What's it like to study neuroscience at UNH? A student shares his research experience

Meet Quinn Marino, a senior neuroscience and behavior major with a minor in psychology at the University of New Hampshire. Quinn shares what sparked his interest in neuroscience, some of his favorite experiences at UNH and how undergraduate research and new opportunities have shaped his college experience.

explore neuroscience and behavior

Why did you choose UNH? 

I was drawn to UNH because of the beautiful campus and proximity to home.

Being on Main Street, specifically in the T-Hall area, you are immersed in the quintessential New England college campus UNH is.

What's something about UNH that most people don't know? 

At UNH hockey games, there is a tradition of throwing a fish onto the ice after UNH scores their first goal.

What advice would you give your freshman self?

I would tell my freshman self to say yes to as many things as possible. I have joined clubs, become an EMT, played on intramural sports teams, conducted my own research, traveled to Rome, met so many cool people, and many more interesting things. I continue to challenge myself everyday to step outside of my comfort zone.

Favorite UNH course?

My favorite course I have taken at UNH is Cognitive Neuroscience. In this discussion-based, writing-intensive class, we began by exploring theories about the relationship between the mind and the brain. This class took what I had learned in my core neuroscience course a step further, teaching me new ways to think about life that I had never considered before.

Why did you choose your major?

I've always been fascinated that everything I am comes from a tofu-like substance filled with electrical and chemical activity inside my skull. The brain shapes our consciousness, memories and emotions, helps us understand the world around us and regulates our bodies. It's one of the most complex things we know of, yet there's still so much we don't understand about how it works. That's what drew me to neuroscience. I hope that as we learn more about the brain and its capabilities, we can use that knowledge to help people live healthier, happier lives.

What are your aspirations for the future? How is your time at UNH helping you get there? 

I do not have a direct answer to the question for where I will be in the future. I do know that whatever I am doing it will be in service to others. Whether it is a career in education or a career in medicine, I want to be able to help others achieve healthy and happy lives. 

Through my major courses, I have honed in on what I like about neuroscience and how I can apply that to my future career. 

Have you taken part in any undergraduate research opportunities? 

I have been a part of the Brain and Experience lab at UNH. Overall, this lab observes how experiences shape and change cognition and the morphology of brain. I am a part of a study observing how running alters cognition/behavior as well as the morphology of neurons in rat brains.

Favorite spot in Durham?

My favorite spot in Durham is College Woods.