Rebecca Divarco

EDUCATION

College / University

Grinnell College

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Major Subjects

Biological Chemistry and Neuroscience

Country

USA

Lab Experience

DNA/protein synthesis, gel electrophoresis, PCR/qPCR, electrophysiology, dissections, Western blots, IR/NMR spectroscopy, EEG, human behavioral studies, general physics, histology, MATLAB data analysis and communication, Minitab/SPSS data analysis, ImageJ, AV equipment, and Chimera/ChimeraX

Projects / Research

2021: Modeling the Biochemical Basis of Key Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors, SRTP, University of San Francisco, Dr. Adam Frost
2020: Investigation of Cortical Responses Associated with Omission of an Expected Note within Melodies, Visiting Undergraduate Researcher, University of Iowa; Dr. Kirill Norski
2019: Post-Acute Temperature Perturbation Increases Heat Shock Protein Expression in Cancer Borealis, REU, Brandeis University, Dr. Eve Marder
2017 – 2021: Course Embedded Research, Grinnell College

Scholarships / Awards

2021 – 2022:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2021:	Amgen Scholars and University of California SRTP Stipend
2019:	Research Experience for Undergraduates Stipend, Brandeis University
2017 – 2021:	Recipient of the Founder’s Scholarship, Grinnell College

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I have been interested in Neuroscience since I had watched a video of a man experience phantom limb pain in 2014. However, it wasn’t until after my liberal arts undergraduate education and outside laboratory experiences when I realized I wanted to combine my two passions: Neuroscience and music. My interest lies within understanding the complex behaviors that occur in our brain and body while listening to music, especially when music is used as a form of therapy. Additionally, my goal is to explore the impact music may have on individual resilience as a form of proactive therapy. With my biological chemistry background, I hope to explore systematic and molecular questions, as well as approaching them from a more emotional and behavioral point of view.