Neuroscience graduate student awarded diversity fellowship
Victoria Popov, a fifth-year neuroscience graduate student at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry recently received a prestigious diversity award from the . Popov works in the lab of John Foxe, PhD, and Edward Freedman, PhD, where her research identifies exercise-linked neural changes that may result in improved inhibitory control in people with and without schizophrenia during a treadmill walking exercise intervention.
Popov completed her undergraduate studies in biomedical sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She stayed at RIT as a scholar to complete an MS in professional studies with concentrations in biomedical sciences, psychology, and health systems administration. She then came to the University of Rochester as part of the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP).
Popov has been recognized with the award, which is designed to support a pathway across career stages for outstanding graduate students from diverse backgrounds that are underrepresented in neuroscience research. It will facilitate six years of funding, two for the completion of a graduate degree, and four for postdoctoral research. It will ultimately provide career development opportunities as Popov becomes an independent neuroscience researcher.
The current treatment for people with schizophrenia are antipsychotic medications coupled with psychotherapy, but cognitive challenges persist. However, recent research has suggested that exercise may mitigate some of these symptoms. Popov鈥檚 research uses the Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) to assess cognitive control processes in the brain using high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to test the impact exercise, particularly treadmill walking, has on the brain. Her research will aim to develop a larger-scale and longer-duration aerobic exercise intervention in a clinical trial to yield more effective functional outcomes in schizophrenia.
As Popov transitions into a postdoctoral position, she plans to create computational strategies for imaging and mapping sensory-cognitive neuronal processes across the brain in people with and without schizophrenia using MRI data. As an independent researcher, she plans to continue this research, transitioning into investigating variations of sensory-cognitive neural circuits generating auditory and visual hallucinations now also for individuals who are D/deaf or hard- of-hearing (D/HH) with schizophrenia.
Popov鈥檚 goal is to better understand the neuronal processes underlying sensory, motor, and cognitive functioning in people with and without neurocognitive disorders, particularly schizophrenia, and to develop personalized treatment algorithms.
Popov is also a member of the Del Monte Institute Neuroscience Diversity Commission and co-leader its NEURO2ALL community outreach group.
