We honor our inaugural class of neuroscience majors for their leadership, academic excellence, and first-class contributions as researchers and teaching assistants.
Andrew Venuti
Outstanding Overall Senior Award
One of the most memorable moments in my academic journey was taking Intro to Neuroscience with Professor Bergan. In this course, I developed a foundational understanding of the techniques researchers use to characterize neural circuits and their behavioral correlates. As I reflect on my experiences, this class stands out as a pivotal moment that inspired me not only to pursue a career in science, but also to appreciate the diverse perspectives and creative approaches that drive all forms of scientific discovery and research.
While there is no shortage of amazing faculty in the department, I would especially like to shout out Dr. Matt Hartsock! After taking his junior year seminar on the neurobiology of psychotherapy, Matt became my mentor in the Karatsoreos lab where I completed my honors thesis. Matt is both a diligent scientist and an extremely effective communicator, and being his student has greatly benefited my undergraduate experience.
Tia Joseph
Excellence in Leadership Award
A favorite memory of mine was the Neuroscience Major Kickoff this past fall! It was a surreal moment to finally have neuroscience-loving students united under one major, and with our very own merch! I also enjoyed getting to know the other student-led neuroscience organizations while helping plan this event with the department.
A special shout-out to my research mentors Dr. Rebecca Spencer and Dr. Andrea Cataldo for nominating me for the Excellence in Leadership award and for serving as wonderful advisors during my honors thesis project! I'd also love to shout-out Dr. Astheimer, along with the faculty members and academic advisors in the PBS and Biology departments, for spearheading the launch of the neuroscience program and making it possible for seniors like myself to transition into the major so seamlessly.
Shourya Gupta
Outstanding Thesis Award
One of my favorite memories is from sophomore year when I was just coming into Dr. A's office hours for some advice regarding my class schedule, and I remember it turning into a conversation about my fascination with research and how I wanted to join a lab and work on a project related to neurodegenerative disease. It clearly had an amazing impact on me--I ended up joining the Rauch Lab where I've spent the last two years investigating tau protein spread in Alzheimer's Disease!
A special shout out to Jenny Rauch, my PI, and Gabby Villafana, my graduate student mentor, as well as everyone in the Rauch Lab for making my time there so amazing. I've learned so much and I enjoy being around such wonderful people.
Lexi Dakin
Teaching Assistant Excellence Award
Lydia Kirkorian
Teaching Assistant Excellence Award
My favorite memory from my time as a neuroscience major was being a TA for Psych330 with Lori Astheimer, where we made candy neurons with our discussion sections as a review of neuron anatomy!
I would like to give a huge shoutout to Lori Astheimer-Best for mentoring me throughout my undergraduate years at UMass, first as an advisor, then as a mentor for TAing, inducting me into NeuroPsi, and eventually watching me graduate as part of the first graduating class of Neuroscientists at UMass. My second shoutout goes out to the staff and undergraduate researchers in the SomNeuro Lab! I greatly enjoyed my time on the TMRO team working with Katrina Rodheim, Dr. Spencer, and my fellow RAs.
Will Mulholland
Teaching Assistant Excellence Award
My favorite memory has to be the Neuroscience Major kickoff event. It was a great opportunity to talk with fellow neuroscience students and faculty, as well as win some prizes in trivia!
I would like to shoutout Dr. Cana Park who has helped guide me through my honors thesis journey in her lab. Her sense of humor and drive to do science in a meaningful manner has inspired me to pursue research after graduation.
I would also like to shoutout Dr. Jeremy Spool who I have been a TA for the past 2 semesters teaching 494NI Professional Development in Neuroscience. He has been an integral part of my experience here in the neuroscience department, always bringing enthusiasm to class and being available to talk to his students. He has taught me a lot about giving effective feedback to students as well as navigating the challenges in academia. No one else can engage a class in talking about professional development like Dr. Jeremy Spool does!
Keller Dorgan
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
A favorite memory of mine from PBS is taking Psych 391 with Matthew Hartsock. It was one of the most interesting classes I took at UMass and loved all of the conversations we had as a class. I also really enjoyed the neuroscience major kickoff, especially the pigs in a blanket!
Shout out to Meg Stratton, my PI, for nominating me for this award and for all her guidance throughout the last couple years. Her trust in me to work somewhat independently has helped me develop greatly as a scientist and I have learned so much from being in her lab. I also wanted to give a shoutout to Lori Astheimer, for all of her work in making the neuroscience major happen. We all really appreciate it and are so proud to be a part of the first graduating class of neuroscience majors.
Hope Kornstein
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
Liam Caramello
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award