Current Students
Mercer Kriese ’24 (they/she)
Neuroscience Major, Computer Science minor, from San Francisco, CA
Bioelectrics and computation team
What originally sparked their interest in science was the curiosity and drive to answer questions, and when they took their first neuroscience course in college, they realized that our understanding of the brain and how it is built is immensely under-developed. They are proud to contribute to research in developmental neuroscience and want to do research to understand how organisms work. What makes them happiest being in the Barresi Lab is the community. This shared passion from fellow lab members has made them excited to contribute to research and collaborate with others.
Lucy Young ’26 (she/her)
Neuroscience Major, from Cape Cod, MA
Forebrain development team
Lucy remembers being entranced once learning about physiology and different science experiments in school. She is proud to contribute to science because she loves participating in the ongoing medical advancements that promotes human health. Her favorite part of being in the Barresi Lab is working with the fish, and also the sense of community you form with your team group and the the whole lab. After Smith, Lucy aspires to become a Physician’s Assistant focused in neurology and continue research in brain development, especially regarding neurological disorders.
Ruiyi Song, ’25 (she/her)
Neuroscience Major, from Shanghai, China
Bioelectrics team
In high school, Ruiyi was impressed by all the science behind how jam is made and preserved, or the chemical reaction needed to make soap. These simple curiosities sparked her interest in science. Ruiyi wants to do research that will help us understand ourselves more. She feels that there are still so many mysteries about the brain that remain unsolved. Ruiyi’s favorite part of working in Barresi Lab is working with zebrafish embryos and seeing their quick development in action. After Smith, Ruiyi hopes to continue research to contribute to our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
Shariqa T. Shaila, ’24 (they/them)
Neuroscience major, Chemistry minor, from Dhaka, Bangladesh
Meteorin team
Shariqa was drawn to science by wanting answers. They were fascinated that a single microscopic cell can develop into full beings and consciousness, yet we don’t know every reason why or how. Their goal is to study neurodegenerative diseases to help people in need someday. Connecting this research to benefiting human lives makes this work feel important to them. Their favorite part of being in Barresi lab is benchwork and testing out research questions in an experimental way. (Also the centrifuge machine is fun to watch). In the future, they hope to continue projects related to stem cells, neurodegenerative diseases, immunology and/or microbiology. In addition, Shariqa enjoys community-based social work and wants to be involved in environmental restoration.
Tania Novosolova, ’24, (she/her)
Neuroscience major, from Ukraine (Donetsk region),
Forebrain Development team
Tania became interested in life sciences in middle school and had a chance to work on independent projects in human biology and agriculture in Ukrainian high school. She is intersted in understanding how the brain is being built, specifically how two hemispheres are connected through commissures, and what the key players in this process are. She believes that this knowledge will brings us one step closer in the understanding of the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental pathologies. Her favorite part of working in the lab is working with zebrafish embryos and having a chance to observe the very early stages of development “live” under the microscope in real time. Tania hopes to pursue a PhD in Stem Cell and Developmental Biology after graduating Smith.
Annie Xu ’24 (she/her)
Biology and Classical Studies double major, from China
Meteorin team
Sabrina Wilke ’25 (she/they)
Neuroscience and Psychology double major from Indianapolis, Indiana
Meteorin team
Sabrina grew up near a state park looking for animals or cool plants, and just exploring. This curiosity grew, and led her towards the sciences with the goal of trying to discover why the world works the way it does. One of the reasons why Sabrina is proud to contribute to science is from growing up playing soccer and seeing teammates suffer from concussions and other injuries. This makes her want to develop treatments for concussions. She enjoys being in the fun, supportive environment in the Barresi lab and collaborating with others to learn. After graduating, Sabrina plans to attend graduate school and wants to research the neuroscience and psychology of concussions and post-concussive syndrome.
Ava Linas ’26 (she/her)
Neuroscience Major from Brookline, Massachusetts
Forebrain team
Ava has been interested in science for as long as she can remember. Ava grew up in a family of doctors and scientists, and hearing their discussions about research and clinical time always intrigued her. Ava is especially interested in developmental neuroscience because she this research area is vital in how we interact with others and the world. Ava is excited especially because neuroscience is an ever-growing field with so many discoveries waiting to happen, and she is excited to be part of them. Her favorite part about working in the Barresi Lab is the community. She loves the positive atmosphere of excitement about science and collaboration, and being welcomed as a newer member. After Smith, Ava hopes to attend medical school and enter the medical field.