Program Events
- NGP hosts an annual retreat in early fall with three goals in mind. First, to review the accomplishments and achievements of our program's students and faculty over the past year and look forward to exciting events and changes coming down the pipeline. Second, to welcome new faculty members and first year graduate students to the program. Third, to facilitate and celebrate connections and friendships between students and faculty in a relaxed environment, including a student vs. faculty kickball game!
Outreach Activities and Service Opportunities
- NGP Student Representatives act as liaisons between the faculty and student body. They meet regularly with the co-directors and attend NGP Graduate Studies Committee meetings. Students are encouraged to bring questions, concerns, or ideas to the student reps, which they can then bring to the directors or larger committee. They help make policy decisions for the NGP by applying their student experience and ideas. The current NGP Student Representatives are Meretta Hanson and Christopher Vadala.
- The Neuroscience Graduate Student Organization (NGSO) was officially formed in January of 2017 to enhance the experience of graduate students as they move through the program. The goal is to ensure that each person has a positive and rewarding experience in the program, both in and out of the lab. NGSO hosts monthly social events, serves to establish resources to help students through the first-year transition, candidacy, and graduation, while fostering collaboration with other IGP programs. NGSO also organizes professional development events, hosting program alumni and affiliates that went on to work in various scientific jobs, both industry and academic.
- Specifically aimed at assisting first-year students, NGSO developed and leads NewN, a unique program that pairs current and incoming students as a direct resource in their transition to the NGP, living in Columbus, and graduate studies. Beginning in the summer before beginning in the NGP, students can talk to their mentor about any aspect of graduate school such as rotations or housing. Mentors act as a resource for students beyond the first year, maintaining a positive relationship and acting as a resource throughout their time in NGP. The current NewN chair is Aravind Kalathil.
- Neuroscience Education: Urban & Rural Outreach (N.E.U.R.O) is the outreach and service arm of NGSO that partners with local libraries and after-school programs to target underserved populations in central Ohio. A primary goal of the program is to demystify neuroscience at an age where students are beginning to form lifelong interests and thereby kindle an interest in basic scientific research. We do so by bringing fun, hands-on science-based activities to get students excited about neuroscience. Some of these activities include distortion goggles, real brains, and mind-control games. Once a year in March, NEURO hosts Brain Awareness Week at the Center for Science & Industry (COSI) in collaboration with the Neurological Institute at the Wexner Medical Center. Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign held by the Society for Neuroscience and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. The goal of this event is to promote interest in neuroscience and increase science literacy amongst the general public. The current graduate student leader for NEURO is Rebecca Boland.
- As a graduate program, NGP participates in the Council of Graduate Students. This body serves to represent the graduate student body and communicate directly with the graduate school and the university administration to address the needs of graduate students. The current CGS rep for NGP is Yoon-Jae Yi.
Professional and Career Development Opportunities
- IGP Symposium
- Hayes Forum
- OSUWMC Trainee Research Day
- IGP Career Day
Out and About in Columbus
We polled NGP students to find out how they like to spend their time outside of lab and this is what they said:
- Attending summer festivals and concerts
- Going to sporting events (Columbus Crew, Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Clippers)
- Attending OSU football games
- Touring breweries (check out the Columbus Ale Trail!)
- Trying new coffee shops (Columbus Coffee Trail)
- Getting ice cream at Graeter's or Jeni’s
- Going to museums and performing arts
- Going to the Rose Garden
- Trying new restaurants
- Biking, kayaking, and hiking