Welcome to the Duke Neuroscience Peer Mentoring Program 2025-2026!
Are you interested in mentoring an underclassmen neuroscience student this year? Would you like to share your wisdom and experience on how to find a research laboratory, conduct an independent study research project, select neuroscience courses, apply for graduate/medical school, and navigate neuroscience resources at Duke? If yes, we encourage you to apply to be a mentor with the Neuroscience Majors’ Union and Summer Neuroscience Program’s Peer Mentoring Program!
Not only will this opportunity provide you with formal leadership and mentorship training in research and academic settings, but also allow you to make a genuine and lasting impression on an underclassmen at Duke.
After carefully matching mentees and mentors, the Program will host monthly dinner talks and social opportunities to facilitate bonding between the pairs. Resources will also be provided to mentees and mentors throughout the year to ensure a supportive experience for both.
Potential Mentors for 2025-2026:
Amelie Finn
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience (BS), Chem (BA), Global Health (minor)
Career Goal: Healthcare (Medical School)
Amelie hopes to help a mentee with labs, classes, and campus resources. Other than academics, Amelie is involved in Devils en Pointe ballet company, and Lady Blue acapella!
Isabella Abrajan
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience
Career Goal: Healthcare (Medical School)
Isabella would like to help a mentee with figuring out classes, networking among peers, forming study groups, and finding neuroscience resources. Outside of that, Isabella is on Duke’s swim team, and also enjoys napping and Costco trips!
Erin Burns
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience, Decision Sciences Certificate, Philosophy Minor
Career Goal: PhD program and industry (healthcare consulting)
“I found a lab through Muser, so I am familiar with that process. I also participated in the Summer Neuroscience Program. I believe I would be able to help navigate interesting electives to take/major requirements. It would be a great opportunity to help underclassmen navigate being a Neuroscience major, and I would love to share my positive experiences! Outside of academics, I love to read, do hot yoga, crochet, and spend time with friends.”
Caleb Bekele
Year: 2027, Major: Neuroscience Major, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and Chemistry Minor
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc)
“I would help my mentee with figuring out classes, volunteering or shadowing resources, finding research. I love playing sports, i do IM soccer. love watching movies, taking and editing pictures, learning the ukulele, going out on hikes, bike rides, and listening to music.”
Syeda Aafreen
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience Major, Chemistry and Biology Minors
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc)
“I can help my mentee with finding a lab and research. I can help them figure out which neuroscience electives to take, along with how to prepare for the core neuroscience courses. I am pursuing GwD, so I can give them insight into that process as well. My hobbies include reading, going on walks, and watching tv shows. Outside of class, I’m involved with FEMMES+ (STEM education outreach) and MSA.”
Nana Osaki
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience BA, Spanish and Korean minors
Career Goal: Graduate School (PhD, masters, etc)
“I think I would do best paired with a non-premed neuro major, but I am a project director so I know a lot of resources that are presented to freshmen. Outside of academics, I am on Duke Swing and am in an asian cultural acapella group.”
Seth Liyanapathirana
Year: 2026, Major: Neuro + Global Health
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc.)
Seth would like to help a mentee with research, classes, and being premed. Outside of academics, Seth likes to play tennis and listen to music.
Aman Maredia
Year: 2027, Major: Neuroscience Major, Chemistry Minor
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc.)
“I can help my mentee in finding a research lab, figuring out classes, navigating between the old/new neuroscience curriculum. Outside of academics, I love playing/watching basketball and trying new foods.”
Katherine He
Year: 2027, Majors: Neuroscience, Global Health; Minor: Chemistry
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc.)
“I would help my mentee find a lab, figure out classes, and help navigate studying abroad as a premed. In my free time, I love to cook and bake, read, and ski.”
Maella Koffi
Year: 2027, Major: Neuroscience Major with a Child Policy Certification
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc), Nurse Practitioner
Maella would help a mentee primarily with figuring out classes. Outside of academics, Maella likes to volunteer, thrift, go to concerts, and dance!
Ashleigh Waterman
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience, minor: chemistry
Career Goal: Medical school and PhD school (MSTP)
Ashleigh would like to help a mentee find a lab and help with research opportunities. Outside of academics, Ashleigh is really interested in nutrition, is involved in orientation, and likes to hike and climb!
Kristina Schaufele:
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience major, Chemistry and Comp Sci minors
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc)
Kristina would like to help her mentee in figuring out classes, finding a lab, and navigating requirements while being premed. “I’m super involved with research on campus & pre-med volunteering, but I also love activities that are entirely separate! I love to run, cook new meals, and go on hikes with friends.”
Libby Gough
Year: 2026, Major: Neuroscience, Minors: Global Health and Chemistry
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc)
“I can help with figuring out classes and getting involved with research/independent study.At Duke, I am also EIC of the yearbook and photograph a lot of Duke sporting events. In my free time, I love to try new coffee shops and restaurants, do workout classes, go on walks with friends, and travel.”
Isadora Mamikunian
Year: 2027, Major: Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry
Career Goal: MD, PhD, “I want to be able to do translational research in the future. This implies working with patients during a portion of the week and then doing wet lab or focusing on the mechanistic pathway of whatever specialty I work with the other days.”
“I have taken a good amount of neuroscience classes before so I can definitely help with class selection. I have also been both a Duke life mentor and blue devil buddy and can use these experiences to become a better mentor, and specifically cater to underclassman needs. I currently work in two labs and can help with drafting emails to prospective labs, and with balancing lab and school work. I enjoy anything that can be interdisciplinary or help me connect an idea to a universal view. For example, I love going hiking and seeing mountains tower above me, swimming, or going to a museum. I love to read philosophy and books that play with perspective. I enjoy Japanese food, sunset runs, and cafe conversations!”
Kiara Lavana
Year: 2027, Major: Neuroscience, Sociology, Chemistry
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc)
Kiara would help a mentee with lab/research, figuring out classes, advice on major/minors, study skills/organization, and going abroad. Kiara likes taking walks and trying new foods.
“I am on Duke Dhamaka, a dance team here at Duke. I’m currently abroad, so I would need a mentee okay with meeting on Zoom for the first semester. I would love to talk about my decision to go abroad and anything else!”
Harry Wang
Year: 2027, Major: Neuroscience, Global Health and Chemistry minors
Career Goal: Health Care (Medical School, PA school, etc)
Harry would like to help a mentee with finding a lab, conducting research, and navigating the MCAT. Outside of academics, Harry enjoys pottery and triathlons.
