Michael Janeçek ’18

Area(s) of Study
Neuroscience and History majors
Hometown
Prague, Czech Republic
How did you choose your area of study?
Originally, art therapy with survivors of sexual abuse compelled me to do psychology, but I realized that only a progressive and interdisciplinary focus would satiate my curiosity. After mustering enough courage, I stumbled into Dr. Shubhik DebBurman’s office one Friday afternoon to figure out my options. Next thing I knew, my soul was sold to neuroscience. Wild notions of thoughts and memories modifying the molecular substrates of our brains, expressed through behavior, intrigued me to no end. Engaging philosophy, psychology, my beloved history, and basic sciences, I got to critically examine the cutting edge of who we are. Working with Dr. Joanna Dabrowska at Rosalind Franklin University on how social interaction provides resilience to stress inspired me to strongly consider a career of research and teaching, and while the future is full of surprises, equipped with this neuroscience degree, I am confident to have something to offer wherever I go.