Ellie Wojcikowski: Third-year undergraduate pursuing a BS in Neuroscience with a certificate in clinical and translational sciences and minors in Spanish and Psychology

What is the focus of your work?
My research focuses on biological markers of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. I am a part of two labs on campus: the Mechanisms of Adult and Youth Psychopathology Lab (MAYPL) with Dr. McCleery and Parker Lab with Dr. Parker. Across both labs, I use a variety of techniques to measure differences in functioning for Schizophrenia and related disorders. Studying both mice and humans, I research topics like interval timing, eyeblink conditioning, and heart rate variability.
Tell us about the broad impact you'd like it to have?
A disorder as complex as schizophrenia doesn’t just affect the individual—it impacts friends, families, and our communities. It has always been in my nature to help people, and my research is an extension of that quality. By integrating my work in both labs, I aim to contribute to a more complete understanding of schizophrenia. Ultimately, I hope my work encourages a world where people affected by severe mental illnesses are met with understanding, effective care, and the support they need to thrive.
What excites you about the research environment in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences?
One of the things I appreciate most about CLAS is the commitment to involving undergraduate students in research. I was able to start working in MAYPL during my very first semester at Iowa with no prior research experience. This speaks to the college’s commitment to accessibility and hands-on learning. I also value CLAS's collaborative approach. Whether it’s training under the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, working with the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, or collaborating with the Carver College of Medicine, the university's interconnected structure has helped me be a better researcher. In my experience, “Iowa Nice” is a real thing, and we are all better for it!
Any favorite things to do in Iowa City?
I love catching a $4 Friday movie at FilmScene, grabbing a mocha at Encounter Café (the biggest one they have, hot with whole milk), and walking around campus, usually stopping to admire the Old Capitol Building.