Mary Beth earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Biosystems Engineering from Auburn University, where she also obtained a minor in Philosophy. Now a Research Associate at Cornell, she works on machine learning for systems neuroscience. Her interest in neuroscience, particularly embodied cognition, was sparked by the birth of her niece, the movie Blade Runner 2049, and the book The Body Keeps the Score. In her free time, she loves creating and tending to aquariums and reading historical and science fiction.

Erin received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology from Colby College. She then worked in the Pasupathy lab at the University of Washington studying interactions between visual and prefrontal neurons in head-fixed primates during a visual occlusion task. Broadly, she is interested in studying behavior and vision in increasingly natural contexts and her research in the Sarvestani lab focuses on understanding how brains use the body to construct perception of the external world. Outside of lab, she enjoys hiking, crafting, and snuggling with her cat.

Sharvari earned her Master's degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. Previously, she has worked in cancer research and muscle regeneration. Neuroscience has always drawn her curiosity, particularly the parts that make you rethink how the mind and body work. In her free time, she loves painting, reading, and watching movies.

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Zed Deas is an undergraduate student at Cornell University, majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Animal Physiology. Aspiring to a career in veterinary medicine, they are motivated by a passion for understanding and aiding diverse animal species. Their interest in neuroscience stems from a curiosity concerning how the brain orchestrates communication and interaction with the rest of the body. In their spare time they enjoy caring for their various plants, knitting, crocheting, and watching sci-fi shows.