Gracie Cain

Gracie is an incoming fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology (Neuroscience) and the Smeal Business Fundamentals Certificate. Her research interests are diverse, including neuroplasticity in children with mood disorders and the biological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. She is intrigued by the myriad unresolved questions in the field of neuroscience, such as how early clinical interventions might restore typical neural development in children and the mechanisms behind abnormal protein aggregation in the formation of amyloid plaques. Gracie aims to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience, with the goal of helping patients feel seen, heard, and supported, while contributing to research that enhances their quality of life. Outside of the lab, she currently serves as treasurer for both Psi Chi and U-Belong, works as an office manager at a law firm in State College, and is a behavioral coder in the PAIR Lab. Some of her small joys in life include getting sushi with friends, exploring nature, and reading classic literature and thrillers