Neuroscience

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  • By studying how cells manipulate proteins, Professor Shubhik DebBurman and his students hope to better understand why some proteins change shape and cause incurable neurological diseases like Parkinson’s. Many of Professor DebBurman’s students have had the opportunity to co-author publications with him on this research and to turn their lab work into research projects and senior theses.

Combining the study of psychology with biology, few subjects integrate the sciences better than neuroscience, one of the fastest growing areas in science. Our students are exploring brain function and addressing current ideas regarding thought, behavior, and neuropathology.

  • <em>First-year neuroscience students conduct brain outreach with North Chicago fifth graders.</em>
    First-year neuroscience students conduct brain outreach with North Chicago fifth graders.

Neuroscience students pursue independent original research with faculty on topics as diverse as neural plasticity, human memory, applied cognitive psychology, child development, evolution of animal behavior, neurodegenerative disease, cellular physiology, and the genetics of organ development.
 
While providing an excellent background for launching into the graduate health professions, including medical school, our interdisciplinary training also prepares graduates for diverse scientific professions.

Our students also pursue off-campus study in Chicago or with nearby Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, engage in community outreach and education, partner with North Chicago elementary schools, and annually interact with scientific professionals and the research community at the Chicago Society for Neuroscience conference.

Students enjoy a strong focus on critical writing and persuasive communication by participating in the award-winning student  research journal EUKARYON. A vibrant student and faculty community is fostered by the activities of the student orgranization SYNAPSE.

For their scholarship and educational outreach activities, our students regularly receive recognition from professional societies, at the local and national level. In just 2011 alone, they have won research prizes at two Chicago conferences and the 2011 Brain Awareness Week Award from the international Society for Neuroscience.

Why study neuroscience?

Read this news story in the 2011 Eukaryon issue on why neuroscience majors are drawn to this exciting new major!

Meet Our Majors and Minors!

  • <strong><em>Kristi Johnson ‘12</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Sheridan, Illinois</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Neuroscience and Psychology major</em></strong><br /><br /><em>&#160;“I am from a small town in Illinois. When Lake Forest College created a neuroscience major I could not switch to it quick enough! The human brain is a fascinating and growing topic that our program covers extensively. I have participated in Brain Awareness Week and taken neuroscience classes that allow the opportunity to handle human brains; as an undergraduate I could not ask for more. The program helped me get a mentorship this summer in a neuroscience research lab, helping me reach my future health profession career goals.”</em>
    Kristi Johnson ‘12
    Sheridan, Illinois
    Neuroscience and Psychology major

     “I am from a small town in Illinois. When Lake Forest College created a neuroscience major I could not switch to it quick enough! The human brain is a fascinating and growing topic that our program covers extensively. I have participated in Brain Awareness Week and taken neuroscience classes that allow the opportunity to handle human brains; as an undergraduate I could not ask for more. The program helped me get a mentorship this summer in a neuroscience research lab, helping me reach my future health profession career goals.”
Tyler Hogstrom
Tyler Hogstrom ‘14, Killington, Vermont
Major: Neuroscience
“I am interested in studying neuroscience because it is the next great scientific mystery. The behaviors of animals are only starting to be understood on their most fundamental level, and I find all of the ground breaking research enthralling. I hope to one day to be a part of this research, although I am not totally sure of my career goals. Lake Forest College is a great place to start in neuroscience because of its hands on curriculum. From the first neuroscience class you take you have the opportunity to learn brain anatomy with the aid of actual human brains (donated, of course). Every department in Lake Forest College takes this hands of approach and gives its students a complete and applicable education.”