Meet the Peer Mentors!

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

 

Tess Stanley (she/her)

Email: stanleyt@lafayette.edu

Hometown: Long Island, NY

Degree: BS Neuroscience, BA Philosophy

 

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

Post-Lafayette Plans: Medical School

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

 

Class of ’26

Gisele Ismail

Email: ISMAILG@lafayette.edu

Degree: BS in Neuroscience

 

Lindsey Sofo (she/her)

Email: sofol@lafayette.edu

Hometown: Chatham, NJ

Degree: BS in Neuroscience, Biotechnology/Bioengineering Minor

Post-Lafayette Plans: Medical School