2020 Chicago Brain Bee Champion announced at Lake Forest College
More than 50 students from 21 high schools in the greater Chicago area competed in the 2020 Chicago Brain Bee that took place on February 8 at Lake Forest College.
Past News
An archive of previous Neuroscience news
Students, alums present research at international conference
Three current students and two recent alums had the privilege to present their independent research at an international neuroscience conference in Chicago.
Lake Forest College presents 16th annual Brain Awareness Week
Montessori education, nurturing the social brain, and how robotics can help the study of neuroscience will be explored during the 16th annual Brain Awareness Week at Lake Forest College, November 4–8.
2019 Glassman Brain, Mind, and Behavior Symposium
The seventh annual Robert B. Glassman Memorial Brain, Mind, and Behavior Symposium—featuring the most-ever posters of original research by students and alumni—will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7.
DebBurman honored at national conference
Professor Shubhik DebBurman was presented with a Career Achievement Award from the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience at its annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in Chicago over fall break.
DebBurman named ‘Researcher To Know’
Shubhik DebBurman was named a 2019 Researcher To Know by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition. The list includes 21 researchers from Illinois colleges and universities who have made a significant impact in their field.
Putting their research skills to work
21 wins in 16 years
At the 2019 Chicago Society for Neuroscience (CSfN) Meeting, Abagayle King ’19 won the Third Prize in the undergraduate poster competition, becoming the 21st Forester in 16 years to be recognized research at this venue since undergraduates were first recognized in 2003.
Two juniors named 2019 Goldwater Scholars
Niam Abeysiriwardena ’20 and Samuel Gascoigne ’20 have been awarded prestigious Goldwater Scholarships, annual awards for outstanding undergraduates interested in careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.
Notes from the Loop: Michelle in Chicago
Michelle Kielar ’19 is a double major in Neuroscience and Philosophy who is studying in the Loop Program.
Niam Abeysiriwardena ’20 earns national Parkinson’s research grant
Niam Abeysiriwardena ’20 will advance his research on Parkinson’s disease this summer, thanks to a prestigious grant he received through the 2019 Parkinson’s Foundation-American Parkinson Disease Association Summer Student Fellowship Program.
Summer partnership celebrates 10 years
Working in a lab on research turned into a career-making experience for more than 100 Foresters who have participated in the Lake Forest College-Rosalind Franklin University research program since 2009.
Meet the 2019 Chicago Brain Bee champion
One of last year’s finalists Illinois Math and Science Academy student Shouri Bochetty, on his second try, won the First Place Honors at the 2019 Chicago Brain Bee, hosted by Lake Forest College on February 9.
Alumna one of 10 nationally to receive Tylenol scholarship
Tylenol recently awarded Natalie Kukulka ’13 a $10,000 scholarship for her devotion to academic excellence, exemplary leadership, and community engagement.
Art, science students collaborate on interactive sculpture
Art and neuroscience students collaborated on an interactive sculpture to bring awareness of glial cells—the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system—to a whole new level during the 2018 Glassman Symposium poster session.
Forester You Should Know: Chisomo Mwale
Chisomo Mwale ’19 received a 2018 Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience travel grant to present her senior project research on Parkinson’s disease at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting in San Diego, November 3–7.
Undergrads’ research in Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
With the publication of their paper “Algal Bloom Expansion Increases Cyanotoxin Risk in Food” in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, rising juniors Niam Abeysiriwardena ’20 and Sam Gascoigne ’20 became published first-authors and co-authors, respectively.
Ariane Balaram ’20 brings home first place at pharmacology competition
Balaram took first place in undergraduate poster competition at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) held at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago on June 22, 2018.
Yoan Ganev ’19 presents brain research at national conference
Ganev recently presented his neuroscience research at a national conference in San Diego, California.
Ariane Balaram ’20 receives national grant for neuroscience research
Bartram Scholar Ariane Balaram ’20 is Lake Forest College’s latest recipient of a national grant to further her research about possible gene interactions related to Parkinson’s disease.
Summer researchers compete in annual plate race
Lake Forest College hosted its 6th annual Summer Plate Race on Monday, June 4—this time on Middle Campus Quad.
Congratulations to the 2018 Nu Rho Psi inductees!
Lake Forest College inducted 22 new members—including current students, alumni, and faculty—into Nu Rho Psi, the National Honor Society in Neuroscience, at the NeuroFrontiers Conference on April 28.
Jeanne McDonald ’19 wins Goldwater Scholarship
Biology major Jeanne McDonald ’19 has been awarded a prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship for undergraduate excellence in the sciences—a first for Lake Forest College. Neuroscience and chemistry double major Yoan Ganev ’19 received an Honorable Mention.
NeuroFrontiers: A brainy confluence of student research, role-playing scientists, and alumni
Noted Chicago area expert on stress and anxiety neuroscientist Dr. Joanna Dabrowska and several Lake Forest College alumni will be the highlight of the 16th NeuroFrontiers Workshop on April 28 at Lake Forest College. This workshop celebrates the capstone research projects of four biology and neuroscience courses and the induction of new members of the college’s chapter of Nu Rho Psi, the national neuroscience honorary.
DebBurman earns Career Achievement Award
At the 2018 Chicago Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Disque D. and Carol Gram Deane Professor of Biological Sciences Shubhik DebBurman was awarded the Chicago Society for Neuroscience Career Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to neuroscience education.
Students win neuroscience awards
At the 2018 Chicago Society for Neuroscience Meeting, neuroscience majors Sarah Applebey ’18 and Rosemary Thomas ’18 won Second and Third Prizes, respectively, in the poster competition.
Yoan Ganev ’19 earns national grant to research Parkinson’s disease
Yoan Ganev ’19 has his summer set. The neuroscience and chemistry double major earned a $5,000 research grant from the prestigious Parkinson’s Foundation-American Parkinson Disease Association Summer Student Fellowship for a 10-week study, making him the latest Forester to earn a prestigious grant to conduct meaningful research as an undergraduate student.
‘End the Silence’ started a discussion
With the financial backing of a national grant, the Lake Forest College Nu Rho Psi chapter created opportunities for students on campus to relax, combat stress and anxiety, and start a conversation about mental illnesses.
College hosts successful 2018 Brain Bee
Last weekend, students braved the winter storm to participate in the Chicago Brain Bee, hosted by Lake Forest College. The Bee provided an excellent opportunity for our undergraduates to work with local youth and gain experience in organizing educational events.
Sarah Applebey ’18 lands fellowship research position
Sarah Applebey ’18 is a testament to using connections through the College to get an edge in her field.
Chloe Johnston explores how theater, neuroscience intersect
Following her presentation at Brain Awareness Week, Assistant Professor of Theater Chloe Johnston sat down with Spectrum to discuss Aristotle, mirror neurons, and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to education.
The brain, race, and theater
In a highlight of Brain Awareness Week, playwright and author Lydia Diamond discussed how she brings neuroscience to other disciplines like theater.
College’s neuroscience honorary receives national grant for mental health awareness
The Lake Forest College chapter of Nu Rho Psi (the national neuroscience honorary) was awarded a 2017-2018 Chapter Activity Grant Award from the Nu Rho Psi (NRP) National Council. Our college’s chapter was one of four institutions nationally to receive this award through a national competition between regional NRP chapters.
A Forester you should know: Yoan Ganev ’19
Every year in the fall, neuroscience student organizations on campus come together to collaborate and host Brain Awareness Week. This year, Yoan Ganev ’19 will not only help with hosting as a member of Nu Rho Psi, but he will also present his research and play the piano at one of the lectures.
Neuroscience alumni inspire potential neuroscience majors
Neuroscience alumni visited campus on Neuroscience Declaration Day to provide information about the value of their overall college experience and the value of majoring in neuroscience.
2017 Glassman Brain, Mind and Behavior Symposium November 9
The fifth annual Robert B. Glassman Memorial Brain, Mind, and Behavior Symposium will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 9.
Lake Forest College presents 14th annual Brain Awareness Week
Robotic limbs and touch, the deadly consequences of prion shapes, and a look at how theater can illuminate the intersection between race and neuroscience will be explored during the 14th annual Brain Awareness Week at Lake Forest College, November 6–11.
Exceeding the goal
This year, 45 Lake Forest College students and faculty members attended Chicago’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and, together, the College raised more than $8,500 for Alzheimer’s research.
Rising number of students pursue science degrees
The Chicago Tribune recently published a story on the increased interest in science fields at Lake Forest College.
Faculty member you should know: Jean-Marie Maddux
Assistant Professor of Psychology Jean-Marie Maddux didn’t quite know what to expect when she started teaching at Lake Forest College in spring 2016.
Student wins award at Neurology and Neurological Disorders meeting
Emily Ong ’17 received the accolade at the 14th Annual World Congress on Neurology and Neurological Disorders meeting in Chicago on July 18 and 19.
Run, students, run!
Six teams vied for the coveted McPherson Cup at Lake Forest College’s 4th Annual Plate Race on July 13.
In the spotlight
Students in the Our Amazing Brain class wowed the crowd during a symposium and poster presentation that showcased key neuroscience questions tackled during the four-week June summer course.
Foresters earn top honors at regional pharmacology competition
Foresters took first, second, and third place in the undergraduate poster competition at the 30th Annual Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) meeting—the premier pharmacology gathering in the Midwest—held at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago on June 23.
Peter Nesper ’15: Prolific researcher, writer
Peter Nesper ’15, a clinical research associate at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, has achieved a remarkable and rare accomplishment. Since August 2016, he has published 15 research articles and is the lead author on three.
Accessing cutting-edge neuroscience research
More than 90 students and recent grads learned about cutting-edge research advancements in neuroscience-related disciplines at the Society for Neuroscience 2017 Scientific Meeting held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
A Richter you should know: Niam Abeysiriwardena
The youngest Richter scholar, 14-year-old Niam Abeysiriwardena ’20 is working to help Professor of Biology Shubhik DebBurman research a unique protein that is a major factor in Parkinson’s disease.
Three Lake Forest College alums receive MD degrees at RFU
Three Lake Forest College alumni, Keith Solvang ’11, Daryn Cass ’10, and Daniella Brutman ’12, received their MD degrees from the Rosalind Franklin University Medical School.
Students showcase Parkinson’s disease research at national level
Emily Ong ’17, Rosemary Thomas ’18, and Paul Jones ’18 presented their neuroscience research at the annual American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) meeting held in Chicago, Illinois on April 25.
NeuroFrontiers: A brainy confluence of role-playing students and alumni
Noted University of Chicago neuroscientist Dr. Ellie Hecksher and several Lake Forest College alumni will be the highlight of the 15th NeuroFrontiers Workshop on April 29 at Lake Forest College. This workshop celebrates the capstone research projects of four biology and neuroscience courses and the induction of new members of the college’s chapter of Nu Rho Psi, the national neuroscience honorary.
LFC-RFUMS Scholars: Nine years of unique biomedical access and edge
The Lake Forest College-Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (LFC-RFUMS) Summer Scholars Program announces the 2017 class of scholars. This group will receive direct mentoring access with medical school professors and an early and deep scientific research edge in a program that has impacted more than 90 Foresters since 2008.
2017 Chicago Brain Bee champion named at Lake Forest College
On February 11, Vidya Babu, a junior from Illinois Math and Science Academy, became the First Place winner of the 2017 Chicago Brain Bee that took place at Lake Forest College. She will represent the Chicago region at the USA World Bee on March 17 (2017) in Washington, D.C.
College presents 13th annual Brain Awareness Week
How the brain reacts to bilingualism, the neuroscience behind attention, and the role the brain plays in voting and making purchases will be explored during the 13th annual Brain Awareness Week at Lake Forest College, November 7-12.
4th annual Glassman Symposium largest ever
The 2016 Robert B. Glassman Memorial Brain, Mind, and Behavior Symposium will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10.
A Forester you should know: Sierra Smith
Though she’s from the sunny beaches of Hawaii, Sierra Smith ’17 didn’t let the cold deter her when she visited campus during spring break her last year of high school—the same high school President Barack Obama attended.
Alumna to share her research at Neuroscience 2016
Sarah Chiren ’16 will present her work on traumatic brain injury at this fall’s Neuroscience 2016 conference, where international neuroscientists present emerging science to their colleagues.
Fine Nine
2016 marks a remarkable ninth straight year that Lake Forest College science majors stood on the podium at the premier pharmacology meeting in the Midwest. For the second straight year, this celebration was double.
Two-for-One: Medical Access, Research Edge
The Lake Forest College-Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (LFC-RFUMS) Summer Scholars Program announces the 2016 class of scholars. This group of undergraduates and newly minted graduates are set for an enviable two-for-one advantage: direct mentoring access with medical school professors and an early and deep scientific research edge.
A Forester you should know: Saul Bello Rojas
The temperature dropped 30 degrees on the drive north from Atlanta when Saul Bello Rojas ’16 and his parents first visited Lake Forest College.
14-0.
The number of years in a row since 2003 that Lake Forest science majors have received awards for undergraduate research at the annual Chicago Society for Neuroscience (CSfN) meeting, the Midwest’s premier brain conference. The latest success came at the 2016 conference just held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Friday (April 8, 2016).
Brainy Bonanza
Six distinguished young alumni joined thirteen students and two faculty for the 2016 Nu Rho Psi Induction ceremony on March 17 at Lake Forest College, where all neuroscience seniors were saluted and outstanding leadership was recognized. The Induction lecture entitled “Making Spare Parts for Brain Repair”, was presented by Dr. Daniel A. Peterson, PhD, Professor and Vice-Chairman of Neuroscience and Director, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Neuroscience students host third graders
Third graders from Lake Forest Country Day School learned a lot about brains during a Dec. 1 visit to the neuroscience program at Lake Forest College including how brains feel. Read this article by the Pioneer Press about their visit.
2015 Glassman Symposium takes interdisciplinary approach
The third annual Robert B. Glassman Memorial Brain, Mind, and Behavior Symposium will be held from 5:30–8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12.
“Brain Awareness Week” to address hot topics
How the brain reacts to concussion, stress, language, machines—even common medications—will be explored during the 12th annual Brain Awareness Week at Lake Forest College, November 9-14.
National showcase
Nine Lake Forest College undergraduates and four neuroscience faculty attended the 45th Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting held at McCormick Place in Chicago from Oct 17-21 (2015). Students presented undergraduate research on Parkinson’s disease and they highlighted the success of the college’s neuroscience program in a special science education session.
International neuroscience conference offers premier learning opportunity
Nine neuroscience students, including several Richter Scholars, attended Neuroscience 2015—the world’s largest marketplace of ideas and tools for global neuroscience— in Chicago.
Two Foresters earn awards at conference
Saul Bello Rojas ’16 and Rachel Granberg ’16 won the second and third prizes, respectively, among undergraduates for their research at the 28th Annual Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics meeting.
Medical advantage
This is the seventh year of the LFC-RFUMS Summer Scholars Program that has provided diverse biomedical research opportunities to more than 70 Lake Forest College students since 2009.
Brainy win
Alexandra Roman ’16, a neuroscience senior at Lake Forest College, received one of only two undergraduate grants for neuroscience research awarded by the national neuroscience honorary Nu Rho Psi.
NeuroFrontiers: A Confluence of role-playing students and alumni
A nationally noted addiction expert (Dr. Marina Wolf) and several alumni will be the highlight of the 14th NeuroFrontiers Workshop on April 25 at Lake Forest College. This workshop celebrates the capstone research projects of five biology and neuroscience courses and the induction of new members of the college’s chapter of Nu Rho Psi (the national neuroscience honorary). Seven biology and pschology alumni Dr. Thomas Carr ’70, Ph.D., Dr. Nijee Sharma Luthra 04, M.D./Ph.D., Dr. Isaac Holmes ’05, M.D., Dr. Arun Paul ’05, M.D./Ph.D., Dr. Katrina Brandis ’07, Ph.D., Dr. Michael White ’07, M.D., and Jaime Perez Pineda ’10 will be honored.
Doubly Lucky 13
Lake Forest College neuroscience and biology students prove that thirteen is not only a lucky number, but doubly so. Our students have once again, for the thirteenth year in a row, won prizes for outstanding undergraduate research at the prestigious 2015 Chicago Society for Neuroscience (CSfN) conference, which was held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on March 20.
Attention-getting research
Working as a research assistant at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Saul Bello Rojas ’16 wrote a case study that will be presented to a group of international experts in April.
Mentoring scientists nationally
D’Anne Duncan ’04 has a knack for mentoring others. It’s a skill she discovered while majoring in biology at Lake Forest College.
Strong foundation
Just 10 years after graduating from Lake Forest, Dr. Nijee Sharma Luthra ’04 will begin a fellowship at one of the top neurology departments in the world.
Brain research article benefits from student’s assistance
An article by Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology David Rademacher was published in the European Journal of Neuroscience with help from a Lake Forest College student.
Glassman’s daughter honored speaker at symposium
The second annual Robert Glassman Symposium will include a special presentation by his daughter, Dr. Jill Glassman.
Brain Awareness Week to address hot topics
The brain’s effect on emotions, gambling, religion—even sex—will be explored during the 11th annual Brain Awareness Week on campus this week.
Rising star
Michael Zorniak ’07 was named medical science liaison for global giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, thanks to his undergraduate experience at Lake Forest College.
Guppy research featured in New Scientist
Research conducted by students Robin Graber ’12, Madhavi Senagolage ’12, and Elizabeth Ross ’11, and overseen by Professor of Biology Anne Houde, was recently featured in the international science magazine, New Scientist.
Announcing the 10th annual CAP Colloquia Series
Lake Forest College is proud to announce the line up for the 10th annual Current Advances in Psychology (CAP) Colloquia Series. In celebration of the interdisciplinary nature of psychology, a trio of talks has been planned for this fall and another in the spring.
Alumna of summer research fellowship program published
Daryn Cass ’10 is credited as the first author in the article, “CB1 cannabinoid receptor stimulation during adolescence impairs the maturation of GABA function in the adult rat prefrontal cortex,” published by the scientific research journal Molecular Psychiatry.
Fruit flies grow fast!
Richter Scholars James Haney ’17 and Lauren Lyon ’17 have spent their 10-week research experience helping Associate Professor of Biology Alex Shingleton determine how juvenile hormone (JH) might influence development in Drosophila melanogaster, or fruit flies.
Nu Rho Psi wins Chapter of the Year award
The national Nu Rho Psi newsletter recognized that Lake Forest College won the 2013 “Chapter of the Year” award for their outstanding program. Alumni Emily Hankosky ’09 and Michael Zorniak ’07 received the award at the national meeting in San Diego, California.
Seven in a row
The Lake Forest College record at the Midwest’s premier pharmacology meeting continued unblemished for the seventh straight year. Charles Alvarado ’16 earned the first prize among undergraduates for his Parkinson’s disease research at the 27th Annual Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) meeting held at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) on Friday, June 13.
Kaku is coming
Popular theoretical physicist, Michio Kaku, will deliver the annual Oppenheimer lecture to start off Homecoming Weekend on September 18. Online registration has reached capacity. Please register online for the wait list and you’ll be notified if seating becomes available.
A new class of LFC-RFUMS Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars
The 2014 scholar list comprises seven rising seniors, six juniors, and three sophomores. Eight scholars are planning majors in biology, seven in neuroscience, and one is undeclared. Six are returning for their second summer/year. Four seniors are planning senior theses.
A model scholar
Ashley Reich ’13 is listed as the second author on a paper discussing the research she conducted on the protein Drosha at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS).
Inaugural Evolution, Brain and Disease Symposium marks annual Nu Rho Psi Induction
The Lake Forest College chapter of the national neuroscience honorary Nu Rho Psi presents the 2014 Evolution, Brain, and Disease Symposium on April 26 (Saturday) from 12:30-5:15 pm at the Johnson Science Center. This public scientific meeting highlights the capstone student research projects from four biology and neuroscience spring courses, features a seminar on memory, and honors alumni, faculty and students inducted as new member into the honorary.
Perfect dozen
This is the 12th year in a row that a Lake Forest College student has won a research prize at the Chicago Society for Neuroscience’s Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition.
Mind coach
Only a couple of thousand doctors in the world practice sport psychology. Even then, only a few dozen of them are doing it at an elite level, and Adam O’Neil ’05 is well on his way to becoming one of them.
Vetting her options
Kayla Ahlstrand ’12 was accepted into four veterinary medicine schools. Which one did she choose?
Eukaryon turns 10
Lake Forest College celebrated the tenth volume of Eukaryon, the student-produced science journal, on March 4.
Public brain lecture on March 20 features neurodegenerative disease mechanisms
The Lake Forest College Neuroscience Program, Nu Rho Psi (the national neuroscience honorary) and SYNAPSE (the college’s neuroscience student organization) invites the public to a lecture entitled “Life in the Fast Lane: Axonal transport, Kinases and Neurodegeneration” by Dr. Scott Brady (University of Illinois at Chicago) on Thursday, March 20, at 4:15 pm, in Meyer Auditorium located in Hotchkiss Hall. A reception will begin at 4:00 pm.
College’s young Nu Rho Psi chapter earns national recognition
The Chapter of the Year Award, announced last month during the annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting in San Diego, recognizes the accomplishments of a Nu Rho Psi chapter for excellence in carrying out the organization’s mission at the local, regional, and/or national level.
2013 graduate: “Doing research on and off campus set me apart”
Kim Diah ’13, one of the College’s first neuroscience majors, credits her recent job offer at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience to the three years of research experience she gained working alongside her professors and at nearby Rosalind Franklin University, a partner of Lake Forest College.
Female guppies show preference for rare males in mating game
Professor of Biology Anne Houde coauthored a study just published in the journal Nature showing sexual selection favoring unusual looking guppies over more run-of-the-mill ones.
First-year students get VIP tour of Brain Bank at nearby Northwestern Medical School
Students in the first-year studies class Medical Mysteries of the Mind recently traveled to Northwestern Medical School’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, where they spoke with Forester alumni who work or study there and learned about human brain pathology at the school’s Brain Bank.
Hours clocked in science labs give students edge when applying to graduate, medical schools
Many first-year students who begin as Richter Scholars in the sciences continue working in the labs throughout their studies at Lake Forest College and complete their senior theses with the same professor who served as their Richter advisor.
Fall neuroscience seminar series kicks off with talk on Parkinson’s Disease on September 25
The Lake Forest College Neuroscience Program, Nu Rho Psi (the national neuroscience honorary) and SYNAPSE (the college’s neuroscience student organization) invites the public to a lecture entitled “CaV1.3-Selective L-Type Calcium Channel Antagonists: Novel Therapeutics to Slow the Progression of Parkinson’s Disease” by Dr. Richard Silverman (Northwestern University) on Wednesday, September 25, at 4:15 pm, in Meyer Auditorium located in Hotchkiss Hall. A reception will begin at 4:00 pm.
Great Minds: 8 Things We Know About the Brain
Amid growing national and international interest in this topic—President Barack Obama announced a major research initiative to map the brain in April—Spectrum spoke with several Lake Forest faculty and alumni to find out what they’ve learned about the brain through their own research and work.
Lake Forest College students continue to build reputation at annual pharmacology conference
Wase Tembo ’15 earned first prize among undergraduates for her Parkinson’s disease research at the 26th Annual Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics meeting at Rush University Medical Center on Friday, June 14. She joins a growing list of Foresters recognized at the event for their impressive poster presentations over the past six years.
Recent graduate earns national grant to begin uncharted research of Parkinson’s disease
Natalie Kukulka ’13 is putting her grant from the Parkinson’s disease Foundation to use this summer as she begins a pioneering study of the role variant forms of the protein alpha-synuclein play in the development of the neurodegeneration disease.
Young alumna’s research on social fear learning published in well-reputed behavioral neuroscience journal
Shabana Yusufishaq’s collaboration with Dr. Amiel Rosenkranz, an assistant professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS), was an opportunity for the 2012 graduate to merge her studies in biology and education while at Lake Forest College.
Associate Professor of Psychology Matthew Kelley and Sydni Cole ’12 publish in top APA journal
Their spatial memory research, in collaboration with Matthew Reysen from the University of Mississippi, will be published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition.
11-0: A perfect Lake Forest record at Midwest’s premier neuroscience conference
Ashley Reich ’13 and Natalie Kukulka ’13 won Second and Third Prizes, respectively, at the Chicago Society for Neuroscience (CSfN) 2014 meeting’s 11th Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on March 7. This is the eleventh year in a row that a Lake Forest College student has won a research prize at this venue.
Why pursue pre-health at Lake Forest College?
Students in the pre-health program work closely with professors in the classroom and in the lab beginning in their first year, and they participate in research and internship opportunities on and off campus. Ninety percent of Lake Forest College students who apply to medical school are accepted.
2012 Brain Awareness Week to highlight lecture on whether sex differences exist in children’s brains
The Lake Forest College Neuroscience Program invites the community to attend Dr. Eliot’s presentation titled “Pink Brain, Blue Brain? The truth about sex differences, their causes, and their consequences,” which will be held on Nov 14 at 4:15 pm in Meyer Auditorium, Hotchkiss Hall. This is one of two keynote lectures of the 2012 Brain Awareness Week (November 12-17) at Lake Forest College. This educational community outreach event is the collaborative effort of students and faculty at Lake Forest College studying Brain, Mind, and Behavior. The public is welcome to attend the week’s events free of charge.
Science alumni to discuss brain cancer and explore diverse career choices at 2012 Hostage Brain Conference
Michael Zorniak ’07, will give a public lecture at Lake Forest College on Saturday, December 8 at 12:15 p.m. Aimed at a general audience, Zorniak’s presentation, titled “Strategies for Personalized Medicine in Brain Cancer”. Stephanie Valtierra ‘08, Elizabeth Ross ‘11, and Saajidha Rizvyden ‘12will lead a science alumni career panel on diverse career choices in the life sciences at 11:45 am. Both events will be held in Room 200 in the Johnson Science Center. The public is welcome to attend free of charge.
Nine science students present research at 22nd Annual Argonne Symposium
On Oct 26, nine Lake Forest College students presented biology, neuroscience, psychology, and environmental studies research at the 22nd Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics at Argonne National Laboratory. Nearly 300 students, teachers, and scientists attended the symposium, and over 130 students presented original scholarship, from colleges and universities across the nation. Since 2002, over sixty five Lake Forest College students have presented at Argonne.
Students intern at Chicago’s premiere rehabilitation centers
A recent agreement between Lake Forest College and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago addresses the growing interest among psychology and neuroscience majors to pursue a field in occupational therapy.
Noted sleep expert to give public lecture on September 20
The Lake Forest College Neuroscience Program, Biology Department, Beta Beta Beta (the biology honorary) and SYNAPSE (the neuroscience student organization) invites the public to a lecture entitled “What Molecular Genetics Can Tell Us About How We Wake Up and Why We Sleep” by Dr. Ravi Allada on Thursday, September 20 at 4:15 pm, in Meyer Auditorium located in Hotchkiss Hall. A reception will begin at 4:00 pm.
Ten science undergraduate scholars pursue cutting-edge research in Chicago area medical schools
Ten Lake Forest College science majors aiming to be future health professionals and scientists conducted cutting-edge research in a variety of medically related areas, including neuroscience, cell and molecular pharmacology, cell biology and anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, psychology, and physiology and biophysics this summer at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS), Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine.
Science majors shine five years in a row at the premier Midwest pharmacology conference
Lake Forest students have done it again for the fifth year in a row. Katrina Campbell ‘14 has won the Second Prize for undergraduate research at the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) meetingheld at the Rush University Medical Center in downtown Chicago on Friday, June 22.
Rosalind Franklin scholars published in journal
After working in a research lab at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) for the past two years, senior Ashley Reich will have her name on a published paper in the Nucleic Acids Research journal this summer.
National honorary Nu Rho Psi inauguration marks 2012 NeuroFrontiers Workshop
A Rosalind Franklin Medical School expert on Parkinson’s disease joins BIO346 Molecular Neuroscience students as these students role-play world famous neuroscientists at a unique annual scientific research conference on April 28 at Lake Forest College from 8 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. in Johnson Science Center Room 200 and at McCormick Auditorium. This workshop celebrates the inauguration of Gamma Chapter of Illinois of Nu Rho Psi (the national neuroscience honorary) at Lake Forest College.
Psychology students co-author memory article
Social and collaborative memory research by Lake Forest professor Matthew Kelley and students Kayla Ahlstrand ’12 and Carliann Pentz ’13 to be published in the Journal of Cognitive Psychology.
Student wins first prize at neuroscience meeting
Sydni Cole ’12 won first prize at the Chicago Society for Neuroscience (CSfN) meeting’s 10th Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition. Thirty-two undergraduates presented posters from several major midwest institutions, including three other Lake Forest College students.
Public neuroscience lecture features noted Lou Gehrig’s Disease pioneer on Feb. 6
The Lake Forest College Neuroscience Program, Biology Department, Beta Beta Beta (the biology honorary) SYNAPSE (the neuroscience student organization) invites the public to a lecture entitled “Bringing Neurodegeneration to Heel: Lessons from Lou Gehrig’s Disease” by Dr. Teepu Siddique on February 6 (Monday) at 4:15 pm, in Meyer auditorium (Hotchkiss Hall). A reception will begin at 3:45 pm.
Students present at DC neuroscience conference
Daniella Brutman `12 and Madhavi Senagolage `12 presented at the national Society for Neuroscience (SfN) meeting in Washington, DC November 12-16, 2011.
8th Annual Brain Awareness Week begins November 7
The 8th Annual Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is an innovative academic outreach program at the college with the overall goal to educate, educate, and engage on broad issues of Brain, Mind and Behavior. It will take place November 7-12 this year.
Student research recognized as “the best” at a national scientific meeting
Lynn Switaj ‘11 and Anneliese Szutenbach ‘12 were awarded the best student poster prize among undergraduates presenting at the 70th annual International Meeting of the Society of Developmental Biology held in Chicago (Illinois).
Students win awards to attend a national meeting and present scientific research, education, and outreach done at the college
Daniella Brutman ‘12 and Madhavi Senagolage ‘12 have received prestigious awards to attend the 2011 Society for Neuroscience meeting at the nation’s capital and present three quite different types of scholarly undergraduate activities they conducted at Lake Forest College that integrates undergraduate science education with biomedical research, community outreach, science journalism, and leadership.
Graduates get Parkinson’s disease research published
Eight biology alumni recently published two articles in scientific journals Parkinson’s Disease and ISRN Neurology culminating six years of undergraduate research conducted at Lake Forest.
Two biology majors win prizes at regional conference for neuroscience research
Keith Solvang ‘11 and Pascal Accoh ‘12 won first and third prizes, respectively, for undergraduate research at the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) meeting held at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago on Friday, June 10.
Students talk with Nobel Prize-winning scientists
A group of thirty-eight science students and faculty took a trip to attend the fourth annual Oliver Smithies Symposium at the University of Wisconsin in Madison on Thursday, May 19.
Fourteen science majors tapped as 2011 Lake Forest College-RFUMS Summer Fellows
Fourteen Lake Forest College science majors will begin conducting summer research in May in a variety of medically related areas, including cell and molecular pharmacology, neuroscience, cell biology and anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, and physiology and biophysics, through a special partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS).
Madhavi Senagolage ‘12 receives research honors at the Chicago neuroscience conference
Madhavi Senagolage ‘12 received the second prize for her conference presentation of neuroscience research entitled “Genetic support for endocytosis as degradation route for alpha-synuclein, the Parkinson’s disease protein.”
Seventh edition of Eukaryon features public lecture on cholesterol regulation
The Department of Biology celebrates the 2011 edition of Eukaryon, the College’s unique undergraduate research journal of life science scholarship, with a “Science for the Public” seminar delivered by a Lake Forest College alumnus.
Public Neuroscience Lecture on Movement Disorders on Feb. 23
The Lake Forest College neuroscience program and SYNAPSE (the neuroscience student organization) invites the public to a lecture entitled “Neurodegeneration: Role of Flow in Motion” by Dr. Puneet Opal on February 23 (Wednesday) at 4:15 pm, in Meyer auditorium (Hotchkiss Hall). A reception will begin at 3:45 pm.
First Year Students Conduct Brain Outreach with North Chicago Elementary Schools
In Fall 2010, on November 30 and December 2, twenty-eight students of the two sections of the FIYS106 Medical Mysteries: Neuroscience in Chicago course, taught by Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Shubhik DebBurman, partnered with the student organization SYNAPSE and the College’s North Chicago Partners program, and conducted an innovative capstone brain outreach with elementary school children from North Chicago that replaced the traditional final exam for that course and exposed young eager minds to the amazing human brain and its mysteries.
Alumna to explain multiple sclerosis during keynote lecture at the 2010 Hostage Brain Conference
D’Anne Duncan ’04, current Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, will give a public lecture at Lake Forest College on Saturday, December 4 at 12:15 p.m. Aimed at a general audience, Duncan’s presentation, titled “When Cells of the Immune System Hijack the Brain: What Goes Wrong in Multiple Sclerosis?”, will be held in Room 200 in Johnson Science Center. The public is welcome to attend free of charge.
Lake Forest psychology grad gets research published right out of college
A Lake Forest alumna who took full advantage of her off-campus study program in London and research experience with the College’s neuroscience faculty while a student here gets her study published in prestigious journal.
Neuroscience program mentioned in Chicago Tribune
The College’s neuroscience program is mentioned in a local column.
Prof. Guglielmi wins $84,000 grant for bilingual education research
Lake Forest College Professor of Psychology Sergio Guglielmi has received an $83,430 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Research, to fund his research on the academic achievement of Limited English Proficient students. Guglielmi was the only faculty member from a liberal arts college among the 52 awards granted by the Center for fiscal year 2009.