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Neuroscience Program

Peer Advisors

Madeline Coquilla

Madeline Coquilla '24

NEUROSCIENCE

Hi everyone! My name is Madeline Coquilla and I am a Bay Area Native from San Jose, California. In addition to Neuroscience, I have minors in Biology and Creative Writing as I believe that it is important to nurture both your academic and creative pursuits in college. In my free time, I love to read and write poetry, explore local bookstores, and attend the multiple culture clubs the Multicultural Center (MCC) has to offer. I adore the Neuroscience program and everything it has given me. From close connections with professors to career opportunities that have opened my eyes to new paths like pursuing Ph.D. programs, I owe everything to this department. As a neuroscience peer advisor, I’m so excited to talk to all of you about your interest in this wonderful program! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions and I will gladly help you out!


Mackenzie Fredericks

Mackenzie Fredericks '25

NEUROSCIENCE

Hello everyone! I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia and I am so excited to be a resource for all of you! I am currently a research assistant in the Lab of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience with Dr. Chen on campus researching the differences in episodic and semantic memory in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing soccer, and listening to music. I look forward to guiding you all on your paths to success and don’t hesitate to reach with any questions you may have!


Shelby Jennett

Shelby Jennett '24

NEUROSCIENCE

Hi everyone! I am from Sunnyvale, California which is just a 20 minute drive away from campus. Aside from my Neuroscience major, I'm also a philosophy minor. At SCU, I do research in Ethics and Virtual Reality with Dr. Erick Ramirez, I'm a research assistant in Dr. Tillman's lab, a fellow for the healthcare ethics internship, and a peer mentor in HPPA. After SCU, I plan on applying to medical school and taking a gap year. Outside of school, I love to go hiking, relax at the beach, and read a good book. I'm so thrilled to meet you all, and feel free to reach out and ask me anything!


Michael Nguyen

Michael Nguyen '24

NEUROSCIENCE AND MUSIC

Hi everyone! My name is Michael Nguyen and I am from Milpitas, California. I am a pre-medical student hoping to specialize in anesthesiology, neurology, or cardiology as a physician. In addition to neuroscience, I am also interested in bioethics and neurodegenerative diseases. At SCU, I am a research assistant in Dr. Lindsay Halladay’s behavioral neuroscience lab and a member of the wind ensemble. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, practicing clarinet, or doing Taekwondo. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and helping you out in any way I can!


Emily Rios

Emily Rios '24

NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOLOGY

Hello everyone! I am originally from Radnor, Pennsylvania and I am looking forward to meeting everyone on campus! I am very interested in studying mental health and well-being in relation to neuroscience. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time outside, and listening to all sorts of music. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions and I am looking forward to meeting you all and helping out in any way I can!


Email us at neuroadvising@scu.edu.

Contact Us

Patti Simone, Director

John Birmingham, Assistant Director

neuroscience@scu.edu