NEW TO COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND ALREADY INVOLVED IN RESEARCH

Students in the M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience get involved in research from the get-go. In early September, Nikki Gerohristodoulos, who just started the program, was at the Graduate Center to participate in an experiment with fellow students. 

She spoke to us about her research and how it feels to be learning in person. 

GC: Tell us about your research. 

Gerohristodoulos: I have just begun working in Dr. Tony Ro’s lab. I plan to research multi-sensory integration and the consequences of our near constant audio and visual exposure from technology. I will also assist with ongoing synesthesia research already being done by the lab. 

GC: How does it feel to be back at the Graduate Center conducting research?

Gerohristodoulos: As this is my first year, I don’t really have anything to compare it to. I feel very lucky to have access to the different resources that the Grad Center has to offer and be able to have the experience of working with the lab equipment.  

GC: Are you taking in-person classes as well? If so, what is that like? 

Gerohristodoulos: I have one class on campus. It gives me an idea of how different it would be to have all my lectures at the GC and I hope that this will eventually be the case. 

GC: Why did you choose to get an M.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Graduate Center?

Gerohristodoulos: The caliber of the other students in the class as well as the class size were both motivators for me. The curriculum will set me up for a career in academia in a unique way that only the Graduate Center is able to do because of the esteemed professors instructing the courses. 

GC: How’s the program going for you?

Gerohristodoulos: So far, I’ve been enjoying my classes and while the course load is dense, the lay out of the curriculum makes it manageable.  

GC: What are you hoping to do next once you have your degree? 

Gerohristodoulos: I plan to move forward in my career in academia and receive my Ph.D. in Neuroscience.