My name is Sierra Swenson and I am a senior at UMD. I am double majoring in Psychology and Spanish Studies, with a minor in Cognitive Science. My favorite classes in Psychology have been Physiological Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Cognitive Neuroscience. After graduating from UMD I hope to pursue a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.
While attending UMD, I’ve had quite a number of research experiences. I have helped conduct research within multiple labs on campus: the Neurocognitive Laboratory (Psychology), Klein Lab (Pharmacy), and currently the Neural Recovery Lab (CSD). Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) I conducted independent research examining cognitive function and bilingualism. Finally, this past summer I was an intern for a Computational Systems Neuroscience Lab at Johns Hopkins University!
My interests vary within the field of Psychology and Neuroscience. I find the following areas most fascinating: neuromodulation therapies, pharmacodynamics of psychedelics, effects of teratogens on neural development, George Kelly’s theories on personality, the psychology of the afterlife, the mind/body debate, and of course…the influence of bilingualism on cognitive function.
I look forward to serving my fellow Psychology students and those interested in Psychology and Neuroscience.