Neurasmus cohort 2016-2018

I'm originally from Canada. During my Bachelor's, I had the opportunity to complete one year of my studies in Amsterdam, which is where I first realized my passion for experiencing other cultures and learning in an international environment. These realizations led me to Neurasmus. During the Neurasmus program, I completed my first year at the University of Bordeaux, and my second year at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. Neurasmus gave me the opportunity to experience the academic and research environments of multiple european countries, all in an international setting. After graduating, I plan to start a PhD program in Europe.

I studied computer engineering and cognitive science in Tehran, worked in Iran and then joined Neurasmus for my Master's in neuroscience. Books: J.D.Salinger's; Movies: Space Odyssey, the tree of life and Blade Runner What else? Maths, Philosophy of mind, recently “information theory” and also writing. And of course, I do love neuroscience (Inspiration: Sapolsky and Friston). I love to explore and experience. That is why I am doing science. Science is fun and what else is fun? Traveling and living in different cities with different cultures. That was what Neurasmus gave me. Great combination of science and life experience in Europe and also a great network of like-minded people.My goal as a researcher: Bridge the gap between computational, cognitive, and behavioral neuroscience.

I studied Criminology & Psychology for my bachelor, and this got me very curious of the biological factors of behavior. Neruotransmitters being part of an explanation for our emotions? Stored fear memories could also influence our reactions to certain stimulus? How is all this happening in our brain? I started to read more about it, and the following that I asked to myself, that would change my life pathway, was: “How are neuroscientists studying all these questions?” This is when I decided to become a neuroscientist and realize it by myself!The experience that I have had with Neurasmus has been marvelous! Having experience in a lab, making research for 6 months, has been one of the greatest things I´ve done. Living in two different countries has helped me to become an expert in problem solving even when I don´t speak the language perfectly.

When I first started the Neurasmus program, I thought I knew what to expect: I had worked in several labs over the five previous years, and I had been living away from home for the past four. Despite my familiarity with both research and living abroad, the time I spent in the program has been a whirlwind of new challenges and experiences, be they linguistic, cultural, or even gastronomic! I have grown immensely as a result of this program. I will be starting medical school in the fall, and whether my career ends up becoming purely clinical or retains some amount of research, I have no doubt that the skills I have honed while studying in the Neurasmus program will serve me well.

I am someone who has a big curiosity for learning and I always enjoy being in a stimulating environment. Neurasmus gave me a good opportunity to combine my passion with my career. It has been a really nice journey since the beginning and I believe that the academic and non-academic experience I gathered throughout these 2 years will help me to pursue my future goals.

I am from Canada and neuroscience has interested me for several years now. I completed a B.Sc. in Neurosciences at the University of Calgary, Canada and participated in the "Neurobiology and Neuropathology" track in Neurasmus. My first year was at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and now, I am completing my second year at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Neurasmus has given me the chance to explore different areas of neuroscience while being surrounded by amazing, new friends from all over the world

My name is Kjara and I within the field of Neurosciences I am highly fascinated by different processes involved in the signal transmission between synapses during health and disease. Being part of the Neurasmus team has not only allowed me to study at amazing international universities but also to conduct several interesting research projects in outstanding laboratories. After finishing my master’s degree, I will start my PhD at University College London in the United Kingdom.

My name is Lya Katarina Paas Oliveros; I was born in Mexico, but I am also German and Colombian. After finishing my studies in Psychology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, I joined Neurasmus in summer 2016. Besides learning about the intriguing processes underlying the nervous system and about fancy neuroscientific techniques, this program has helped me to widen my neuroscientific family around the world.I joined the "Neurobiology and Neuropathology" track with the goal to learn about (f)MRI brain connectivity analysis in neurological and/or neuropsychiatric patients, but also in healthy people. The journey started at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, my second hometown. I already had experience living there for some months in previous years, but I was eager to go back to this amazing city. During the first year, I had lectures on basic neurobiology and neuropathophysiology. In parallel, I did two lab rotations to learn to perform patch clamp experiments and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging analysis.I decided to go to the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for my second year because they offer advanced courses in the Clinical Neuroscience track. Now, I am about to start my Internship in which I will analyze the association between synaptic and axonal immunohistochemistry and structural brain connectivity with DTI in the healthy aging brain.Having completed the Neurasmus master's program, I wish to continue my neuroscientific journey performing a Ph.D. in the field of clinical and/or cognitive neuroscience.

Studied Psychology (B.Sc.) and Neuroscience (M.Sc.) in Heidelberg, Amsterdam and Berlin. Member of German National Academic Foundation, the NEURASMUS programme and German Neuroscience Society.Expertise: SPSS/R/Python, genome-wide association analysis, neuropsychological testing, MEG/EEG/sMRI, animal handling (rat/mouse).Research Interests: Complex trait genetics, adaptation in the auditory system & tinnitus, biomarker extraction from imaging dataGoals: Contributing to the transfer of science into society, both as an "occupational hazard" and as a science communicator.Neurasmus offered me the opportunity to meet highly motivated young scientists from all over the world, learn alongside and from them. It motivated me to try and contribute to overcoming national borders in science in the future.

I wish I could write something about my research focus but truth is that pretty much everything related to the brain fascinates me. During the course of Neurasmus I have lived and studied in Amsterdam and Berlin and currently I am writing my master thesis at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Neurasmus has so far allowed me to not just advance my knowledge of neuroscience but has also enabled me to meet, interact and work with people from all around the world and I am enormously grateful for being part of it.

During my Bachelors in Psychology I realized that I am more interested in behavioral neuroscience and neurobiology. Neurasmus gave me the opportunity to change my profession. Professors and laboratories that this master provides are incredible, however, if you are from non-EU country, prepare for paperwork nightmare.

As a person avid for knowledge, I take every opportunity I can to explore things that make me curious. I am very passionate about science, which reflects on the way I see the world and my future.I am experiencing Neurasmus as excitingly as challenging: every day a new topic to discover and unravel in which theory and practice go hand to hand, but also adapting to different cultures, learning styles and professional environments.

Taiwanese, Psychology major. Always curious.I was actually already aiming for Neurasmus when I was still a bachelor student. I applied for the Neuroplasticity Track, and spent my first year in Bordeaux, second year in Amsterdam. Neurasmus has led me to a journey of amazing adventure and beautiful surprises. Not only did I get to experience the master programs from two prestigious universities, I also met so many inspiring peers, alumni, and professors through this program. This is truly an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that opened many doors for my future as a neuroscientist. I am very grateful for the combined efforts of the faculties that made this master program possible, and couldn't be happier.

Before coming to Europe, I worked in a biotech startup for 3 years in the Marketing/Product Development team. I believe the ultimate goal of science is practical applications that make a better version of the world, and that's my motivation to apply for this program: advancing knowledge in neuroscience and dedicating myself in healthcare/science communication after completing the Master. To me Neuramus is an extraordinary experience where you find the most international and friendly environment for pursuing Neuroscience. On top of that, as everyone is coming from so different backgrounds, this cross-culture experience, open-minded people and the supportive circle built by Program coordinators, Neurasmus office, alumni and the students themselves helped me adapt and being more flexible to the dynamics and diversities this program offers.