Author: Adiki Puplampu
Date: 11 August 2026
For Hiwot Gebremedhin, the thrill of her major in neuroscience is the draw of the many unanswered questions in the field. She was first introduced to neuroscience during a tour of a biomedical lab during her time in the WISEST Program and appreciated the way neuroscience embodies and studies the brain’s capacity to grow and change.
Like many ELITE Program interns, Hiwot first heard about the program through friends who had gone through it. The program’s emphasis on hands-on research experiences and the opportunity to develop practical research skills were what initially enticed her, and this summer working under Dr. Jessica D’Amico at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Hiwot has the opportunity to explore her field in a hands-on real-world setting.
Her project this summer is focused on optimizing stimulation parameters for a neuromodulation treatment technique for patients with cervical spinal cord and stroke injuries. The current literature lacks research on optimal stimulation parameters for transcutaneous spinal stimulation, the treatment option in use. In future, this work can be used to create guidelines for future research as the literature is still developing around rehabilitation support for people experiencing upper extremity loss.
In her lab, Hiwot has been surprised to see the diversity of professional backgrounds represented in the lab environment from researchers to physical therapists. As one of two ELITE interns working at the Glenrose this summer, Hiwot is looking forward to seeing her project continue to progress, assisting with rehab sessions, and developing her knowledge on previously unfamiliar processes such as research ethics approval.
When she thinks about characteristics she admires in the professionals around her, Hiwot thinks of her friends in neuroscience a few years ahead of her and the way they embody their curiosity and drive to refine their own understanding. She finds it contagious and also admires the way they are able to simplify complex subjects to make them understandable to others.
Looking to the future, Hiwot sees a career in healthcare as a physician but doesn’t want to give up on her interest in research and hopes to develop a career that blends the two.