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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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The Hemlock Transcripts
There is a lot to learn about the end of life from those who are dying. Unfortunately, the knowledge of these experiences is often lost because most people don’t like talking about death. Yet, we don’t have to talk; we just have to listen. Voluntary death has played a dynamic role in the Western world. […]
Africa Together 2017
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Humans in harmony
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Out from the margins
Like many children in Pakistan, Sara Kazmi was educated in English. In 10th grade, she took part in the production of a play in classical 18th century Punjabi. It got her interested in the issue of language politics and it is an interest which has only grown over time. Her PhD at the University of […]
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Two scholars share Bill Gates Sr. Award
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From Tasmanian Devils to bone regrowth
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Day of research 2017
The latest research in areas ranging from how cognitive science can illuminate Brexit to the links between democracy and contemporary forms of imprisonment will be on display at this year’s Gates Cambridge Day of Research next month. The flagship internal event of the Gates Cambridge Scholars Council will take place on 12th May. The Day […]
