Student Voices

Holly Sikora, '10

Major: Neuroscience (with Honors in the Major)
Minors: Chemistry, biology and psychology
Hometown: Kenosha, Wis.

Holly Sikora got hooked on science in high school after taking an AP Psychology course.

"The part of the course I enjoyed the most was learning about the brain's role in behavior," she says. "After that, I was determined to learn as much as I could about how the brain processes information and what roles it takes in bodily functioning."

She started out as a biology major, but after taking Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience, she decided to major in neuroscience with minors in biology, chemistry and psychology.

"The material we learned in class was so fascinating," she explains. "It turned out to be the best decision of my college career."

She values the research experience she's had and says it will "definitely be beneficial to developing a career in neuroscience after college. I enjoy that the department has only a few professors because as a student, you can develop deeper relationships with the professors and they really get to know you as a person and not just a name on the class roster."

Favorite professor: "I have currently had all of my neuroscience classes with Dr. Miller, naturally making him my favorite," she says. "Dr. Miller engages the class in learning by relating the subject matter to the 'big picture' and occasionally to situations that are normally experienced by college students. It is also beneficial that he shows great enthusiasm for each subject."

Favorite class: "Research Methods in Neuroscience has absolutely been my favorite class. I loved all the hands-on experiences we had using various neuroscience techniques, including surgery, behavioral data collection, euthanasia and histology. There were some weeks that I chose to attend more than my required lab section because I found the laboratory time very enjoyable."

Toughest class: "Neuroscience II: Electrical & Chemical Properties. This class involved many different subject matters of the related sciences, chemistry, biology and even physics. I learned new information and could clearly see the relations between each of these fields with neuroscience."

Opportunities she'd had at Carthage: "The smaller class sizes is truly a benefit at Carthage. Learning is more of an interactive process, allowing students to really grasp what they are being taught. This also allows for more time being able to speak with professors; I have not yet had a professor who did not make the extra time to spend time with students one on one or leading a group review session. The research experience available for neuroscience students is exceptional. At most undergraduate institutions, students would not get the chance to have such an active role in all the techniques learned by the neuroscience students at Carthage. Also, the neuroscience department at Carthage was responsible for the summer internship I participated in and had the opportunity to perform neuroscience research at Abbott Laboratories, where I was pleasantly surprised to find several Carthage neuroscience graduates. On campus, I participate in several organizations: I am the secretary for Beta Beta Beta (National Biology Honors Fraternity); the head of the cancer education committee for Colleges Against Cancer, which runs the annual Relay for Life; and a member of Theta Chi Delta (Chemistry Honors Fraternity) and the Pre-Health Club."

Favorite moments at Carthage: "I currently have two jobs on campus that I really enjoy. One of my jobs involves working for the Office of College Relations, where I have met several other Carthage students, including international students. Over my time spent working there, I have developed close relationships with the people I work with and many lifelong friendships. My second job on campus is being a lab assistant. I have worked as an in class lab assistant for biology and chemistry courses and have helped students learn to think more clearly about the subject being explored in different laboratory exercises. This also benefited my learning by reviewing material I have already learned and increasing my ability to remember the material."

Favorite spot on campus: "I commute to Carthage, making most of my time spent in the Straz, where the natural science labs and courses are taught. If I had to pick my favorite there, then it would definitely be the neuroscience laboratory. Spending time in there brings me joy. There was a time where I had spent a couple hours doing a solo surgery and came home and discovered that I had a fever just over 101° and hadn't realized it."

Biggest surprises so far: "All of the opportunities available for the neuroscience program. With all I have received from the teachers and experiences at Carthage, I am certain that I will have many opportunities available to me after graduation. I owe much of my success to Carthage's Neuroscience Department. Also, most high school students, as I once was, imagine professors as being very strict and unhelpful; but when I began my courses at Carthage, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the teachers are open and willing to make time for you and they are understanding if any problems arise."

Advice for students considering neuroscience: "If you have any interest in neuroscience, I ABSOLUTELY recommend becoming a neuroscience major at Carthage. As I have said before, I owe much of my success to the neuroscience program; it gave me the knowledge and experience necessary to excel and be successful in this field."

Career goal: "I hope to become a physician-scientist (MD & PhD) focusing on the neuroscience behind pain processing, giving me the ability to work with patients and be the lead investigator in several research projects."

Student Voices

Jamie Hamill, '11

"Toughest class? Research in Neuroscience Methods, learning new skills in the rat lab, like surgeries and brain histology." Read more.

Courtney Snelten, '10

"Neuroscience is perfect for me. ... I am fascinated by the brain and its capacity for so many things. Read more.

Dana Watt, '10

"Favorite professor? Dan Miller. He truly believes in his students, and is brilliant (and hilarious) to boot." Read more.

Holly Sikora, '10

"I loved all the hands-on experiences we had using various neuroscience techniques, including surgery, behavioral data collection, euthanasia and histology. There were some weeks that I chose to attend more than my required lab section because I found the laboratory time very enjoyable." Read more.

David Reis, '10

This fall, David and his research partner will have the opportunity to attend a professional neuroscience conference and present their research in Vermont. Read more