Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology doctoral candidate Nora Wolcott's research focuses on investigating circuit-level dynamics in the context of memory and spatial coding. Before pursuing graduate school at UCSB in 2020, Wolcott received a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a B.A. in Music Performance from George Washington University, and has worked at the National Institutes of Health studying the neural circuitry underlying feeding behavior.
Wolcott received this year's Winifred and Louis Lancaster Dissertation Award for research in Biological and Life Sciences for their dissertation titled Hippocampal Structure and Function are Modulated by a Dynamic Endocrine Environment.
In this Commencement Q&A, Wolcott shares their grad school experience and the future holds for them after UCSB.
Q&A
I was genuinely honored and a bit surprised—it’s deeply gratifying to see the work recognized, especially after so many years of effort. I’m really thankful to everyone who supported me along the way.
As an advisor, Professor Michael Goard has created a strong and welcoming community in the Goard Lab, fostering a scientific environment that has been a pleasure to work in. His thoughtful mentorship, consistent support, and empathetic approach challenged me to grow as both a neuroscientist and a communicator. I’ve learned not just how to do rigorous science, but how to think creatively and lead with integrity.
It’s been a transformative experience. Academically, I’ve grown so much as a scientist, and personally, I’ve found a strong sense of purpose through community work, especially with the RCSGD advocating for queer and trans students, as well as other efforts to support diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. I’m grateful for the mentorship, friendships, and the chance to contribute to a more inclusive community, all with an ocean view.
As a next step I am joining the lab of Dr. Bob Datta at Harvard Medical School. I am excited to continue to pursue questions at the intersection between systems neuroscience and endocrinology, and push to make neuroscience research accessible for and applicable to all. Ultimately, I hope to start my own lab and empower scientists of all backgrounds to investigate these questions with rigor and creativity.
DID YOU KNOW?
Wolcott was a finalist in the 2021 UCSB Grad Slam competition. Their 3-minute research talk was titled "From Mice to Men: Interrogating the Role of the Hippocampus in Alzheimer's Disease."
Watch Wolcott's talk here.