About Me
I'm currently a graduate student in the Warden Lab at Cornell University's Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, where I study the neural circuits underlying motivated and depression-related behavior. Specifically, I investigate medial prefrontal cortical projections to the midbrain using optical techniques like optogenetics and photometry.
My most rewarding work in graduate school has come from the interactions I've had with undergraduates, both as a research mentor in the lab and as a teacher of a number of seminar-style classes.
I've also spent a considerable amount of my graduate career volunteering in K-12 educational outreach. Through GRASSHOPR, I work with local teachers to integrate age-appropriate neurobiology activities into their classrooms, and with other graduate students to help them bring their research into our community's classrooms.
In my spare time I enjoy running, reading fiction, and watching Boston sports.
Contact
Should you have any questions about my research, teaching, or outreach please reach out to me at rjp278@cornell.edu.