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ATLANTA — For neuroscience and psychology student José Jarquin (B.S. ’24, B.S. ’24), his bountiful curiosity has been at the heart of his academic journey at Georgia State University but his interest in the workings of the human brain started while he was in high school.
The native of Dacula, Ga., was introduced to courses on the psychology and cognition behind human behaviors through dual-enrollment programs that further solidified Jarquin’s interest in the fields of neuroscience and psychology. Upon starting his undergraduate degree program at Georgia State, Jarquin’s inquisitiveness led to a desire to become more deeply involved in learning by exploring research. However, as a first-generation college student, financial barriers made working a priority over pursuing research opportunities until a hard-earned award launched a major turning point in Jarquin’s journey.
In 2022, Jarquin earned a spot in the nationally recognized Maximizing Access to Research Career (MARC) Assistantship funded by the National Institutes of Health. The goal of the MARC program at Georgia State is to help prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers in biomedical research, starting with undergraduate research and moving directly into master’s and Ph.D. programs in related fields.
This award initiated a series of prestigious opportunities to prepare Jarquin for a research career. Under the mentorship of Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Erin Tone and Senior Research Scientist Michael Schlund of the Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Jarquin studied the neural markers that underlie social decision-making.
“I was always curious about behavior,” Jarquin said. “Through the MARC Assistantship, I had the chance to learn about research and lab opportunities where I worked alongside scientists at the forefront of discovery, posing questions and seeking answers that advance our knowledge.”
When reflecting on his undergraduate research pursuits, Jarquin’s passion for neuroscience and human behavior is palpable, and he credits the MARC Assistantship for allowing him to gain further hands-on experience in his field.
“The fellowship really changed my career journey. It allowed me not only to get involved in research but also to discover my passion and enjoyment for scientific discovery,” Jarquin said.
Jarquin’s neuroscience research also spans several higher education institutions and conferences. It has set him on a pathway to continue making contributions to the neuroscience field after graduating this fall.
“I have had the opportunity to complete summer internships at Duke University and Johns Hopkins as well as present my research and honors thesis at Georgia State’s Undergraduate Research Conference (GSURC) and national research conferences,” Jarquin said. “These opportunities have been super important in shaping my development as a researcher and plans for the future.”
Jarquin plans to embark on a research career studying neuroscience. Building on his academic experiences while at GSU, he aspires to obtain a Ph.D. and further study the neurobiology of social motivation, behaviors and reward processing. Jarquin believes studying the mechanisms that drive these processes can help advance our understanding of both healthy well-being and underlying factors that contribute to psychiatric disorders.
— Story by Jennifer Balcita
— Feature photo by Raven Schley