NSCS Ambassadors
Geethika Ameneni
"Hi everyone! My name is Geethika Ameneni, my pronouns are she/her, and I am a sophomore double majoring in NSCS and MCB with a minor in Spanish. I work in Dr. Janet Funk's lab, where I study the process in which ER+ breast cancer cells undergo quiescence, allowing them to hide in the bone and proliferate at sudden times, causing bone metastatic cancer. After graduation, I hope to attend medical school with a combined degree program to earn my MD/MPH (master's in Public Health). Outside of school, I love to invent new recipes and share my cooking with family and friends, learn different styles of dance, and lose myself in a good book!"
Shruti Attreya
shrutiattreya@email.arizona.edu
"Hi everyone! My name is Shruti Attreya (she/her/hers), and I am a sophomore graduating in May 2023. In addition to being on the Neuroscience track with an emphasis in neurobiology, I am also double majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences and minoring in Spanish. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school, but I am also considering combined MD-PhD or MD-MPH programs. My dream is to open my own medical practice someday, help treat patients with neurodegenerative disorders, and explore health innovation by increasing access to medical care for people experiencing health disparities. On campus, I am an Honors College Ambassador and a member of NSCSAS. I also work in the Koshy Lab, researching how the brain parasite, T.gondii, uniquely affects the brain and may be potentially used to treat certain neurological diseases. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, photography, watching crime dramas, trying out new flavors of boba teas, and going on fun adventures in Tucson with my friends!"
Julia Bonnici
"My name is Julia Bonnici and I go by the pronouns she/her/hers. I am currently a senior who is majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with an emphasis in Neurobiology and minoring in Psychology and Biochemistry and I am expecting to graduate in Spring 2021. I currently work on campus as an EMT through UAEMS and serve as the Captain of Training, I am a second year RA in the dorms, and I love spending my free time with friends hiking or doing a fun activity! After graduation, I plan on getting my Master's degree in my gap year before applying to medical school."
Hannah Burns
"Hi! My name is Hannah Burns (she/her/hers) and I'm a sophomore graduating in the spring of 2023. I'm in the Neuroscience track and working on minor in Spanish. I am a research assistant in the Neuroscience of Empathy and Thought (NET) lab and am currently researching empathy in couples. Outside of academics, I love hiking and finding lots of good restaurants around Tucson! After graduating, I'm planning on going to grad school and continuing to be involved in research."
Joanna Eckhardt
"Hello, my name is Joanna Eckhardt (she/her/hers) and I am a senior on the neuroscience track with a neurobiology emphasis. I conduct research in Dr. Miller's Parkinson's disease lab and serve as a preceptor for NSCS courses. I am also a desk manager at the Villa del Puente Residence Hall. Outside of school I like to play soccer, watch anime, and hangout with friends. After I graduate in May 2021, I plan to attend graduate school and eventually earn a PhD to become a professor and researcher of neuroscience."
Libby Egleson
"Hi everyone! I'm Libby Egleson, and I'm a junior graduating in May 2022. I just joined the NSCS major in the spring and am in the process of choosing an emphasis in the cognition track. I'm particularly interested in perception and consciousness, so I'm looking forward to exploring those areas. I am an animal and nature lover and am always expanding my plant collection indoors and outside. When I have free time, I attack my endless reading list, watch classic movies and science fiction, or head downtown for some live music."
Charlie Gallego
"Hey everyone! My name is Charlie Gallego (he/him) and I will be graduating in May of 2021. Aside from majoring in Neuroscience, I am also in the process of minoring in Biochemistry and Spanish. I love participating in clinical shadowing, and during the summer my favorite thing to do is volunteer with international non-profit organizations aimed at providing free medical, dental, and social care to those in need. Following graduation, I hope to attend medical school!"
Frankie Garcia
frankiegarcia16@email.arizona.edu
"Hi friends! My name is Frankie, and I’m a junior double majoring in NSCS and Math with a minor in Biochemistry. I spent the first 8 years of my life on a farm, so I guess you could say I have a little ‘yee haw’ in my heart. I’m in Dr. Kristian Doyle’s lab studying the crossover between stroke and dementia. Apart from academics, I participate in various ensembles at the U of A, like the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, where I play my Alto Saxophone. I eventually hope to attend medical school, after a gap year, to become a neurosurgeon. I enjoy reading (feel free to email any book suggestions), playing tennis, and going on pointless adventures with my friends! One of my greatest passions is community outreach, so please email me with any questions you might have – ambassador related or not."
Abby Gentzler
abigailgentzler@email.arizona.edu
"Hi! My name is Abby (she/her/hers), and I am a senior graduating in May 2021. I am on the Neuroscience track with an emphasis in Cognition. I also am minoring in Biochemistry. Aside from academics, I am a research assistant for a pharmacology lab and I volunteer for multiple organizations, including Banner-UMC and the American Red Cross. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar. Ultimately, I hope to attend medical school."
Haley Kenner
"Hi! I'm Haley (she/her/hers), and I am a senior graduating in May 2021. In addition to a Neurobiology emphasis on the Neuroscience track, I have minors in Biochemistry and Mathematics. On campus I am a part of ASUA's Student Health Advocacy Committee as well as working as a math tutor at Think Tank. This year I am applying to medical school, I'm not sure yet what specialty I want to pursue, but my goal is to one day have my own private practice!"
Micayla Miller
micaylarmiller@email.arizona.edu
"Hi everyone! My name is Micayla, pronouns she/her/hers, and I am super excited to be an NSCS ambassador this year! I am currently a sophomore pursuing the neuroscience track with an emphasis on neurobiology. I am also in the process of adding a minor in nutrition. My current goal is to eventually earn a PhD in neuroscience and to go into researching neurodegenerative diseases, although I go back and forth between this and going to medical school. Outside of school I love playing soccer, going on hikes and adventures, and basically doing anything active. I also love talking to people and hearing their stories and aspirations so feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Nupur Parikh
"I'm a Junior, and I am so excited to be a NSCS Ambassador because it gives me an opportunity to give back to my major that I am so in love with. Along with that, I have met some of the most amazing people through becoming an ambassador that has helped me not only in class, but in networking, making connections, and just become a better student and person! I am so excited to see what the rest of this year holds as well as the future! In my free time, I love to sing, play the piano, and go on spontaneous adventures with my friends and roommates!"
Gigi Ruiz
"Hi! My name is Gigi (she/her/hers) and I am a sophomore double majoring in NSCS and Pharmaceutical Sciences. I work in Dr. Riegel's lab where I study the serotonergic mechanisms involved in cocaine addiction in rat models. After I graduate, I'm planning on teaching abroad for a few years and getting a master's in neuropharmacology before pursuing an MD/Ph.D. In my free time, I love running, teaching little kids to play the piano, and exploring the outdoors!"
Laasya Vallabhaneni
vallabhaneni@email.arizona.edu
"Hey everyone, my name is Laasya Vallabhaneni and I am a rising senior in the neuroscience track with an emphasis is aging and development, with minors in bio-chemistry and studio art. I am a student researcher with the SCAN lab doing research on traumatic brain injury. On campus, my favorite activity that I am part of is being the president of Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research. After graduation, I hope to travel during the summer and then do a masters degree in healthcare delivery before applying to medical school! Outside of school, I love hanging out with my friends and getting a bite to eat!"