Society of
General physiologists

Angelique Allen
University of Oregon
MBL Course: Neural Systems and Behavior

SGP: What are your current research interests? 

Angelique: I am a cephalopod neurobiologist who is interested in how the octopus brain encodes polarized light information.  

SGP: Could you share a little-known personal fun fact?    

Angelique: I am an avid rock climber who has climbed in every state west of the Rocky Mountains.  

SGP: What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?    

Angelique: As a young scientist who is building my skills and confidence in neurophysiology, receiving this scholarship from the SGP is a very powerful reminder that I am well supported to pursue my research passions

Isaac Breinyn
Princeton University
MBL Course: Physiology

SGP: What are your current research interests?    

Isaac: In general, I study collective behavior in mammalian systems. The cells that make up your body must work together to execute a wide range of biological processes from development to wound healing and do so in consortia of 10's to 100s' of thousands. This is where the emergent phenomena that make up collective behavior come into play. I study the physics that dictates the way these cells move together to achieve specific goals, and how we can modulate that behavior to better understand and assist biological functions. 

SGP: Could you share a little-known personal fun fact?   

Isaac: When I'm not working in the lab, I love to either be on the water rowing, or at home producing electronic music. I find that a balanced lifestyle, where I keep my body and creative mind busy, is extremely important for general success, particularly during graduate school.

SGP: What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?   

Isaac: Receiving the SGP Scholar recognition is an honor, and the financial prize will help fund my summer at Woods Hole, where I will hopefully gain important skills and experiences to carry through the rest of my PhD at Princeton. 

Max Kenngott
Brandeis University
MBL Course: Neural Systems and Behavior

SGP: What are your current research interests?    

Max: My current research interests are in mapping the timescales of homeostatic mechanisms in neurons of the stomatogastric ganglion and studying rapid behavioral evolution in Red Swamp Crayfish.

SGP: Could you share a little-known personal fun fact?   

Max: Before starting grad school, I worked as a translator. 

SGP: What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?   

Max: I took a long break from the sciences after a series of setbacks in my early twenties. Coming back to research has been a daunting process, and I've spent lots of time and energy fretting that I'm too old to start a career in science, or simply that I don't have what it takes to succeed. This award certainly takes some of the edge off those concerns. It's also a very nice boost to a graduate stipend.

Cara Motz
Georgia Tech
MBL Course: Neurobiology

SGP: What are your current research interests?    

Cara: I am excited about neuromechanobiology as an emerging field! My research is focused on evaluating the mechanobiological effects on how the elusive Glutamate Delta 1 Receptor found at the synaptic cleft functions and is involved in neurodevelopment through synaptogenesis.

SGP: Could you share a little-known personal fun fact?   

Cara: I grew up playing competitive tennis and traveling all over the southeast. It was a dream and goal to go pro and win at least one Grand Slam – obviously, that didn’t happen (yet) ha! :)

SGP: What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?   

Cara: Receiving this scholarship is huge for giving me the motivation and resources to continue paving the way in a largely undeveloped field and area of research. It reassures and encourages me that mechanistic research is still important and there are people out there that value it and support it, even when it sometimes seems unorthodox or full of risks. It excites me to continue pursuing this work knowing that I have a community willing to support developing scientists. 

About the SGP Scholars @MBL

The Society of General Physiologists was established at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) at Woods Hole, which has a long-standing history for excellence in general physiology research. To honor our historic relationship with MBL and to encourage and support the next generation of bright and motivated general physiologists, each year SGP selects MBL Scholars from the students accepted to any one of four MBL Advanced Research Training Courses: Embryology, Neural Systems and Behavior, Neurobiology, and Physiology.

Each SGP Scholar @MBL receives a $500 award from SGP and a one-year complimentary membership to SGP, including online access to the Journal of General Physiology. The scholars are also featured in the SGP social media account and newsletter. The Society may also choose to recognize other applicants as honorable mentions and award them a one-year complimentary membership to SGP. We hope that the SGP-MBL Scholars and honorable mentions will grow to become long-term members and supporters of the Society and the field of general physiology.

Students accepted to one of the four MBL courses are invited to submit an application, which consists of their MBL course applications and personal statements in which they are asked to describe how their research aligns with the mission of SGP.