Indicate any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records

• Psychology Minor

Degree Mentors

• Michelle Starz-Gaiano, Biological Sciences
• Fernando Vonhoff, Biological Sciences
• Jose Arenas, Individualized Study

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

When I entered UMBC I was initially a biology major, but after looking over the required courses for the degree, I realized that it was not the right path for me. In choosing a major that encompassed only one field of study, I would not have been able to adequately represent the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience that makes it so interesting and unique.  By choosing to major in INDS however, I was able to seamlessly incorporate all of these diverse, yet equally important perspectives.  In doing so, I feel that I've created a degree that prepares me to both continue my neuroscience education, as well as for any future career endeavors in the field.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school in the hopes of obtaining a PhD in Neuroscience. This will be necessary if I hope to achieve my ultimate goal of going into neuroscience research, focusing specifically on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. My INDS degree will be supremely useful for these endeavors, as it has not only helped me to gain specialized knowledge of my field, but also skills and experience that will make me a more well-rounded candidate when applying.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Eco-Ambassador, STEM LLC
• Orientation Peer Ambassador (OPA)  
• Volunteer, Catonsville YMCA Branch of MS Aquatics, through the Shriver Center (UMBC)
• Internship as Program Coordinator, STEMcx Bioethics   
• Researcher, Gigantest lab, under on Dr. Anne Le
• Researcher on proSAAS effects on Abeta, as well as structure-function analysis of proSAAS, Dr. Iris Lindburg's Lab, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB)  
• Research Presenter at URCAD 2024| Investigating the Potential Role of the Molecular Chaperone ProSAAS in Protecting Neurons against Degeneration 

For more information on Madison's INDS journey please click here: