Current Student Research


Some of the research projects currently being carried out by students

All Neuroscience students conduct a research project in their senior year. There are a number of interesting projects to choose from; some ongoing projects are listed below. On completion of their project, each student is expected to present their data at an appropriate regional or national conference.


Rebecca Walter

(Advised by Dr. Robertson) The effects of Acetylcholine disruption on olfaction in Drosophila melanogaster, for an independent study


Samantha Botzum

(Advised by Dr. Robertson) Characterization of GABA expression in the Drosophila brain, for her Capstone project


Andrew Bennett

(Advised by Dr. Robertson) The effects of GABA disruption on olfaction in Drosophila, Capstone

Michael Romeo

(Advised by Dr. Lunnen) Teratogenic effects of ethylene glycol and 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole on zebrafish embryonic development

David Mills

(Advised by Dr. Gittis) David is an honors student and is headed to medical school. David is investigating how the injection of neuroprotective agents reduces the behavioral trauma produced by brain injury. David is presenting his research at the Northeast Undergraduate Research Organization in Neuroscience meeting at Hunter College in New York. He was also asked to be a participant on a panel discussing translational research in undergraduate settings.


Melissa Gnech

(Advised by Dr. Gittis) Melissa is an honors student and plans to attend graduate school. Her work evaluated the effect social housing plays in reducing the consequences of drug induced stress. Melissa is presenting her research at the Northeast Undergraduate Research Organization in Neuroscience meeting at Hunter College in New York. She was also asked to be a participant on a panel discussing translational research in undergraduate settings.


Jake Martinez

(Advised by Dr. Gittis) Jake will be going on to a physician’s assistant program, studied the impact of an anti-depressant drugs impact of behavioral development and decision making. Jake presented his research at the Eastern Psychological Association meeting in Pittsburgh and is presenting his research at the Northeast Undergraduate Research Organization in Neuroscience meeting at Hunter College in New York.

Alex Alfieri

(Advised by Dr. Gittis) Alex is starting her honor’s project is who is investigating an animal model of autism and the use of oxytocin to combat the symptoms.

Hillary Newman

(Advised by Dr. Lunnen) A multi-perspective evaluation of the effects of pain sensitivity and injury anxiety on subjective and objective measures of athletic performancet.


Jessica Miklosovic

(Advised by Dr. Lunnen) Differences in oculomotor activity and ERP between obsessive-compulsive symptomatic and non-symptomatic individuals in response to disgusting visual stimuli.