Sara Royston

As a member of Jan Naegele’s lab at Wesleyan University, I collaborated with Drs. Lombroso and Susan Goebel-Goody to test whether a genetic reduction in STEP could rescue the audiogenic seizure phenotype associated with fragile X syndrome. Nearly all students interested in pursuing a career in science and/or medicine are encouraged to take time off after undergrad to gain more experience. This stretch of time frequently ends up being a limbo period, heavy on methodology, but lacking in substantive input. However, the time I spent working with Dr. Lombroso before beginning my M.D./Ph.D. was productive, and I always felt that my ideas and opinions were both heard and considered. I gained a greater understanding in experimental design and learned to focus more on the questions I wanted to ask, rather than the procedures I already knew how to do. Most importantly, Dr. Lombroso’s commitment to translational neuroscience has been and continues to be a great motivator for me as I begin my own career as a physician scientist.