Penn LPS Online Certificate in Neuroscience ’24
Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz ’20
In summer 2022, Audrey Cavanah (Certificate in Neuroscience ’24) moved from the West Coast to start a new job at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine. Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in biology and work experience in biomedical research, they stepped into a research specialist role with Penn Neurology. After a year of working on a migraine research study, Audrey considered returning to school. “My bachelor’s degree was broad,” they explain. “I was at a point where I really wanted to expand my academic knowledge with more neuroscience-specific coursework so I could apply it to my work in the lab.”
When a colleague introduced them to the Certificate in Neuroscience at Penn LPS Online, Audrey knew the opportunity was the right fit.
“I looked at the courses that were offered and I thought they could be useful for me,” Audrey says, particularly the behavior-focused classes. “I’m doing a lot of research in the lab looking at hormones, proteins, and peptides and how they interact with behavior,” they explain.
Over the 2023-24 academic year, Audrey studied part time, completing NEUR 1000: Introduction to Neuroscience (the required first course in the certificate), NEUR 2600: Hormones, Brain, and Behavior, NEUR 2000: Behavioral Neuroscience, and NEUR 2800: Autonomic Pharmacology to earn the four-course certificate.
As they progressed through the four courses, Audrey found the concepts from the classroom were applicable in the lab. “There were multiple moments in class where I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve seen that behavior result in mice in the research I’m doing!’ Something would make sense and become clear to me because a teacher had phrased it a certain way or put a specific pathway in front of me,” they share. “The coursework contextualized a lot of my migraine research as well as the research my coworkers are doing on epilepsy and Alzheimer's.”
Not only was the course content what Audrey was looking for, the online, asynchronous course format offered them the flexibility to study around their full-time job. “I’m usually on a nine-to-five schedule, so it would be hard to fit in an in-person class at 1 p.m., for example, or even a three-hour lecture after work,” they say. Penn LPS Online coursework, however, can be approached differently. “It was much easier for me to break the classes up into digestible chunks and work them into my schedule,” they explain. “Doing wet lab experiments, I’ll sometimes have 30 or 45 minutes where I’m waiting for a reaction to happen and looking for something to do. It was really useful for me to be able to sit down and watch a half-hour’s worth of lecture videos or spend that time on homework questions.”
With convenient course delivery, Audrey cautions, also comes responsibility. The neuroscience classes are demanding. “You have to be ready for fast-paced courses that get detailed quickly. You really need to be committed and stay on top of the classwork to succeed.” Luckily, they report, the Penn LPS Online program comes with built-in support systems. “My professors were available if I needed them; They had their office hours and were very responsive on Canvas discussions or via email.” Audrey also found the Penn LPS Online program team to be attentive and helpful with logistical questions. And despite not meeting in a traditional classroom setting, Audrey developed a community with fellow classmates. “I felt like I had a cohort where I could ask questions about study techniques or see if anyone was struggling with a specific concept from class,” they share.
Audrey finished the certificate in May 2024. A year before, they had been leaning toward a career in genetic counseling. Now, they are considering a different path. “After taking the certificate, especially alongside doing neuroscience research, I’ve noticed a change in myself: I really love neuroscience and the kind of work I’m doing. I feel more drawn to continue in a career in neuroscience than I was before I started the certificate.”
For a next step—before eventually pursuing graduate studies—Audrey is considering taking the additional neuroscience courses offered by Penn LPS Online (two more classes would earn them the Advance Certificate in Neuroscience), or perhaps completing the Certificate in Data Analytics, which would be valuable for any future research work.
“For me, the Neuroscience Certificate was a wonderful learning experience,” Audrey shares, “and I’m excited to continue learning through the Penn LPS Online program to broaden my skillset.”
