From Struggle to Strength: My Path to Clinical Psychology – Artlyn Zakama
Hello, my name is Artlyn Zakama! I am a junior at UNC, majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Neuroscience and Statistics and Analytics. My passion for psychology began during my junior year of high school. Leading up to this … Read more
Inside and Out of Mental Health: From Neuroscience Research to Clinical Practice
Hello! My name is Mina Bayraktar, and I am a senior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Chemistry. My family is originally from Türkiye, but now we call Cary, North Carolina home. My passion for neuroscience … Read more
Holding Space for Healing –– with Sofiia Khalik at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center
My fascination with human behavior began in high school as I closely observed the early development of my younger siblings. That initial curiosity deepened when I volunteered at a summer camp, where guiding preschoolers and encouraging their creativity taught me … Read more
Welcome Our Fall 2025 Gil Cohort!
Please welcome our Fall 2025 Gil Cohort! Read about them here: Gil Interns | Department Of Psychology and Neuroscience
Researching the Relationship Between Head Circumference and Autism at UNC NIRAL – with Jade Jones
Hi! My name is Jade Jones, and I am a junior neuroscience major with a minor in chemistry on a pre-med track here at UNC Chapel Hill. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, so I’ve ventured quite a … Read more
Piloting an Executive Function and Decision Making Study at the UNC NIRL – with Emma Chow
In my sophomore year of high school, a typical soccer game led to a potential concussion and a doctor’s appointment that altered the course of my life. The ER physician not only diagnosed my concussion but initiated my medical journey … Read more
Empowering Physicians and Protecting Futures: Interventions to Treating Perinatal Substance Use Disorders at NC MATTERS – with Neyha Baddigam
Imagine you are a physician about to walk into a patient’s room for the first time when a nurse gives a snapshot of their case. You learn that your patient feels guilt and ambivalence about her inability to stop drinking … Read more
Unraveling the Complexities of the Developing Brain: A Journey Through Research and Advocacy at UNC Mother Infant Research Studies – with Kirina Shah
Two years ago, as a bright-eyed and eager freshman, I sat down in my PSYC 101 class, planning to obtain my general education requirement and move on. Instead, this experience sparked a deep fascination with the human brain, particularly in … Read more
Seeing Lectures Translate into Real Life at 3-C Family Services – with Stevie Levite
It’s Wednesday morning. I wake up, get ready, and head out the door. I think about my day as I ride down NC-54 toward 3-C Family Services. Who will I help today? Who will help me? What will I learn, … Read more
Conversation & Healing: The Psychological Impact of Word Choice & Narrative on Those Facing Terminal Illness at the Duke Pain Prevention & Treatment Lab – with Adunoluwa Akinola
My name is Adunoluwa Akinola, and I am in my third and final year at UNC studying neuroscience with minors in health and society as well as chemistry. I grew up in Kernersville, NC where at 9 years of age, … Read more