Maryann Lorino, from Birmingham, Alabama is currently working to obtain her Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her honours thesis will analyse the effects of neurodevelopmental disorders, like autism spectrum disorder, on cerebral cortex development. Maryann has conducted research at both University of Tulane and University of Chicago, at the latter she is in the process of working on a manuscript that will measure social cognition across dementia subtypes. She also works in Tulane’s Synthetic Biology Club as a team leader teaching common wet lab techniques to undergraduates and will be competing in the Annual Gogec Synthetic Biology Competition in 2024. Other activities at Tulane include being involved with The Research Ambassadors, student representatives for Tulane’s Office of Undergraduate Research, where Maryann helped create the Tulane University Research Network, a database that helps students find research opportunities on campus. She is a General Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistant and is Co-President of Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering Student Government. Professionally, Maryann is a Student Ambassador for the United Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) Foundation and volunteers at Children’s Hospital New Orleans and at the Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama, where she works with individuals who have intellectual disabilities. Long term, Maryann plans to pursue an MD/PhD focusing on stem cell therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases with a view to developing clinical trials that will transform the lives of patients with such conditions.
As a Marshall Scholar, Maryann will study for 2 years at the University of Edinburgh. Here she will pursue a Master of Research Degree in Integrative Neuroscience followed by a second Master of Research Degree in Regenerative Medicine.