Mind, Brain, and Behavior Scholar Program
The MBB Scholar Program supports faculty-ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø research by providing ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø stipends and faculty funding for mind, brain, or behavior-related projects.
This opportunity from the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative (MBBI) is open to faculty from all departments and is designed to promote high-caliber research collaboration that identifies and develops excellent ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íøs from diverse backgrounds.
Program Benefits
Student scholars receive a summer research fellowship and stipend for up to 80 hours of project research in both the fall and spring semesters. In addition, the faculty mentor can receive up to $3,000 in funding for project supplies. Extra support may be available for travel and resources at other institutions or for conference travel expenses.
How to Apply
The application deadline for 2026-2027 scholars has passed. We intend to accept applications again for 2027-2028 in January or February 2027 (exact date to be determined).
Faculty should identify a ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø to guide on a research project related to mind, brain, or behavior, and submit a one-page application for funding. The application should include:
- A description of the project with clear designation of the connection to mind, brain, and behavior (see for guidance) - one page
- The ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø’s resume and a description of the role of the ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø, addressing why this particular ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø is a good fit for the project - one-to-two paragraphs
- Potential broader impacts (e.g., broadening the MBB pipeline, public engagement, etc.) - one paragraph, if any
Submit proposals to Ben Lennertz, chair of the MBBI advisory committee.
Selection Process
An MBBI panel will review proposals and select the scholars. The panel will consider the following criteria:
- Clarity of the question to be addressed
- Relevance of the question to mind, brain, and behavior
- Focus on multiple or overlapping aspects of mind, brain, and behavior
- Significance of the proposed work
- Quality of work that may be expected of the ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø
- Meets other institutional requirements for summer research (e.g., is conducted on campus, involves eight or more weeks of research, etc.).
Contact
Direct any questions to Ben Lennertz: blennertz@colgate.edu.
Current MBB Scholars
Emily Collins
Scholar Emily Collins ’27 works with Professor of Biology, Krista Ingram, to understand the molecular mechanisms linking circadian misalignment to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) using multi-SNP genotyping.
Leo Li
Scholar Leo Li ’28 works with Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Lauren Philbrook, to examine children’s sleep and cortisol, a stress hormone, as pathways that contribute to socioeconomic disparities in children’s developmental outcomes.
2025-26
- Anna Fleischer: Scholar Anna Fleischer ’27 worked with Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Ewa Galaj, to determine whether alcohol affects cholinergic neurons in the brain.
- Lily Kibby: Scholar Lily Kibby ’26 worked with Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Erin Cooley, to explore how contexts of inequality create stereotypes that link race with social class, shape subjective perceptions of status and, thus, influence health.
- Flynn McGrath: Scholar Flynn McGrath ’26 worked with Professor of Physics, Ken Segall, to investigate the dynamics of artificial neurons made from superconducting circuit elements called Josephson junctions.
2024-25
- Anzi Wang: Scholar Anzi Wang ’25 worked with Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Grusha Prasad, on her project on the relationship between confirmation bias and adaptation in the use of uncertainty expressions.
- Liam McCarthy: Scholar Liam McCarthy ’26 worked with Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Jacob Goldberg, on his project exploring the role of zinc in auditory and olfactory perception.
MBBI-BIRC Summer Interns
MBBI has partnered with the Brain Injury Research Center (BIRC) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai to create a pilot internship program for Colgate ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íøs. The ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íøs work with researchers at BIRC on cutting edge brain injury research.
The 2026 MBBI BIRC Summer Interns are Clare Acuti ’27 and Avery Pickering ’27.
We hope to offer the program again in summer 2027. Details on applying will be posted in fall 2026.
MBBI-supported Summer Internships
MBBI works with Career Services to support ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íøs who undertake summer projects beyond Colgate, focusing on topics related to mind, brain, and behavior. We are excited about this new way to support ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íøs in having experiences that wouldn’t be possible on Colgate’s campus and to gain new knowledge and skills.
The 2026 Interns are Lucy Lu and Cenjing (CJ) Wang.
How to Apply
The application deadline for 2026 MBB Summer Interns has passed. For summer 2027, please apply through Career Service's Summer Internship Funding Program.
Contact
Direct any questions to Ben Lennertz: blennertz@colgate.edu.
2025
Maggie McCarthy ’27 worked at The Center for Attention and Learning at Lenox Hill Hospital and The Promise Clinic, where she supported comprehensive, no-copay neuropsychological evaluations for children in New York City through tasks like scoring assessments, writing reports, and participating in intake and feedback sessions.
Mikayla Schwartz ’27 joined Dr. Emily Belleau’s research team at McLean Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, as a ÉÁµç×ÊÔ´Íø visitor. She assisted in the Laboratory for Translational and Affective Neuroscience, where the research explores the relationship between stress regulation and depression in adolescents.
Clara Vickery ’26 shadowed Dr. Erez Nossek at NYU Langone's Neurosurgery department, helping coordinate a research project on Pipeline Embolization Devices with the neurosurgery department.