Neuroprep is led and supported by a diverse team of faculty, instructors and advisors who are dedicated to training future leaders in neuroscience.

In addition to the 54 faculty mentors representing 15 Departments across Washington University, Neuroprep has formed a regional partnership with colleges and universities to support participants in the program. Trainees will have networking opportunities with students at Harris Stowe State University, University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis University.

Neuroprep Directors

Daniel Kerschensteiner, MD

Daniel Kerschensteiner, MD

Neuroprep Co-director and Janet & Bernard Becker Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Engineering

Jose Moron-Concepcion, PhD

Jose Moron-Concepcion, PhD

Neuroprep Co-Director and Henry E. Mallinckrodt Professor of Anesthesiology, Neuroscience and Psychiatry

Paul Taghert, PhD

Paul Taghert, PhD

Neuroprep Director and Professor of Neuroscience

Staff

Blanka Hodzic, BS

Blanka Hodzic, BS

Program Coordinator

Internal Steering Committee

Jhoan Aguilar

Jhoan Aguilar

WashU Graduate Student

Ream Al-Hasani, PhD

Ream Al-Hasani, PhD

Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology

Apoorva Arora

Apoorva Arora

WashU Graduate Student

Ghazal Ashrafi, PhD

Ghazal Ashrafi, PhD

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology

Harrison Gabel, PhD

Harrison Gabel, PhD

Associate Professor of Neuroscience

Erik Herzog, PhD

Erik Herzog, PhD

Viktor Hamburger Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences

Timothy Holy, PhD

Timothy Holy, PhD

Alan A. & Edith L. Wolff Professor of Neuroscience

Diana Jose-Edwards, PhD

Diana Jose-Edwards, PhD

Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Research

External Advisory Board

Alaina Baker-Nigh, PhD

Alaina Baker-Nigh, PhD

Associate Professor of Biology at SLU

Deanna Barch, PhD

Deanna Barch, PhD

Vice Dean of Research and Gregory B. Couch Professor of Psychiatry

Carmel Martin-Fairey, PhD

Carmel Martin-Fairey, PhD

Assistant Professor of Biology at HSSU

Julio Ramirez, PhD

Julio Ramirez, PhD

R. Stuart Dickson Professor of Psychology | Director of the Neuroscience Program at Davidson College

Jennifer Siciliani, PhD

Jennifer Siciliani, PhD

Director of Undergraduate Education Psychological and Brain Sciences | Teaching Professor at UMSL

Rochelle Smith

Rochelle Smith

Vice President of the Division for Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement at SLU

Cassandra Van Dunk, PhD

Cassandra Van Dunk, PhD

Assistant Dean, Biomedical Sciences PhD Program at St. Jude

Acknowledgement

Kerry Grens, MS

Kerry Grens, MS

Kerry is a former Instructor and Marketing contact for Neuroprep, and was a key member of the Neuroprep organizing team. Kerry is now the Director of Medical News at WashU Medicine.

Kerry developed the curriculum for the Science Communications and Professional Development component of the program and taught the related workshop for the first year of Neuroprep. Kerry has been a science communicator for 20 years and is the Director of Medical News at WashU Medicine, where she supports a team of award-winning science writers. Previously, she was the Director of Marketing for the Department of Neuroscience at WashU Medicine, after having been a journalist for print, radio, tv and online news outlets. She was an editor and reporter for The Scientist magazine; WHYY, the NPR and PBS affiliate in Philadelphia; Reuters Health; and New Hampshire Public Radio. She received a master’s in biological sciences from Stanford University and a bachelor’s in biology from Loyola University Chicago.