Explore the research programs run by our Neuroscience faculty, and discover how our students conduct and present scientific research of their own.
Dr. Shelley investigates the molecular basis of behavior through a combination of patch clamp electrophysiology on isolated sea urchin cells and behavioral pharmacology of live urchins.The lab is particularly interested in the functioning of the ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors that underlie the generation of electrical activity and behavior in sea urchins.
Dr. Cammack’s research explores how drugs of abuse impact behavior. Specifically, she is interested in how abused drugs alter normal brain processes like learning, memory, and motivation; how sex differences and hormones alter drug seeking; and why similar individuals respond differently to the same drug. Her current research explores how prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, cause short- and long-term changes to motivation-related circuits in the brains of males and females.
Dr. Kikis studies the aberrant proteins that underlie neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is one of several autosomal dominant disorders in which a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion leads to “toxic gain of function” caused by the adoption of a misfolded or aggregated state associated with proteotoxicity.
Dr. Reppert investigates the relationship between motor control and perceptual decision making. He uses eye movement metrics to ask questions such as: Why do some people make consistently faster movements than others? Why do we often make more errors when we are pressed for time? His work focuses on how motivational state and attentional control shape behavior.
Sewanee students conduct research alongside our Neuroscience faculty during the academic year and summer. These co-curricular opportunities build core competencies in undergraduate neuroscience education and career readiness, including analytic and scientific thinking, an understanding of rigorous and responsible conduct of research, communication skills, professionalism, and leadership. Many of our students have published their work in peer-reviewed journals and/or presented their work at scientific conferences.
Seif Selim (C’23) stays busy. A neuroscience major with minors in psychology and biology, Selim has somehow found the time to serve as the president of the Organization for Cross-Cultural Understanding, tutor his peers in biology, join the Interfaith Council and fencing and neuroscience clubs, and study abroad in Denmark during his junior year. Perhaps most importantly, Selim also found his way into neuroscience labs at Sewanee and elsewhere—experiences that not only complemented his coursework, but also helped him confirm his passions and set a course for his future.
Madison Reid is a junior Neuroscience and Psychology double major. She fell in love with the brain sciences after taking introductory neuroscience and psychology courses during her freshman year at Sewanee. After hearing about all the research going on in these fields, she knew she found what she wanted to do, and her summer and semester at Yale were an incredible addition to her path.
I had the incredible opportunity of working in Dr. Cammack's lab this summer, in which we explored a cocaine antagonist and performed conditioned place preference with mice. It felt like such an accomplishment to gain valuable skills, such as maintaining/caring for the mice, staining estrous samples with cresyl violet and distinguishing the stages under a microscope, and analyzing data from the conditioned place preference tests. We put this all together on a poster, which was very rewarding and will continue to keep updating as we go!
Being a neuroscience major and working at Dr. Shelley's lab has really allowed me to explore my opportunities and love for the field. I have enjoyed exploring all different fields of neuroscience as it allows me to see how our brain works in many different ways and how there are different aspects that make us who we are
“Sewanee is a great place to study neuroscience because of the community. Classes are small enough that your professors will know your name, and you are able to get to know their research and maybe even help them with it! The department is also good about sending out different internship and grad school opportunities that are around, which has helped me to explore the field and get experience outside of Sewanee. I have been grateful for the commitment that the Neuro Program has had to making us more knowledgeable in their field, and I would highly recommend Sewanee to anyone looking into neuro!”
Students seeking opportunities to conduct independent research, under the guidance of a faculty member, may apply to become Research Fellow in the Life Sciences, Sewanee's most prestigious pathway to earning honors in biology.
A diverse and developing collection of innovative collaborations between Sewanee and Yale School of Medicine combining the unique strengths these two institutions offer tremendous possibilities for students, faculty, and community partners both on the Mountain and in New Haven. Our cross-institutional collaborations range from courses to research projects to community engagement efforts. The partnership between these two institutions continues to grow and evolve and the opportunities are many.
The GURP conference offers a great outlet for newly engaged social scientists in the southeastern United States to present their research in a professional setting and provides students an opportunity to develop professional skills, learn about research at regional colleges and universities, and connect with students and faculty who share an interest in research.
Sewanee had two research students win awards this year at the 19th annual GURP! Daniela Dueñas-Pincay, C'23 (above) won the 2nd Best Poster Award at the conference and Abood Najjar, C'25 (below) won the 3rd Best Poster Award.
Click here to find out more about the GURP conference.
Sewanee’s undergraduate research program gives students the opportunity to explore new ideas, sharpen their research skills, and get a head start on a career or graduate school. Almost a quarter of students here were involved in mentored research projects last year, in the sciences (of course)—but also in the arts, English, politics, and more. Students have the chance to wow their peers by giving talks and presenting posters during Scholarship Sewanee, the annual celebration of student scholarship and creativity.
As a pre-health student, you’ll be surrounded by an environment of support and opportunity. Enriching curriculum, clinical internships, expansive advising, and a strong alumni network combine to create a solid foundation for your medical career. The structure of programs help ensure that you are well-prepared for your journey after Sewanee.
The Sewanee-at-Yale internship is an eight-week experience in biomedical research at the Yale Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine. Interns are placed in research laboratories, exposed to clinical settings, and get to see the day-to-day workings of a behavioral neuroscience research laboratory.
The Journal of Sewanee Science, a semiannual magazine, was founded in 2015 as a venue for Sewanee students to highlight their work. All research articles are reviewed by Sewanee alumni, giving both past and current students the opportunity to participate in, and learn from, the process of scientific publishing. The Advent 2018 issue features Amanda Watters and her research on pre-gestational oxycodone exposure and its impacts on maternal motivation, caregiving, and drug seeking.
