This panel highlights a range of research from neuroscience and microbiology, demonstrating the impact of lab work on scientific discovery and professional growth. One study focuses on spinal cord injury recovery by co-transplanting human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocyte progenitors and interneurons to restore respiratory function in a rat model. Another project explores Clostridioides difficile, a major cause of recurrent healthcare-associated infections, emphasizing the need for treatments that target bacterial colonization and spore dissemination. Additionally, research on chronic unpredictable stress in adolescent Sprague Dawley rats examines the effects of stress and negative cognitive bias across sex and age differences to further depression treatment. A final study investigates adolescent social instability stress on cognitive bias in male and female rats, revealing sex-specific differences in stress responses. These projects span cellular therapy, bacterial pathogenesis, and behavioral neuroscience, showcasing how undergraduate research informs therapeutic innovation and shapes career trajectories in science.

Moderator: Andre White, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Engineering Astrocyte Progenitor Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Novel Therapy for Spinal Cord Repair
Paige Gershuny ’25, Biochemistry major

Exploring non-toxin antigen targets for Immunization against Clostridioides Difficile Infection
Audrey Womer ’26, Biology and Spanish double major & Culture, Health and Science

Mind Over Scatter: Stress, Rats, and Cognitive Bias
Angelina Amato ’25, Neuroscience & Behavior major, Psychology minor, & Cognitive Neuroscience Certificate

Taking the Leap! My Time Working in a Neuroscience Lab
Grace Elizabeth Simpson ’25, Psychology & Religion double major