Cognitive Neuroscience Personal Statement

My first research advisor told me that a personal investment in research makes for stronger work and can lead to invaluable motivation and insight. My chosen field of study, cognitive neuroscience, specifically memory systems, is the result of my past experience. Since childhood, a close family member has suffered from epilepsy, with seizures focalized in the hippocampus. When I was in middle school, he underwent a surgical procedure to remove his hippocampus. The surgery was successful in stopping seizures, though there were lasting cognitive effects: memory impairments still linger, a decade later. While this overwhelming experience could have been a reason to avoid brain-related fields, I am instead drawn to understanding the cause. As an undergraduate in college, I chose to study cognitive neuroscience and work in research labs studying cognitive impairments. In my graduate study, I plan to study the human memory system and its many components. In particular, I will study the hippocampus and its role in different cognitive systems, including but not limited to memory, learning, attention and perception, and social interaction, using a variety of neuroimaging methods. Beyond academia, I hope to continue work in science outreach, including school-based and online, to further educate the public about neuroscience.

While obtaining a dual degree in Brain and Cognitive Sciences/Linguistics at the University of Rochester, I took the opportunity to explore my interests outside of the classroom. Each of my research experiences has built upon the last, beginning with my interest in understanding how our brains work and what happens when they begin to deteriorate . Each stage has given me variety of skills, from neuropsychological testing to methods used to explore our cognitive functions, to basic research management