NEURONAL:
An Informal Mentoring Program
NEURONAL is a supportive mentorship community that helps students from diverse backgrounds pursue STEM goals. By fostering early STEM interest, offering research experiences, and peer-guiding academic and career paths, NEURONAL equips participants to tackle critical questions and drive interdisciplinary progress. Many of the mentees have benefited from our programs and have entered science.
Interested in neuroscience, genetics, cell biology, or a related field?
Looking for research experience on how to approach graduate school?
Join us to grow in STEM and build connections!
Our joint meetings with Neurophsyched combine mentorship, networking, and exciting activities! From engaging discussions and hands-on experiences to fun events and creative projects, there’s something for everyone. Join us to explore STEM, connect with peers and professionals, have fun, and PIZZA along the way!
Spring 2025 Meetings:
Wednesdays 5pm-6pm (beginning on 1/29)
UNM SUB Sandia Room 3019
Optional Course Credit Registration: BIOL 402/502: Neuronal (1 credit hour)
Stay Connected To stay up to date on our meeting topics, new events, and potential research opportunities, please join our social platforms below.
Coordinators:
Jessica Belmares-Ortega PhD student Biology jbelmares@unm.edu
Ethan Wilson PhD student Biology ecwilson@unm.edu
Maciah Shendo MS student Human Health MMShendo@salud.unm.edu
Spring 24, Schedule
NEURONAL (Neuroscience Experiences and Undergraduate Research Opportunities for Native Americans, African Americans, and Latinos/Hispanics) aims to build a community of mentorship and support for students to meet their next scientific goals. A common goal among students is to obtain research experience and enroll in a graduate research program. As such, this program seeks to provide guidance on navigating college, graduate school, and alternative pathways toward a future profession in STEM through discussion between peers and STEM leaders.
We meet monthly to discuss trending topics in science, connecting students at various levels and fields with principal investigators from various universities. Together we share graduate school resources and personal advice to establish a support network encouraging growth and discovery.
NEURONAL supports students from various backgrounds and study levels to create an early interest in STEM and seek unique research experiences, and provide early guidance and understanding in pursuing a related career pathway. Early discussion of these topics will improve student acceptance and retention in STEM educational programs and careers. Upon enrollment, the students will make a positive contribution to address outstanding questions not only in this field, but may also improve understanding at an interdisciplinary level.
We thank all the visiting scientists for interacting with our mentees and Old Town Pizza for sponsoring pizzas.
You can preregister for the program here link
Virtual mentoring session 2021
