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Benjamin Cocanougher
- Alumni
- United States
- 2016 PhD Zoology
- St Catharine's College
I grew up catching praying mantises and damselflies in rural Kentucky. As an undergraduate at Centre College, I majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; I spent my summers taking care of sick children at the Center for Courageous Kids and doing research in organic chemistry and neuroscience. I matriculated directly to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed my first three years of medical school. I then moved to Janelia Research Campus as a HHMI Medical Research Fellow; there I studied the neural and genetic bases of behavior. As a PhD student in Zoology, I will study adaptive behavior. All animals integrate information about past experience into future decisions; this is the basis of learning and memory. I am proposing to write a specific memory and read the memory trace in the brain. I will use the fruit fly as a model organism. By understanding mechanisms of memory storage, we can begin to investigate changes in memory formation in disease; this may allow us to develop rational therapies for disorders of memory formation, including autism and Alzheimer’s disease. After completing my PhD, I will return to finish my last year of medical school and pursue a career as a child neurologist and neuroscientist, using my lab to better understand the patients I see in clinic.
Previous Education
Centre College
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Latest News
Safer energy
Niraj Lal [2008], or Nij as he is known, practises what he preaches. Since arriving at the University of Cambridge on a Gates scholarship, he has been involved in a whole range of outreach work with children and adults, explaining the work he does researching solar cells and panels. He adds: “I think one of […]
The story of the butterfly and Chaos Theory
A Gates scholar will be talking about a short story he wrote for children about Chaos Theory on the radio this weekend. Niraj Lal (2008) will be speaking on the “Science in Fiction” show on CamFM radio at 6pm on Sunday. The show is hosted by Dr Andy Holding and will discuss all things related […]
New Gates scholars enjoy orientation weekend
Scores of new Gates scholars spent the end of September on an expedition to the Lake District. All the 90 new Gates scholars were invited to take part in the orientation long weekend in Ambleside. The event offers the chance to bond and make new friends and is an introduction to the Gates experience. This […]
Prehistoric preschool art
Research into art made by young children in one of the most famous prehistoric decorated caves in France will be revealed by a Gates scholar at a conference this weekend. Archaeologist Jess Cooney [2009] will tell a conference on the Archaeology of Childhood at Cambridge University how meticulous research, using methodology tailor-made for the task, […]
The dancing doctor
Nicole Person-Rennell is a busy person. Not only is she studying medicine and embarking on an MPhil in Public Health, but she is also a professional dancer. While an undergraduate and a trainee doctor she has managed to combine dancing in a professional group and her studies. It is something she plans to continue even […]
Gates alumnus addressses International Standardization Organization meeting
A Gates alumnus was part of the British delegation to the International Standardization Organization (ISO)’s meeting in China last week. Pradipta Biswas took part in the meeting in Shanghai in his capacity as an expert committee member of the British Standardisation Institute. He gave a presentation on behalf of the European Virtual User Modelling and […]
Crime fiction vs crime fact
How do sensationalised stories about crime affect sentencing policy? Tovah Ackerman believes there is a link between how a crime is presented and sentencing policy. She also believes that painting a true narrative of the lives of some people who are accused of crimes can lead to more lenient penalties. She plans to do her […]
Speakers announced for Gates career webinar
An international panel of speakers will take part in a Gates webinar on career development, continuing research and networking on 8th October. The webinar, the second in a series of talks for scholars on career development, will be moderated by Gates alumni, Pradipta Biswas and Rose Spear. The keynote speaker is Pat Langdon, Senior Research […]
Looking to the stars
Like many other children, Jonathan Diaz used to look up at the sky and marvel at the immensity of our Galaxy. His interest was driven by a passion for story-telling, for understanding the narrative of the cosmos and trying to communicate and connect with other worlds. The difference is that he didn’t content himself just […]
What is the future for news?
As paid-for media struggle to stop plummeting readership, Gates scholar Andrew Gruen is investigating what a successful business model would look like for a new media start-up Gruen, who has himself worked for a range of media including BBC News Online and an NBC affiliate tv station in Florida, is interested in the kind of […]
