Reppucci Research Group @ Wheaton College (MA)
What We Do | Who We Are | What We Believe | News
Principal Investigator
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Christina Reppucci, PhD
Professor of the Practice I joined the Psychology & Neuroscience Department of Wheaton College in 2021. With help from a team of enthusiastic undergraduate assistants (see below) and funding support from the Wheaton College MA Provost's Office, we are currently investigating the role of neuropeptide signaling in the regulation of juvenile social play behavior by the ventral tegmental area. Outside of the classroom/lab you will often find me snapping photos of flowers, or cuddling with my cat. |
Undergraduate Researchers
Alexandria Taylor '25
Biochemistry Major; Psychology Major
I am from North Carolina and I am on the Wheaton College Swim Team. I am a Wheaton Athletic Mentor as well as the Academic Leadership Committee Chair on the swim team. I am a part of the Women in Stem club and Outdoors club. I am double majoring in Biochemistry and Psychology and I am an Eliza Wheaton Scholar as well as a part of Tri-Beta. I have recently discovered my interest in neuroscience and my goal is to keep learning about it!
Michelle Aum '25
Neuroscience Major; Women & Gender Sutdies Major
I grew up in Illinois and am a senior at Wheaton majoring in Neuroscience and Women and Gender Studies. My interest in neuroscience grew from a seventh grade science fair project on multitasking and has continued on into college! Following graduation, I hope to continue working in research (though I don't know the specifics quite yet). Outside of the lab, you might find me reading, playing Cats&Soup, and watching movies in old theaters!
Claire Deans-Rowe '27
Neuroscience Major; Environmental Studies Minor
I have always loved biology, having grown up watching the BBC Walking With Dinosaurs series on repeat. I love evolutionary biology, but neuroscience has quickly caught up as an interest of mine. In my free time I enjoy knitting, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and drawing.
Emma Zhou '27
Neuroscience Major; Visual Art Major
I am a neuroscience and visual art double major at Wheaton College with a great interest in the intersection between artistic creativity and science. I am also very interested in the biological drivers of human and animal behavior. In my free time I enjoy collecting as many hobbies as humanly possible. Some notable hobbies include sewing, ceramics, and cooking.
Jimena Chavez - Martell '27
Neuroscience Major; Pre-Med Concentration
My name is Jimena and I grew up in Colorado. I’m majoring in Neuroscience on the Pre-Health track at Wheaton College, where I’m also the Vice President of the Latin Student Association and the Social Media Coordinator for the Wheaton American Chemical Society. I’m an Eliza Wheaton scholar and I work as the front desk Assistant for the Residential Life Department and Student Activities In Leadership. I have always been deeply fascinated by the human brain and driven by a strong desire to help others. My goal is to share my knowledge with the world to inspire those around me and encourage others to follow their dreams just as I pursue mine. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I plan to attend medical school and dedicate my career to serving others as well as making a meaningful impact on global health. During my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga, reading, spending time with friends, calling my mom, and traveling to new places.
Former Members
Jordan Cook '26
Neuroscience Major
Jordan worked in lab during Summer 2024.
Rachel Cozzens '24
Neuroscience Major
Rachel worked in lab from February 2022-May 2024.
Cassidy Fitzpatrick '24
Psychology Major | Biology Major
Cass worked in the lab from June 2023-May 2024, during which time she was awarded research grants from TriBeta and Psi Chi to support her senior Honors Thesis in Psychology - Behavioral Neuroscience titled: The effects of oxytocin signaling in the ventral tegmental area on the regulation of social and anxiety-like behaviors.
Ben Goho '24
Neuroscience Major
Ben worked in lab from June 2022-May 2024, during which time he was awarded a research grant from TriBeta to support his senior honors thesis in Neuroscience titled: The effect of environmental enrichment on social play, anxiety-like behavior, and plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex.
Sadie Drouin '23
Neuroscience Major, Pubic Health Science Minor, Pre-Med Track
Sadie worked in lab from February 2022-May 2023, during which time she completed a senior honors thesis in Neuroscience titled: The effects of maternal separation and social isolation on memory and myelin in adolescent rats.
Sadie is currently a research associate at the Broad Institute.
Nina Lin '23
Psychology Major
Nina worked in the lab during Fall 2022 for her internship for PSY-337: Practicum in Psychological Research, and during Spring 2023 for an Independent Study.
Nina will be attending graduate school in Fall 2023.
Nina Lin '23
Psychology Major
Nina worked in the lab during Fall 2022 for her internship for PSY-337: Practicum in Psychological Research, and during Spring 2023 for an Independent Study.
Nina will be attending graduate school in Fall 2023.
Nyima Bhuti '25
Major Undeclared (thinking about Neuroscience or Biology)
Nyima worked in the lab during Summer 2022 and was supported by a Summer Faculty-Student Research Grant awarded by the Committee on Faculty Scholarship & Promotion, and the Provost's Office at Wheaton College MA.
Nyima Bhuti '25
Major Undeclared (thinking about Neuroscience or Biology)
Nyima worked in the lab during Summer 2022 and was supported by a Summer Faculty-Student Research Grant awarded by the Committee on Faculty Scholarship & Promotion, and the Provost's Office at Wheaton College MA.
