Meet Mandalynn (Mandy) Slupek, the Third Place Three Minute Thesis Competition Award recipient. Mandy is a Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. student majoring in Neurosciences.
Please give a short overview of your research.
My research focuses on the electrical properties and communication between astrocytes and neurons and how those relate to memory in addiction.
What made you choose to pursue your graduate degree here at Kent State?
I chose Kent State for graduate school because it offered the kind of research collaborations I wanted and was conveniently located in a beautiful, hiking-rich landscape.
What do you enjoy most about attending Kent State for graduate school? and/or What do you anticipate taking advantage of at KSU?
I enjoy the openness and willingness to collaborate among biology faculty at Kent State.
What are your future goals?
After Kent, I will be looking for a postdoctoral position to further develop my proficiency in electrophysiological techniques and pursue a career in memory research.
What does this award mean to you and how will it aid you?
Placing in the 3 Minute Thesis competition has given me confidence in my ability to communicate my research to a wide audience and opens the door for work in interdisciplinary scientific writing.