Ashlyn Johnson

Interview with Ashlyn Johnson

BS in Biological Sciences – Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology
Minors in Biotechnology and Cognitive Science
Anticipated graduation:  May, 2017

What do you plan to do after graduating from NC State?

I am interviewing at several neuroscience graduate programs now, although I do not know which one I will attend yet.

What is your proudest accomplishment as an NC State student?

My proudest accomplishment is being a co-chair for the 2016 and 2017 Service Raleigh event. It is an honor to be a part of one of NC State’s oldest service traditions and to work to inspire our community to pursue a lifetime of service.

What do you love best about your department or your major?

I love that my department is actively engaged in scientific outreach. As a member of the Meitzen Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences, I have participated in several educational activities at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences including the annual Brain Awareness Night. My department enthusiastically engages the community and it has been wonderful to learn by their example that a scientist creates new knowledge and shares that knowledge with the community.

Care to give a shout-out to a faculty or staff member who you would like to recognize?

I’d like to wholeheartedly thank Dr. John Meitzen and Dr. Jane Lubischer.  I’ve worked in Dr. Meitzen’s lab since the beginning of my junior year. He has enthusiastically mentored me and shown me how to be an effective neuroscientist. Through his guidance and mentorship, I have developed many laboratory skills as well as the critical thinking needed to ask and answer scientific questions. Working under his direction inspired me to apply to graduate school to pursue a career in neuroscience research. Dr. Jane Lubischer has mentored me since my first days on campus. She kept her door open for me to speak with her about science and neurobiology. She supported my applications for summer research experiences and graduate school. Her mentorship has been fundamental in my decision to pursue a career in scientific research.

Here are just some of the other remarkable things we discovered about Ashlyn:

• She is a Park Scholar who has also served the Park Scholar organization.
• Ashlyn is graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
• After engaging in our Research PackTrack classes, Ashlyn spent two summers as a research fellow at UT (Texas) Southwest’s Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases.
• She has presented five posters–in Raleigh and Dallas, TX.
• Ashlyn earned University Scholars and Departmental Honors distinctions.
• She’s been a TA or Class Facilitator in 4 classes, and a PackTrack class mentor.