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Eliza Lloyd ’22

Neuroscience, philosophy

I’m really grateful for the AMS program and the people it’s brought into my life.

Eliza Lloyd ’22 Brookfield, Conn.

Describe your experience with the Alumni Memorial Scholars (AMS) program at ߲о.

 

Eliza and her friend jumping outside.

I definitely think being a part of the AMS program has enhanced my experience at ߲о. Some of my best friends to this day I met through AMS; two of them I live with! I also think the grant money provides an incredible opportunity to travel and study something that fascinates you but is not traditionally offered at ߲о. I also want to say that our advisers; Rebecca, our faculty director; and Doug, our administrative dean, have really gone above and beyond.

How would you describe your AMS peers?

The AMS program has students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds, and I’ve loved being able to meet people whom I otherwise would not have. The AMS preorientation was great for that. I met nearly everyone in my AMS class and some upperclassmen too. I think having that immediate community made the transition into ߲о that much easier. We also all live in the same commons the first year, which definitely helped build community. Often now, I will meet someone and then learn they are AMS, and it’s an immediate bonding moment. “You’re in AMS? So am I!” I’m grateful for the AMS program and the people it’s brought into my life.

Have you had a mentor at ߲о?

Yes, definitely. My biggest mentors would probably be my two advisers, Professor Yoshino (neuroscience) and Professor Meyer (philosophy). They have been a huge help advising me on academic decisions, and I know they are interested in my life and care for my well-being. When everything was in-person, I loved to just stop by their offices for a chat to catch up. I have also gotten a lot of great advice from upperclassmen including Sasha, my AMS mentor, and other students in similar programs as me who have shared their experiences and made mine that much smoother.

Even though our main goal is to increase voter turnout and streamline the voting process, we use these collaborative events as a way to encourage ߲о students to be educated.

 

 

Eliza holding a cake that says vote.
Eliza is co-president of the ߲о Vote Project.

What advice would you give to students who have been selected to be in the AMS program?

Something that I did before coming to ߲о was identifying things that I was interested in, whether that be a major/minor, a student group, or some other ߲о program, and

The women's club lacrosse team posing for a picture.

I reached out to people who would have insights on that opportunity. For example, I knew I wanted to study neuroscience, so in the first semester, I reached out to Professor Yoshino, who, at that time, had no idea who I was, and I asked to meet. He laid out a four-year academic plan for me in our first meeting and since then has helped me figure out what choices are best for me. I was also interested in the National Institutes of

Health study group, so I reached out to a student who had just gone and asked her about the program and her experience. Lacrosse was also important to me in high school, so I contacted the leader of club lacrosse and asked about their plans for the upcoming year. I also did a lot of research into the AMS program and explored the list of past projects that students have done.

All of these things helped me get a better sense of what I could expect coming to ߲о and how I might fit into the community. To newly selected AMS students who have yet to make their decision, I would say do your research and talk to people. The students, faculty, and staff at ߲о are incredible and more than willing to help you.

A portrait of Eliza.

What are your plans after ߲о?

I hope to complete a post-baccalaureate at the National Institutes of Health after graduation, and then on to graduate school for neuroscience, molecular biology, or something in that realm of science. I think, ultimately, I want a career in research and/or academia.

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