Rowan Schneider

     I sat still on my bed with my noise-canceling headphones blaring the familiar lyrics of my favorite bands. I was captivated—not by the music but by the countless tabs on my screen. Concepts such as “post-excitatory inhibition” and “immunocytochemical” flowed effortlessly into my brain. Hours passed by unnoticed as I was determined to absorb all the information. The hunger only registered when my roommate reminded me of the imminent closing of the dining hall and I was jolted back to reality. My absorption in the pages before me was foreign to my high school self and ignited by my growing fascination with neuroscience. However, it also distracted me from doing the correct research for my first-semester biology project. After speaking with my professor about my misunderstanding of my topic, my professor encouraged me to turn this misstep into an opportunity to explore my interests. My interest in neuroscience was evident not only to myself but to others as well. That realization fueled my dedication to immersing myself in neuroscience. 

     In my first neuroscience course, I collaborated with classmates to design an experiment exploring the effects of nicotine in crayfish under Diana Lancaster and Dr. Jennifer Larimore. After encountering a significant gap in existing research, I devoted as much time as possible to learning about the crayfish's nervous system. After four months of daily observations, repeated trials, and multiple meetings with our instructor, our research yielded significant results but also filled a gap in the existing literature. We found that nicotine had a larger effect on the reflexes of the crayfish Medial Giant Neuron than the Lateral Giant Neuron. Presenting our findings to our peers and faculty at an institution-wide symposium fueled my desire to expand my knowledge and share it with others. 

     More recently, I have worked on studying anxious and depressive-like behaviors in C57BL6 mice. My labmates and I added burrowing enrichment, with expectations it would reduce anxiety due to stimulating a mouse’s natural environment. We conducted the Forced Swim Test and Open Field Test, and scored them for behavior. While our research did not go as expected, we still had the chance to present our findings at two Atlanta-based neuroscience conferences. Additionally, the experience solidified that I want to work with model systems, particularly their behavior and cognition in relation to stress and drug exposure.

     As I look into the future, I am eager to deepen my understanding of the intricate mechanisms of the brain and nervous system through further research and literature. My experiences have not only expanded my research skills but have also instilled a strong commitment to contributing to the field of neuroscience. Whether by designing experiments that address unanswered questions, mentoring and collaborating with peers, or engaging in related fields, I aim to translate my enthusiasm into significant contributions. The skills I’ve developed in my neuroscience and math courses—experimental design, literature analysis, and effective communication—have prepared me for conducting more rigorous lab work. This summer research opportunity will allow me to further refine my skills and build connections with professionals in the field, which is irreplaceable when it comes to my academic journey.