Education
What We Do
As part of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine community, the Simpson Querrey Center for Neurogenetics actively supports the medical school’s academic mission. Laboratories within the center provide training opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and medical students as well as postdoctoral fellows. For information on opportunities in specific labs, please contact individual center members.
Medical Students
The Center for Neurogenetics will support students pursuing an Area of Scholarly Concentration (AOSC) project by providing access to our biorepository and genetics clinics as well as mentorship by center members. The AOSC program at Feinberg is a pillar of the curriculum leading to the MD degree. Students perform a hypothesis-driven investigation in an individualized area of independent study within biomedical research or a medically related field. Faculty mentors, research leadership and Feinberg resources provide students with structured, individualized support, ensuring core skills are obtained while students retain the flexibility to pursue lines of scientific inquiry of greatest interest to them.
For more information about AOSC, please contact the program manager of student research, Liza Rivnay, at liza.rivnay@northwestern.edu.
Clinical Trainees
Through the Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, our members work with medical students and trainees in a clinical environment to prepare them for careers as neurologists. Training with our members provides the added benefit of specialized knowledge and experience in neurogenetics, setting trainees on the path of leading-edge developments in the field.
Learn more about clinical training on the Neurology website.
Graduate Students
PhD students are accepted into center members’ labs through the following programs. View a list of all our members to see the full breadth of research being led in our labs.
- The Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences (DGP) trains PhD students in biomedical sciences while giving them the flexibility to pursue a variety of research interests, dual degrees and specialized tracks. Learn more about applying to DGP.
- The Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) is a research-oriented PhD program that trains students across Northwestern schools and departments. Learn more about applying to NUIN.
Postbaccalaureates
Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) also offers the NU Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program to prepare its trainees for competitive admissions to graduate school and for success in their future careers. Learn more about this program on the NUIN website.
Undergraduates
Undergraduates at Northwestern University can receive summer and academic-year research grants to work in labs led by our members.
We are currently seeking candidates for the summer grant. Visit our Summer Undergraduate Research Grant page to learn more about applying.
Summer Undergraduate Research Grant
The grant program provides a stipend for a 10-week summer internship with the center. We are seeking motivated undergraduate students who are interested in neurogenetics to conduct research with one of our labs.
Trainee Spotlight
Mo Kinsinger, 2020 NextGen NeuroGeneticists (NG2) Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Recipient
I am so grateful for the opportunity afforded to me by the NextGen NeuroGeneticists (NG2) Summer Undergraduate Research Grant, through which I worked in the lab of Dr. Steven Lubbe to complete a genome wide association study (GWAS) investigating genetic overlap between Parkinson's disease and skin pigmentation. This project jumpstarted my interest in neurogenetics research, which I have continued as a medical student at Feinberg. Through the NG2 grant, I received invaluable training in the patience, persistence and creative problem-solving skills necessary to make meaningful scientific discoveries.
Mia Broad, Carvill Lab Graduate Student
The DGP is a multidisciplinary program that does not confine students to studying biological questions in one field but instead allows students the freedom to explore research in many different ways. Additionally, the program offers hundreds of faculty members specialized in various disciplines, promoting collaborative efforts for both faculty and students. Furthermore, Northwestern offers many resources for graduate students interested in research that students can take advantage of, which facilitates creativity and innovation in our research work.
Jennifer Cheng, Carvill Lab Graduate Student
I have benefitted tremendously as a scientist as well as in my personal and professional growth. As a scientist, I’ve learned how to design and optimize experiments, troubleshoot setbacks, as well as drive forward a project. On a personal level, I’ve learned the resilience it takes to keep investigating an experimental question, filled with unknowns. Professionally, I’ve learned how to establish and manage collaborations as well as manage my usage of time efficiently.
Hannah Happ, Carvill Lab Graduate Student
One of the best things about this program is the collaboration and support for trainees. When I need to learn a new technique, it's easy to find someone who can help out by lending expertise, protocols, or equipment. The access to so much amazing technology, either in another lab or through a core facility, makes nearly any experiment possible. As an example of the great collaboration that is possible here, our lab holds joint weekly lab meetings with two other Feinberg labs that study epilepsy, but with neurophysiology and electrophysiology approaches, which provides helpful perspectives and feedback.
Kay-Marie Lamar, PhD, Carvill Lab Postdoctoral Scholar
I have learned so much from my experience in Dr. Carvill's lab, both on the technical side, such as mastering bioinformatics programs, and on the soft skills side, such as how to be a good mentor and give constructive criticism to others. I know the skills I have gained in this position will benefit me in any future career path.