Class of ‘25
Hope Boldizar (she/her)
Email: boldizah@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Degree: BS in Neuroscience
On-Campus Research: Zebrafish hair cell research with Dr. Tamara Stawicki
Post-Lafayette Plans: Planning to go to PA school after a gap year!
Message to Mentees: Hello everyone! My name is Hope Boldizar, and I am a senior neuroscience major here at Lafayette. I chose to pursue neuroscience as I loved both biology and psychology and found a passion in neuroscience as it blends them together. Going into college I was unsure if I wanted to go into health care, pharmaceuticals, or post-graduate research (and it is okay to not know what you want). Along the way, I realized I wanted to pursue going to be a Physician Assistant post-grad, and am now working on taking the next steps in that process. On campus, I am a member of the swim team, Alpha Phi sorority, & PASA. For the past three years, I have been a mentor to first-year student-athletes, and I am so excited to now be able to mentor neuroscience students as well. Feel free to reach out anytime, and I will be happy to help.
Chelsey Cochrane
Email: cochracm@lafayette.edu
Degree: BS in Neuroscience
Amber Crain (she/her)
Email: craina@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Latham, NY
Degree: BS in Neuroscience
On-Campus Research: I currently work with Professor Gabel researching the effects of Sulforaphane on BTBR female mice.
Post-Lafayette Plans: Plans of applying to Physician Assistant School
Message to Mentees: Hi! My name is Amber Crain and I am a senior here at Lafayette. I am so excited to be a Peer Mentor and to help guide sophomores and first years! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the Neuroscience Department at Lafayette. It is such a great community. I would love to share my experience with you.
Grace Gallagher (she/her)
Email: gallaggg@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Degree: BS Neuroscience
Post-Lafayette Plans: PA School
Message to Mentees: Hi everyone! My name is Grace, I’m a senior Neuroscience major, and am on the pre-PA route. As a mentor, I’m open to talk to anyone who is interested in neuroscience and/or going into a healthcare profession after college. I can help with planning for grad school, studying abroad as a neuroscience major, and patient care experience opportunities. I am here as a resource so don’t hesitate to reach out about anything!
Casey MacElhiney
Email: macelhic@lafayette.edu
Degree: BS in Neuroscience
Abby Harr (she/her/hers)
Email: harra@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Medford, NJ
Degree: BS Neuroscience, German minor
On-Campus Research: Research on attention and working memory in mice with Dr. Hallock
Post-Lafayette Plans: PhD in Neuroscience
Message to Mentees: I am a current senior eager to help first-year and sophomores feel at home in the neuroscience program! I am also involved with DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship and Percussion Ensemble, as well as working for admissions as a tour guide. I have conducted research both on and off campus, and I am happy to help anyone who is looking to get research experience and wants to know where to look/how to apply for opportunities. My past neuro electives include Intro to Neural Data Analysis, Psychopharmacology, Sensory Neuroscience, Neuroregeneration, and Survey of Biochemistry. Feel free to reach with questions or just to chat; I’d love to connect with you!
Kailey Shapiro (she/her)
Email: shapirka@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Sudbury, MA
Degree: BS in Neuroscience, Spanish Minor
Post-Lafayette Plans: Academic research lab and then grad school
Message to Mentees: Hi everyone! My name is Kailey and I am a senior Neuro major and Spanish minor. I chose Neuroscience because it combines aspects of both Psychology and Biology, and giving me freedom to pick my elective courses that are most interesting to me. Outside of class, I am also part of Lafayette Activities Forum, Dance Company, Greek life, Tri Beta Biology Honors Society, and a Tour Guide and Senior Interviewer. After graduation, I plan to work in an academic research lab, but have experience in both academia and industry. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Tess Stanley (she/her)
Email: stanleyt@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Degree: BS Neuroscience, BA Philosophy
On-Campus Research: Sensory hair cell function and death with Dr. Tamara Stawicki
Post-Lafayette Plans: Earn a PhD in Neuroscience
Message to Mentees: Hi everyone! My name is Tess and I am a senior pursuing a dual degree in Neuroscience and Philosophy. On campus, I’m involved in Lafayette’s radio station, WJRH 104.9 FM, I’m a WA for STEM-related courses, and I’m heavily involved in on-campus research. I love listening to new music, running long-distance, and reading murder mystery novels. Feel free to contact me at any time for a chat or Mojos!
Lauren Stewart (she/her)
Email: stewarls@lafayette.edu
Hometown: West Chester, PA
Degree: BS Neuroscience, Biotechnology Minor
On-Campus Research: Audiogenic Seizures in CNTNAP2 mice with Dr. Lisa Gabel
Message to Mentees: Hello! My name is Lauren and I am a senior Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. At Lafayette, I am on the women’s soccer team, volunteer through the National Alzheimer’s Buddy organization, participate in research, and am a TA for neurobiology. I love to travel, listen to music, and go for long drives. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to chat 🙂
Shreya Suresh
Email: sureshs@lafayette.edu
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Degree: BS Neuroscience, Music minor
On-Campus Research: Psych research with Dr. Wenze and Neuro Research on attention and working memory in mice with Dr. Hallock
Post-Lafayette Plans: Medical School (Currently planning to pursue pediatric psychiatry)
Message to Mentees: Hi everyone! I’m a senior here at Lafayette and more than happy to talk about my experiences or give guidance/advice! On campus, I’m involved in McKelvy, Stress Less, the Landis Center, Food Recovery Network, the equestrian team, Mar-Keys A Cappella, and Dance Company. I’ve taken the following Neuro electives: Psychopharmacology, Psychological Diagnoses, Art Neuro & Consciousness, Physics 112, Survey of Biochemistry, and Advanced Research. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions or would just like to chat! I’m happy to talk over email or set up a time to get coffee 🙂
Class of ’26
Gisele Ismail
Email: ISMAILG@lafayette.edu
Degree: BS in Neuroscience
On-Campus Research: Dr. Gabel Brain Computer Interface lab
Post-Lafayette Plans: PhD in Neuro
Message to Mentees: Hi everyone! My name is Gisele Ismail, and I am a Neuroscience major with a Biotechnology minor. Aside from NRT, I do research in Dr. Gabel’s BCI lab and am also a part of neuroscience club, LAVA, and AGD. I love reading, music, going to the gym, and all things arts and crafts! I love to chat so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding neuroscience, your classes, or college life in general!
Lindsey Sofo (she/her)
Email: sofol@lafayette.edu
Hometown: Chatham, NJ
Degree: BS in Neuroscience, Biotechnology/Bioengineering Minor
Post-Lafayette Plans: Medical School
Message to Mentees: Hi! My name is Lindsey, and I’m a junior neuroscience major. I love all things neuro, but I’m especially interested in neurochemistry and sensory systems. Post-grad, I hope to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry
