currently working on my PhD in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. I am currently investigating the non-neuronal components of chronic pain by studying microglia and astrocytes (glial cells), as well as the structure of one interesting component of the extracellular matrix, the perineuronal meshwork.

I joined TS3 as a graduate student because I’m just here now, learning what I am (and loving it!) because I’ve had some great mentors who have helped me on my peripatetic journey. If I can help someone else even a little, I would love to take advantage of this opportunity.