Year in program: 2024
Learning about neuroanatomy, dissecting brains, and performing cutting-edge research. These were just a few of the fascinating experiences the 2024 Neurocamp cohort encountered during their two weeks at UCLA. From the moment I walked in to the second I walked out, I was learning. Throughout the first couple of days, I learned about the intricacies of brain structure and function from Dr. Elena Dominguez’s captivating lectures, which delved into neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Best of all, however, I was able to apply my knowledge to hands-on brain and spinal cord dissections. In the following days, Dr. William Grisham familiarized the class with Dr. David Glanzman’s novel research on epigenetic changes in untrained Aplysia after being injected with RNA from trained Aplysia. After learning about his research, we conducted a similar experiment with earthworms and received some results that aligned with Dr. Glanzman’s pioneering work. It was truly a great feeling to be part of such a progressive field of research. Beyond the hands-on work and lectures, my connections with peers and professors were the most memorable. Being around people with similar interests and aspirations made my love for neuroscience even more profound; however, meeting Dr. Dominguez was paramount to my experiences at Neurocamp. With great interest in computational neuroscience but little guidance, I felt lost; however, Dr. Dominguez patiently answered my questions regarding a paper I was reading and thoughtfully recommended online resources to help me further my research on the topic. Neruocamp is not only a place to learn but also a place to connect with others and deepen your interest in the vast range of neuroscience topics.