The Neuroscience Honors Society
at the University of Virginia
Current Executive Board
Agnes Cho, President of External Affairs
Oversees National Responsibilities and Membership
Year: 4th
Email: uyg9rs@virginia.edu
Neuroscience Interests: I’m a fourth-year majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in English. I’ve always been fascinated by mental health and clinical research, specifically how the brain shapes our experiences with pain and emotion. Right now, I divide my time between research and clinical care: I analyze conditioned pain modulation in the Human Brain Function Lab under the Department of Neurosurgery at the UVA School of Medicine and work as a Clinical Psychology Technician in UVA Health’s psychiatric unit. Otherwise, you can usually find me reading, journaling, running, playing guitar, or catching up over good conversation!
Nanaki Bawa, President of Internal Affairs
Oversees Scheduling and Membership Logistics
Year: 4th
Email: agb8uv@virginia.edu
Neuroscience Interests: I’m a fourth year majoring in Applied Neuroscience and Narrative Medicine (IMP). I am interested in clinical neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, narrative neuroscience, and channel these interests at the Misra Lab which is focused on understanding the interplay of hormones/pharmacologic interventions on bone density as well as lead a clinical research project focused on understanding the neuroscience of narratives through the Puglia Lab. Outside of research, I am involved in the Virginia Journal of Bioethics, Peer Health Educators, the Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad. In my free time, I enjoy reading, doing calligraphy, and playing the dilruba.
Caleb Wang, Vice President of External Affairs
Oversees Faculty Communication and Membership
Year: 4th
Email: bkr7mu@virginia.edu
Neuroscience Interests: I’m a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia majoring in Neuroscience on the Pre-Health track. My research interests center on the therapeutic potential and clinical applications of neuromodulatory molecules for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. I’m an undergraduate research assistant in the Ma Lab within the Department of Surgery at the UVA School of Medicine, where our research focuses on cell and molecular physiology in many diseases. My current project investigates the effects of the cytoprotective protein MG53 in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of neuroscience and academics, I enjoy playing the violin and guitar, playing basketball with friends, and reading!
Susanna Kast, Vice President of Internal Affairs
Oversees Website and Social Media
Year: 4th
Email: vhn8ma@virginia.edu
Neuroscience Interests: I’m a fourth-year student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Philosophy. My research interests include neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disorders, and I explore these through my work as an undergraduate research assistant. As a part of the Brandebura Lab at the UVA School of Medicine, I investigate astrocytes’ role in neuroinflammation and how their pathways are altered in disorders including Alzheimer's and ALS. Outside of research, I work as a medical assistant at a dermatology clinic and enjoy hiking, swimming, and photography in my free time.
Reagan Dronen, Secretary
Oversees Member Communication and Meeting Minutes
Year: 3rd
Email: yyw2xb@virginia.edu
Neuroscience Interests: I’m a third year majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in General Business, on the pre-PA track. I’m especially interested in brain plasticity, as well as infant and child brain development! I work as a Patient Care Technician in UVA Health’s neuroscience unit, and serve as a research assistant in the Abbott Lab at the UVA School of Medicine. Outside of school and work, I love to bake (macarons are my specialty), read, and workout!
Rukaya Selim, Treasurer
Oversees Funding and Budget
Year: 3rd
Email: qwy7dd@virginia.edu
Neuroscience Interests: I’m a third-year student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Data Science. I’m interested in translational neuroscience, particularly the cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease. At UVA, I serve as a research assistant in the Eyo Lab at the School of Medicine, where I divide my time between in-lab research and an ongoing international collaboration with labs in Australia and Denmark. My research focuses on microglia-vessel interactions, as well as microglial behavior in seizures and Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of research, I’m involved in UVA’s Arab Student Organization and serve as an RA with UVA Housing & Residence Life. In my free time, I enjoy journaling, crafts, baking, and going to the gym!
Faculty Advisor
Xiaorong Liu
Associate Professor of Biology and Psychology
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B.S. Peking University, 1996
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Ph.D., University of Virginia, 2002
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Postdoctoral, The Scripps Research Institute, 2002
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Postdoctoral, University of California San Francisco, 2003-2007
