Samantha Adler
I’m a chemistry major from Northwest Indiana with a minor in psychology and a joint minor in math and computer science. I currently do research at NYU Langone's Anesthesiology Department under Dr. Esperanza Recio-Pinto. After I graduate, I plan to work on getting a doctorate in pharmacology so I can work on creating more effective psychiatric medication. My hobbies include baking, attending theatrical performances, reading, and trying unique food all around Manhattan. I am also an NYU London Global Ambassador and Director of Advertising at Gramercy Green.
Class of 2015
Zonia Ali
I am happily pursuing a degree in Neural Science. For nearly three years, I have worked in Professor Eric Klann’s lab, which focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms involved in learning, memory, and certain neurodevelopment disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Most recently, I have been studying the effect of chronic stress on a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. I hope to pursue a career in medicine and/or research, with keen interests in psychiatry and translational research. On behalf of WINS, I am helping to coordinate a Girls’ Science Day in conjunction with the World Science Festival. At NYU, I am also a part of MLK Scholars and have served as an Undergraduate Writing Tutor. Originally from Memphis, TN, I enjoy excursions back down South to see family and indulge in Southern peculiarities.
Elle Barnes
I am an environmental science major from Long Island, New York. In high school, I worked as a zookeeper and research assistant at RWPZoo. I have worked in my classes to complete research on topics ranging from street tree health, water quality post-breach from Hurrican Sandy in Jamaica Bay, and water quality on dry vs. rainy days at combined sewer outlets. Currently, I am interning at NYC Audubon where I completed, and am in the process of publishing, a persistence study on bird collisions in Bryant Part. As a presidential honors scholar, I am working on independent research on urban green spaces in New York City, Berlin, and Stockholm, which aims analyze their functionality and produce a publicly accessible eco-map. In the future, I hope to achieve a PhD in conservation ecology. Aside from science, I enjoy drawing, exploring the outdoors, and competing in martial arts.
Laura Craciun
I am a neural science major in the College of Arts and Sciences from Carmel, New York.During the school year, I work in Professor Adam Carter's lab at the Center for Neural Science studying neural circuits of the prefrontal cortex. I also work at NYU's Department of Physical Therapy with Dr. Greg Gutierrez and have in the past volunteered at Beth Israel Hospital in the Pediatric Neurology Department.As a BP-ENDURE fellow, I have had the opportunity to do neuroscience research over my summers at Brown University and the University of Michigan. Apart from science, I am also a Presidential Scholar at NYU, an art history minor, and a huge lover of traveling and history.
Emma K. Curtis
I am an anthropology major focusing on the sub-field of physical anthropology. Specifically, I am interested in primate evolution and the ways in which comparative morphology can be used to interpret the fossil record. During the summer of 2013, I attended a field school in the Koobi Fora region of Kenya where I was involved in the excavation of a Homo erectus footprint site. Over the last year I have conducted research within the sub-disciplines of dental anthropology and ecomorphology. My current research focuses on the locomotive implications of the shape of the elbow joint in Old World monkeys with the goal of reconstructing paleohabitats. In addition to independent research, I also work in the NYU Paleoanthropology Lab doing 3D imaging of primate dental casts. After I leave NYU, I plan to get a PhD in physical anthropology and continue doing both laboratory and field research. My hobbies include cooking/baking, keeping up with all Oscar-nominated movies, and playing with my cat. I also love traveling and art history.
Paris C DeYoung
I am a psychology major from Towson, Maryland with a double minor in chemistry and child and adolescent mental health studies. I am a part of the Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s Program offered through NYU, and am currently working towards my master’s in forensic psychology. Since my sophomore year I have been a research assistant for the Amodio Social Neuroscience Lab, and through the psychology honors program I am working with the Uleman lab on my thesis in subliminal priming and the effect such priming can have on forensic environments. I am also an undergraduate writing tutor through the Undergraduate Writing Tutor Program. Outside of academics, I love slam poetry, TED talks, and dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Nina D Fisher
I am a Chemistry major from Agoura Hills, California. I have been working in the Seeman Lab since my sophomore year, where I have worked on several research projects in the field of DNA Nanotechnology. My goal is to pursue an MD/PhD. I am also President of Pulse Dance Project and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Rosie (So Yeon) Koo
I am pursuing a B.S. degree in a neural science and minor in mathematics. I’m from Fairfax, Virginia. In the past, I conducted research on Alzheimer’s disease at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and research on Fragile X Syndrome at Seoul National University in South Korea. Currently I am working at Professor Eric Klann’s lab in the Center for Neural Science. Since I joined the lab, I have been studying molecular mechanisms involved in Fragile X Syndrome for two years. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to go to graduate school and get a Ph.D. for neuroscience. Apart from science, I love sharing my knowledge. I am a teaching assistant for the course ‘Introduction to Psychology’ and working as a tutor at the Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High school. My hobbies include calligraphy, biking, collecting souvenir pennies, and cooking. Next on my hobby list is to become a Barista!
Helen Lyo
I am a Biology major from Queens. New York. I am involved in translational research which aims to improve immunotherapeutic approaches to Alzheimer's Disease in Dr. Thomas Wisniewski's laboratory at NYU Langone Medical Center. I am also President of the Society of Undergraduate Neural Science (SUNS), a site leader for the service organization Alternative Breaks, and a Commuter Assistant for first year commuters. My hobbies include playing tennis, volleyball, and swing dancing. I plan to pursue an MD degree in the future while continuing to be involved in translational and clinical research.
Sandhya N. Manohar
Sandhya graduated from NYU in 2015 with a BA in Mathematics and Biology. While at NYU, she worked in Dr. Christine Vogel's lab at NYU's Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, where she studied the dynamic response of the yeast proteome to oxidative stress. In the summer of 2015, she joined the Chemical Biology PhD program at Harvard University.
Leeann Ozer
I am a senior in CAS pursuing a double major in Neural Science and Music, minoring in Physics. During the past few years at NYU, I have had the pleasure of developing both my scientific and creative interests. Whether I played oboe in the Community Orchestra at NYU, composed chamber music privately and for my music classes, interned for a new music ensemble Either/Or, or studied piano in the Lyra Summer Music Festival, I am always nourishing my musical outlet. I've had the honor of receiving the Gustave Reese Memorial Prize for excellency in the field of music.
As an aspiring scientist, I have been conducting research in a variety of neuroscience labs here at NYU. Throughout my sophomore year, I worked in Elizabeth Phelp's Lab studying the Neuroscience of Affect, Learning, and Decisions. The following summer I became interested in molecular neuroscience, and studied the development of the Drosophila visual system in Claude Desplan's Lab. Currently, I am writing my honors thesis, "Mapping Odor Representation using a Novel Photoswitchable Protein" in Dmitry Rinberg's Lab at the NYU Neuroscience Institute.
I am a Presidential Honors Scholar, a member of the University Leadership Honors Course, and the Community Service Chair for the Society of Undergraduate Neuroscience.
Jocelyn Schulz
I hail from Kansas and am majoring in computer science with minors in math and physics. I work as a part-time software engineer at Knewton, an adaptive learning company. I am also part of NYU WIRELESS and conduct research for the future of wireless technologies. I'm a Presidential Scholar, but apart from academics, I am a huge fan of roller coasters (and anything else that makes your stomach drop) and spend a great deal of my time dancing.
Cindy Tsui
I am a pre-med computer science major from Queens, NY. I work at Mount Sinai Hospital and am completing my honors thesis with the Sanes Lab at the NYU Center for Neural Science. After two enjoyable and productive years as Vice President of Programming on Commuter Student Council, I now serve as the WINS Fundraising Chair. Additionally, I am a Presidential Honors Scholar and an active member of Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity.
Asher J Williams
I am currently a senior at the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. I am an international student from Trinidad and Tobago, and a National Open Scholar. Over the summer I did research on protein stability and antibody engineering at Professor Kim's lab in Brooklyn. I plan to attend graduate school to study Renewable Energy Engineering, with a focus on Sustainable Energy Systems and Biotechnology. I am interested in exploring bioenergy as a renewable energy option, particularly in the Caribbean and other tropical regions. In my free time I enjoy napping excessively, shopping, and working out at the gym