Jibreel Akbar
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '24
Bio: Jibreel is a second-year Honors student majoring in psychology with a minor in cognitive science. His interests include how social structures affect behavior and learning about different cultures. Jibreel will be attending the Neuroscience Study Abroad Program in Salamanca, Spain.
Antonio Hernandez
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '24
Bio: Antonio is a proud first-generation Mexican-American student here at UConn. He is a dual degree Allied Health and Speech Language Hearing Science major with a double minor in Psychology and Cognitive Science! Antonio is especially grateful for the Cognitive Science Program's help abroad abroad this summer in Salamanca, Spain. Going to Spain will help enhance his medical terminology in Spanish as well as broaden his understanding of the brain.
Marissa Birmingham
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio: Marissa is an undergraduate student pursuing a cognitive science major and a mathematics minor. She conducts her research in the Connecticut Autism and Language Lab under the leadership of Dr. Inge-Marie Eigsti. She studies the use of gestures and facial expressions in autism spectrum disorder, as well as the comorbid occurrence of autism and schizophrenia. Marissa loves reading, rock climbing, and going on adventures with the UConn Outing Club. She enjoys attending research conferences to learn from experts in her field, and to receive feedback and inspiration for her research work. Marissa presented her research at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) 2023 Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.
Lilly Burlison
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio:Lilly is currently a freshman at UConn majoring in Cognitive Science. She is interested in learning how language affects how individuals act and process information. She hopes to attend UConn’s Cognitive Science Grad program as well. She is from Southern California but recently relocated to Texas and now found her home in Storrs, Connecticut. She loves to experience new cultures and explore new places. Lilly will be attending the Summer in Tel Aviv Study Abroad Program.
Faith Cesaria
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio: Faith Cesaria is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Science. Some of her interests include how children acquire language and the ways in which language shapes people’s everyday lives. She is involved on campus as Vice President of Sweeter Than Fiction Book Club and a mentor in the Asian/Asian American Mentoring Program. She hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Faith will be attending the Summer in Tel Aviv Study Abroad Program.
Sarah Davey
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio: Sarah is an undergraduate Honors student studying cognitive science. She is interested in pursuing a doctorate in neuropsychology in order to further study how physical changes in our brain manifest in observable behaviors. She currently works in Dr. García-Sierra's speech perception and language development electroencephalography lab. Sarah will be attending the Neuroscience Study Abroad Program in Salamanca, Spain.
Sydney Fernando
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio: Sydney Fernando is currently a freshman at UConn, majoring in psychological sciences with a minor in cognitive science. She lives in a small town about 45 minutes south of Boston, MA. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and meeting new people. She also loves to travel and learn more about different cultures, which is one reason why she is participating in this summer's Tel Aviv Study Abroad Program.
Lexi Ferrara
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio: Alexandra Ferrara is a rising sophomore pursuing a psychology major and cognitive science minor. She has an interest in furthering her knowledge of how the brain and our behaviors interact as well as creating global connections through the exploration of new cultures and traditions. This summer she will be studying psychology and neuroscience in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Emma Walton
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '23
Bio: Emma is a junior cognitive science major. She's a triplet, and all three of them go to UConn! She loves Harry Potter, painting and anything that allows her to express herself creatively. Emma will be attending the Interdisciplinary Ethnography Field School Program in Mauritius.
Audrey Bush
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '22
Bio: Audrey is an undergraduate student studying cognitive science and music. Her specific interests include the relationship between the human mind, body and the effects of music as healing. She is interested in traveling to gain knowledge about different cultures and human behavior. Audrey will be attending the Interdisciplinary Ethnography Field School Program in Mauritius.
Valerie Saykina
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '22
Bio: Valerie is a first year undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Science with a passion for research. Specifically, how our beliefs and religion affect the brain processes, and how we can adapt certain aspects to better quality of life. Believing that participation in the field is essential, she strives to gain more experiences in a variety of settings. Valerie will be attending the Interdisciplinary Ethnography Field School Program in Mauritius.
Camryn Walsh
COGS Study Abroad Travel Recipient '22
Bio: Camryn is an undergraduate student studying allied health sciences and cognitive science. She currently is working in Whitney Tabor’s group coordination theory lab and is planning on becoming a Nurse Anesthetist. Camryn will be attending the Neuroscience Study Abroad Program in Salamanca, Spain.
