Sarah Pizzano

B.A. in Biology, Brandeis University, 2015

M.S. in Neuroscience, University of Michigan, 2018

Admission Year: 2016

Advisor: Dr. Bing Ye

Current Project: I utilize Drosophila genetics to interrogate how Down Syndrome-related genes interact with one another during development to establish aberrant neuronal morphology.

Research Interest: Developmental Neuroscience, Neurogenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology

Other Interests: Previously, in collaboration with a fellow graduate student in the lab, I studied and published on the regulation of axon-dendrite patterning in development by two differentially located Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) isoforms.

Teaching experience: Graduate Student Instructor, Introduction to Molecular Neuroscience, Dr. Richard Hume.

Honors, Grants & Awards: Trisomy 21 Research Society La Caixa Young Investigator Program, June 2019; Trisomy 21 Research Society La Caixa Travel Award, June 2019; Life Sciences Institute Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund, June 2019; Rackham Travel Award, Sept 2019; Rackham Regents Merit Fellowship, University of Michigan, Fall 2016 - Spring 2019; Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant, University of Michigan, Summer 2015

Service and Leadership: Vice President of Portfolio Management and Student Advisor for Wolverine Venture Fund; Student Representative for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Educational Task Force; Student Representative for the Student Advisory Commitee on Sexual Harassment; Undergraduate Mentor, Ye Lab; Neuroscience Graduate Program Recruitment Co-Coordinator 2018 and 2019; Coordinator of the 16th Annual UM Neuroscience Graduate Program Symposium; Mentor, Aspirnaut Program, Life Sciences Institute; S.E.E.K Instructor

Career Goals:  Biotechnology, Commercialization and Consulting

Hobbies: Martial Arts, Soccer, Travel, and Reading