Success Stories are articles highlighting the achievements of NGSP alumni

ONE PATH TO SUCCESS - 10/3/08

In fall 2008, Zachary Weil will receive his doctoral degree from the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program at The Ohio State University. But how does one young man’s fascination with psychology take him on a path of becoming one of the leaders in behavioral neuroscience?

Zach’s journey begins as an undergraduate student majoring in psychology. Earning a B.S. (honors) degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University and winning second place in the Denman Undergraduate Research Competition for his research project in Dr. Ben Given’s lab were the first steps toward his path of success. Along the way he met Dr. Randy Nelson, whose research had great practical applications for diagnostic and public health areas which interested Zach. Dr. Nelson encouraged Zach to pursue graduate school and apply to the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program at OSU.

During his 4-year tenure in the neuroscience graduate studies program under the mentorship of Dr. Randy Nelson, Zach amassed numerous publications and awards for his research in how environmental conditions regulate reproduction, immune function, the nervous system and behavior. Specifically, he examined how adaptation to changing photoperiod affects recovery from experimental neurological damage and how social cues can alter the behavioral symptoms of acute infection. Zach’s research yielded a total of 20 published articles in scientific journals such as the Journal of Neuroscience and Behavioural Brain Research. In October 2008, Zach made the cover of Molecular Psychiatry http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v13/n10/covers/index.html. He was also featured in an OSU Research News article titled STUDY SUGGESTS WHY HEART ATTACK VICTIMS DO BETTER WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT.

In addition to his publications, Zach presented his research at Society for Neuroscience Annual Meetings and Society for Behavioral Endocrinology Meetings as well as other local, national, and international meetings. In recognition of Zach’s knowledge and contributions to behavioral neuroscience research, he received the following awards: a University Fellowship, a Mary S. Muellhaupt Presidential Fellowship, an American Heart Association (AHA) Predoctoral Fellowship, and a Society for Neuroscience Graduate Student Travel Award. 

Zachary Weil began his journey with a fascination for psychology and along the way acquired the training to become a postdoctoral researcher at Rockefeller University in the labs of Bruce McEwen and Donald Pfaff.  Continuing on his journey Zach is poised to emerge as one of the leaders in behavioral neuroscience.

Contact:  Zachary Weil, Zweil@rockefeller.edu

Written by Keri Bantz, keri.bantz@osumc.edu