Research Neuroscientist Brianna Ward

Neuroscience I chose this career because I plan on majoring in it in college My mentor is Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) I would like to get a PhD in neuroscience research and find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and Fibromyalgia

What kind of work does a research neuroscientist do? Neuroscientists research and treat conditions of the brain and nervous system. Their job consists of running studies and experiments, analyzing data, doing computer research, reading, and writing up lab reports and methods.

Working Conditions The workplace can be a college or private research lab, depending on who the employer is. Most people will work 40 to 50 hour weeks. If the researcher is the head of a lab they have a more flexible schedule. Depending on who they work for, they may be able to set their own work hours. You can decide whether you want to work alone or with others. If you choose to work with others then you are more likely to reach a conclusion sooner and complete your work. The workload can be extremely stressful. You have to worry about whether or not you can secure funding. The experiments can be extremely tedious and may not work the way you want or need them to. One neuroscientist said that he and his coworkers “can spend years on one experiment, according to “What is Life as a Research Scientist.” If you are also a professor or teacher then you deal with the deadlines and publishing.

Career Outlook The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that the average salary for medical scientists was $90,230 and the top scientists in the field earned more than $149,310 a year, as said in “Salary of a Neuroscience Ph.D. & M.D”. Research and development companies paid an average of $100,430 a year. One of the highest salaries was $189,760 a year. According to “Careers in Neuroscience,” most people that work in basic research were employed by government agencies, universities, or private companies. You are more likely to get hired with a Ph.D. or M.D. Scientific breakthroughs, higher degrees, and working with a company for an extended period of time can lead to promotions and salary raises. Related careers are neurosurgeon, psychologist, neuropsychologist, behavioral neuroscientist, and much more.

Education Some of the most important classes to take in high school (if offered) are AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, and AP Calculus. More jobs are available to people with higher degrees such as a Ph.D. or M.D. Some supportive organizations are the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, the Psychonomic Society, and the American Medical Association.

College Morehead State University Total cost: $20,186 a year Program provided: Neuroscience Credits/hours needed for a Bachelor of Science: 36 general education, 53 area requirements, 31 general electives Transylvania University Total cost: $47,030 a year Program provided: Neuroscience Courses needed for a Bachelor’s Degree: 4 intro courses, 2 intermediate courses, 4 upper level courses, 3 electives, and students must declare an emphasis on biology, psychology, or computer science

Qualifications You must have a college degree. Masters, Ph.D., and M.D. in neuroscience, biochemistry, biology, or chemistry are preferred. You have to be able to deal with possibly stressful working conditions and occasionally work with others. You have to be prepared to deal with failures due to not all experiments and projects being successful. You must be prepared to work strenuous hours if necessary. Have to be able to shrug off stress and the over-demanding workload from your manager, lab instructor, or employer.

Non-Economic Benefits Once you’ve successfully completed a project or experiment then you may be heavily rewarded, depending on how large of a breakthrough it is. Depending on your hours, you may have free time to travel and take vacations. Many people are too busy working on hard projects to take time off, but the effort is well worth it. If you find a cure, you have the reward of knowing that you just saved thousands and maybe even millions of lives. That’s why I want to pursue this career.

Disadvantages & Special Situations Travel: Mostly conferences Occasionally international trips (depends on employer) Universities for speeches or projects. Hazards: There aren’t many unless you work with animals for some research.

Mentor: Mayim Bialik She has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is an actress (Big Bang Theory). She balanced a full time job and school. She said “all the hard work was worth it” and “the rest of your life depends on what you do in school” when asked about school and becoming a neuroscientist when she had been an actress as a teenager.

Personal Thoughts One of the most important things I learned about this career is that the work will be hard and stressful. I think this occupation is suitable for me because I am fascinated by the brain and what it can do. I also want to help people with the diseases they are struggling with and I think I am up to the challenge. There’s no reason why I believe this wouldn’t be a good career for me. I will definitely continue to pursue this career, and I plan on getting a Ph.D. in research neuroscience.

Research Neuroscientist Although the college curriculum and work hours will be strenuous, neuroscience has economic and non- economic benefits, both of which I plan on enjoying. A research neuroscientist has a job unlike any other.

Citations “Salary of a Neuroscience Ph.D. & M.D.” Work. Web. 5 Nov “Careers in Neuroscience Research.” Web. 5 Nov d_Salary_Info.html d_Salary_Info.html “What is Life like as a Research Scientist?” – Research science Grad school Neuroscience. 12 Dec Nov “Interview with Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik - Learning Series - ENGINEERING.com” Interview with Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik - Learning Series - ENGINEERING.com. Engineering.com, Web. 5 Nov w-With-Big-Bang-Theorys-Mayim-Bialik.aspx w-With-Big-Bang-Theorys-Mayim-Bialik.aspx