Research Ambassadors
Odessa Meulbroek '27
Email me at: omeulbro@u.rochester.edu
Discipline(s) of Research
- Life Sciences
Major(s) and Minor(s)
- B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
- B.A. in Psychology
- Minor in Studio Arts
Areas of Interest/Research Focus
Research:
- Episodic memory and event segmentation; evaluating how expertise influences narrative comprehension across different types of narratives | Naturalistic Cognition Lab, PI: Coraline Rinn Iordan, Spring '24 -- Fall '25
- Collective behavior in homing pigeons; assessing how group dynamics influence routes taken during flight, how pigeons learn collectively in a loft setting | Collective Cognition Lab, PI: Takao Sasaki, Spring '26 -- present
Grants/Fellowships/Awards:
- Meliora Scholars Fellowship
- Schwartz Discovery Grant
- Bilski-Mayer Fellowship
- Research Presentation Award
- Getting started in research/reaching out to professors
- Conducting independent research projects
- Exploring different research interests
- Grant application writing
- Attending and presenting at conferences
What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?
It's okay to admit that you don't know how to do things, but say it early on so that you don't get stuck and confused. Ask for advice, then ask for it again.
To get into research, you don't need a litany of experience -- you need intrinsic motivation, and a willingness to learn. Show clear interest and know that research is a building process. You may not like what you do initially, but it will take you somewhere that you do.