My name is Desirée and I am a senior at SUNY Albany majoring
in Physics. I have been a member of the lab since Fall 2017. I have taken on
the role of the lab’s Computer Aided Design (CAD) designer and 3D printing enthusiast.
From PCR combs to behavioral apparatus, 3D printing has allowed us to develop tools
that are useful for our specific research needs. The possibilities are endless!
I have also been practicing my coding skills and learning methods of
statistical analysis.
Aside from working in the lab, I was a board member for
Volunteers Around the World, where I, along with 22 other aspiring health care
professionals, traveled to the Dominican Republic to shadow doctors, distribute
pharmaceuticals to residents of impoverished areas, and teach a hygiene class
to an orphanage. I also attended Hackathons, including HackRU, HackRPI, and
MedHacks at John’s Hopkins (you can find me on the MedHacks Instagram page
demonstrating my prototype of a glove-donning device!). I love designing, and I
have developed quite the portfolio of CAD designs, scientific illustrations,
and 3D printed tools and toys (playing Overcooked and Mario Kart on the
Nintendo Switch has never been more addicting since I made controller adapters).
Upon hearing about Dr. Scimemi’s lab and how its members come
from many different backgrounds, I realized that neuroscience is truly multidisciplinary.
It combines biology, chemistry, physics and even engineering and math in order
to fully understand the most important, and puzzling, organ: the brain.
In the lab, we are expected to be independent and work
autonomously, but have the amazing support from Dr. Scimemi and the other lab
members. We are also given amazing opportunities to network with people in the
field through the Society for Neuroscience and events not only at SUNY Albany,
but other universities as well. The main takeaway is that Dr. Scimemi’s lab
environment encourages risk taking and delving further into your interests for
a unique development of passion and curiosity.
If you are thinking about joining the lab, remember to embrace
your talents and interest and know that there is always room for you in the
quest for scientific exploration!
Desirée D’Moore
Desirée is the
recipient of the following award:
2018 Situation
Interactive Prize for Experience Research
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