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Trhn-Gal4 Drosophila Brain Imaging

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UF Psychology and Business Student, Neuroscience Researcher

Passionate about being a gator, scientist, and life-long learner

Hello! My name is Brooke Benedict - thank you for stopping by my site. I am a senior at the University of Florida graduating 2026 with a B.S. in General Psychology and a B.S. in Management. From studying abroad to volunteering on campus, being a Gator is a huge part of my identity! I am passionate about getting involved with research labs, nonprofits, and other opportunities not only because it is what I love to do, but because it challenges me to learn something new every day. I am passionate about studying both business and psychology, because at every turn I notice diverse ways that both disciplines impact how we interact with the world.

Currently, my work at the McKnight Brain Institute focuses on studying the relationship between the deprivation of deep sleep and cocaine addiction, particularly the sensitization that makes cocaine so dangerous. I hope to continue focusing on neuroscience, especially in relation to addiction, ADHD, and neurodegeneration, throughout my education.
 

Research Programs

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UF Summer Neuroscience Internship Program (SNIP)

SNIP is a full time 10-week paid research internship. Through SNIP I was able to not only become a full time member of the Laboratory of Neuronal Circuits and Cognitive Behaviors at UF, but also attended a the weekly summer Neuromedicine Seminar Series, presented my final project at the SNIP Celebration of Research Day, and participated in weekly professional development workshops. 

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University Scholars Program

USP selects 200 students at UF from any discipline to have their research journey supported through stipend and professional opportunities. Through USP's support, my final project focusing on the  the relationship between cocaine sensitization and sleep deprivation is being prepared for UF's 2026 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium and to be published in the Journal of Undergraduate Research.

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