May-June, 2013: Each of these NBB undergraduates blogged about their experiences and neuroscience while they were in Paris.
Sehe Han: I am a senior at Emory studying neuroscience and behavioral biology. My area of research is in the influence of sleep in memory consolidation, and I cannot wait to embrace the rich history of French neurology! Outside of neuroscience, I enjoys the creative process of making “stuff” whether it’s a carefully embroidered garden landscape using over twenty colors of neatly stitched thread, a nineteenth-century English-style theatre set with ten feet high walls, the demanding viola part of Beethoven’s infamous Ninth Symphony or a nice simple cocktail. In her 2013 NBB summer program, I love wandering around the roads of Paris and listening to the beautiful fluctuating tones of the French language. Sehe will post on June 12, 19, and 26th.
Mayur Patel: Bonjour! I’m Mayur, a Neuroscience student at Emory University. I’ve always been interested in learning what makes us tick, especially in light of the mechanisms of connections in the brain. This trip is my chance to explore Neuroscience in a new venue, Paris. Between walks along the Seine and munching on a baguette, I’ll show you how Neuroscience is applicable all around the city of love. Allons-y! Mayur will post on June 11, 18, and 25th.
James Eun: Pleasure found in taste, in sight and all the other senses are what makes life worth living. What better way to live life than in Paris, where the intricacies of culinary was born and where acres of flourishing green are found. And what can be more intriguing than learning how all those sensory information is coded in the brain and understanding all the subtle differences between the pathways so that we may one day be able to fully manipulate in order to restore and even create. James will post on June 12, 19, and 26th.
Ankita Gumaste: I am a rising senior at Emory University majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. I am interested in studying neuroscience because I think that the nervous system includes some of the most fascinating and intricate mechanisms in the human body. Additionally, I am interested in studying in France because I have studied the French language for a number of years and am eager to learn more about the language and culture. Ankita will post on June 12, 19, and 26th.
Emily Berthiaume: I am going into my senior year at Emory University double majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Chemistry. I currently work in Dr. Samuel Sober’s research laboratory investigating delayed auditory feedback in Bengalese finch songbirds. Neuroscience is fascinating to me because there is still so much to be discovered about why animals and humans behave the way that they do. This experience in Paris, however, is equally intriguing because of the opportunity to discover the history behind what is known about the brain. Emily will post on June 11, 18, and 25th.
Maxwell Farina: I’m a rising senior majoring in NBB and Music Performance. I play saxophone and piano, and although music has been and always will be a life passion of mine, I am pursing a career in neuroscientific medicine. I find it absolutely compelling that the brain, which we all use constantly, is shrouded in such mystery, and I cannot imagine a more difficult (and satisfying) puzzle to investigate. Max will post on June 12, 19, and 26th.
Eric Yao: My name is Eric Yao, I am an uprising senior at Emory majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and minoring in economics. I am fascinated by neuroscience because it is one of the most complex and least understood parts of the human body. I am especially interested in how single neurons ultimately define out perception, behavior, and personality. France is a wonderful place for a neuroscience program due to its rich history in neuroscience and delicious baguettes! Eric will post on June 11, 18, and 25th.
Sarah Harrington: I am super excited to have the opportunity to study abroad in Paris. I have never been abroad but I believe that this will broaden my world view to different cultures. I’m equally as interested in learning about the neuroscience that Paris has to offer. The plasticity and complexity of the brain has always fascinated me and I can’t wait to explore it further with such a great group this summer. Sarah will post on June 12, 19, and 26th.
Camden MacDowell: I am a rising junior neuroscience and behavioral biology major at Emory University. I’m specifically interested in computational neuroscience, neural coding, and brain to computer interfaces. I came to Paris to learn about it’s rich history of neuroscience research. Camden will post on June 11, 18, and 25th.
Sam Yang: My name is Sam and I am a rising 3rd year student at Emory University. I am drawn towards understanding neuroscience because I have always wondered why we act, think, and behave the way we do, especially in the context of a dynamic and plastic brain. I am hoping that my experiences in Paris will continue to shine upon that goal of understanding the human condition, and by understanding more about the world around me, I can grow to appreciate both the similarities and unique diversity of the 7 billion different minds and life-experiences across the globe. Sam will post on June 12, 19, and 26th.
Noareen Ahmed: My name is Noareen Ahmed and I am a rising senior at Emory University from Syosset, New York pursuing a major in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a minor in Behavioral Economics. My undergraduate studies and research are centered around the physiological implications of mental imagery and neuroplasticity as a product of guided mental practice. My overall interest in neuroscience as a discipline comes from a holistic appreciation that bridges the humane, artistic elements of science with the objective, empirical need for cutting edge scientific discovery. Studying in Paris, France this summer will, for me, magnify the link of subjectivity, surroundings and cultural influences over the objective nature of scientific discovery. Noareen will post on June 11, 18, and 25th.