What Does a Neuroscientist Do? Joyonna Gamble-George, PhD 1 Who Am I? A Neuroscientist Also known as a HEALTH SCIENTIST, a NEUROBIOLOGIST, or a MEDICAL SCIENTIST a scientist who specializes or is an expert in neuroscience (the study of the nervous system) Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health 2 Who Am I? A Neuroscientist Courses: English, Biology, Chemistry, Latin, Spanish, and Calculus Volunteer or Summer Programs/Internships: research at NASA Dream jobs: scientist, medical doctor, or artist 3 Who Am I? A Neuroscientist Major: Healthcare Major: Biology and Management (graduated Biochemistry with a master’s degree) (graduated with Major: Neuroscience (graduated bachelor’s degree) with a doctorate or PhD) 4 My Journey to Become a Neuroscientist Studied how anxiety and depression affects animal behavior Water Maze Mouse Drinking a Shake Recording in Mouse Brain Cells (Neurons) 5 My Journey to Become a Neuroscientist Studied how anxiety and depression affects animal behavior 6 My Journey to Become a Neuroscientist Studied how anxiety and depression affects animal behavior 7 My Journey to Become a Neuroscientist Support research, training, and education programs that promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases Serve as a Health Scientist Administrator 8 What Can You Do NOW to Prepare for a Neuroscience Career? Take classes in…..especially at AP or advanced levels • Science: • Health, Physical, or • Astronomy Career-technical • Biology education: • Chemistry • Agriscience • Social science: • Computer/data • Mathematics: • Biotechnology • Anthropology science • Algebra • Nutrition, • Psychology • Earth Science • Statistics fitness, and • Sociology Environmental Science • Calculus wellness • Economics • Forensic Science • Physical • Health science education • Physical science • Sports medicine • Physics 9 What Can You Do NOW to Prepare for a Neuroscience Career? Take classes in…..especially at AP or advanced levels • Career Readiness Education: • English: • Computer • Creative Writing • World Languages: literacy • English • Latin • Microsoft Office • Grammar and • Spanish • Criminal Composition • French Justice, Law, or • Journalism Policy • Public speaking • Human Development 10 What Can You Do NOW to Prepare for a Neuroscience Career? • Join, actively participate in, and/or take a leadership role in a health, wellness, or science club • Attend community health fairs to gain exposure to the field • Become involved with your community wellness center • Attend a health science-related camp • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, health department, or nursing home • Work as a student manager/assistant on a sports team 11 What Can You Do NOW to Prepare for a Neuroscience Career? Gain, Improve, Enhance, or Increase the Following Skill Sets: Analysis and Problem Research and Solving Skills: Interpersonal and Information - Defining a problem, leadership skills: Management Skills: identifying its -Project - Understanding and causes, and collaboration synthesizing data Project Management designing and Written and Oral - Leading and - Identifying and Organization Skills: implementing a Communication Skills: motivating others information sources - Identifying solution - Organizing and -Mentoring and - Organizing data to goals/tasks - Understanding communicating teaching effectively sort and - Setting realistic information ideas orally - Response to evaluate it timelines -Forming and - Writing at different feedback - Prioritizing tasks defending levels and effectively - Flexibility conclusions - Participating in group discussions https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/phd-transferable-skills 12 What Your Journey Could Look Like? Graduate from Work as a 4 Year College Graduate School High School Neuroscientist MEDICAL SCIENTISTS conduct research aimed at improving overall human health Quick Facts 2018 Median Pay $84,810/year or $40.77/hour Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree Number of Jobs, 2018 130,700 Job Outlook, 2018-2028 8% (faster than average) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Scientists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social- science/medical-scientists.htm (visited March 15, 2020). 13 Questions? www.joyonnagamble.com 14.