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Scholar Program

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The MBB Scholar Program supports faculty-student research by providing student stipends and faculty funding for mind, brain, or behavior-related projects. 

This opportunity from the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative (MBBI) is open to faculty from all departments and is designed to promote high-caliber research collaboration that identifies and develops excellent students from diverse backgrounds. 

Current Scholars

Portrait of Anna Fleischer ’27

Anna Fleischer

Anna Fleischer ’27 processes the brains of alcohol-treated rats using immunohistochemistry to determine whether alcohol affects cholinergic neurons in the brain. She works with Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Ewa Galaj.

Portrait of Lily Kibby ’26

Lily Kibby

Lily Kibby ’26 applies sensors that will measure skin conductance, ECG, and cardiac impedance to assess SNS and PNS activity in response to a lab stressor task. She works with Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Erin Cooley.

Portrait of Flynn McGrath ’26

Flynn McGrath

Scholar Flynn McGrath ’26 makes adjustments and takes readings of the outputs of a supercooled artificial neuron. He works with Professor of Physics, Ken Segall.

Program Benefits

Student scholars receive a summer research fellowship and stipend for up to 80 hours of project research in both the fall and spring semesters. In addition, the faculty mentor can receive up to $3,000 in funding for project supplies. Extra support may be available for travel and resources at other institutions or for conference travel expenses.

How to Apply

Proposals will be accepted for 2026-2027 scholars. Due date and requirements will be updated soon. Below are last year's requirements.

Faculty should identify a student to guide on a research project related to mind, brain, or behavior, and submit a one-page application for funding. The application should include:

  1. A description of the project with clear designation of the connection to mind, brain, and behavior (see for guidance) - one page
  2. The student’s resume and a description of the role of the student, addressing why this particular student is a good fit for the project - one-to-two paragraphs
  3. Potential broader impacts (e.g., broadening the MBB pipeline, public engagement, etc.) - one paragraph, if any

Submit proposals to Ben Lennertz, chair of the MBBI advisory committee. 

Selection Process

An MBBI panel will review proposals and select the scholars. The panel will consider the following criteria:

  • Clarity of the question to be addressed
  • Relevance of the question to mind, brain, and behavior
  • Focus on multiple or overlapping aspects of mind, brain, and behavior
  • Significance of the proposed work
  • Quality of work that may be expected of the student
  • Meets other institutional requirements for summer research (e.g., is conducted on campus, involves eight or more weeks of research, etc.).

Contact

Direct any questions to Ben Lennertz: blennertz@colgate.edu.

Past Scholars (2024-2025)

Scholar Anzi Wang in front of graphs

Anzi Wang

Scholar Anzi Wang ’25 works on her project on the relationship between confirmation bias and adaptation in use of uncertainty expressions. She works with Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Grusha Prasad.

Scholar Liam McCarthy poses in front of a hood full of chemicals

Liam McCarthy

Scholar Liam McCarthy ’26 works on his project on the role of zinc in auditory and olfactory perception. He works with Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Jacob Goldberg.