Isabella Hansen

Isabella Hansen is a student at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science. She is from Quechee, Vermont.

The summer after her freshman year, Isabella received an internship at the Cognition & Epilepsy Lab and started learning how to use computer programming languages to organize FMRI datasets, which led her to her minor. She then decided to spend the following summer exploring a different side of research, joining a lab studying the environmental factors contributing to ALS. During her time on the project, she participated in field research including traveling to several local bodies of water to collect samples and environmental data.

“Those two experiences taught me invaluable lessons including patience, determination and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations in the field,” said Hansen. “Though each experience was different, it is through them that I realized my enjoyment in pursuing answers to unanswered questions.”

During her free time, Isabella is a tutor with Habitat for Humanity, a member of Psi Chi and a Reference & Circulation employee with the Olin Library at WashU. She also enjoys swimming, reading and hiking.

“This summer, I will be examining the correlation between self-reported scores of neuroticism and brain structure volume,” said Hansen. “Specifically, I will be trying to create scores for polygenic risk with respect to neuroticism, depression and brain structure.”

She will be working with Dr. Ryan Bogdan.