Undergraduate

BP-ENDURE student: Kelvin De Leon

Year

Focus

BP-ENDURE

What year did you participate in the BP-ENDURE Program at Brown?
I participated in the BP-ENDURE Program at Brown in the summer of 2015 and summer 2016.

What research project and laboratory did you work in?
I worked with Dr. Tara White. At the White lab, I studied the neurocognitive effects of alcohol and stimulants on healthy volunteers. The first summer, we investigated the effects of alcohol on heavy and light drinkers. The second summer, the research I was analyzing investigated the effects of Adderall on the emotional, physiological, and neurocognitive performance of healthy college students without ADHD.

Where are you from?
My parents migrated from the Dominican Republic and I was born and raised in New York City.

Why did you decide to pursue research in brain science?
I am pursuing the study of the neuroscience of drug addiction to understand the challenges of drug users.

What is your most memorable experience from your training in brain science at Brown?
My most memorable experience from my training during the summers at Brown was the poster sessions held at the end of each summer. In both occasions, the event was a reflection of the professional development, innovative research, and personal growth Brown had to offer.

What are you doing currently?
I am a PhD student in the Neuroscience department at Brown University.

What are your future career plans?
My long-term goal is to become a professor at a research institution. As a professor active in research, I will be able to further unfold the neuroscience of substance use.

What is your favorite activity outside of the lab?
I am currently using my free time to train in weight lifting and practice self-care.