The academic spotlight of the day came from faculty member Sarah DeMoya, Lecturer in Psychology and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Neuroscience & Behavior major. Her talk, “Memory Under the Microscope,” offered a fascinating look at how different types of memory work and what shapes how we remember. Professor DeMoya also shared her hands-on approach to teaching, including her innovative course Neuroscience Methods: Cells & Circuits, which places students directly in Columbia labs using tools such as fMRI and behavioral research techniques. Notably, GS students make up a majority of the course’s participants—reflecting her ongoing collaboration with GS to expand research access and opportunities across the University.
The day concluded with a powerful alumni and student panel that brought the GS story to life. Alumni Serengeti Timungwa ’22GS, Simas Chacar ’25GS, and Montana Roesch ’24GS, joined current GSers Dominic Dupont and Sai Sai Han Hark to share stories as varied as the GS population itself—from returning to college after incarceration, to rediscovering creativity after a childhood acting career, to changing professional directions as an international student. Despite their different journeys, a common theme emerged: a deep appreciation for the strength and kindness of the GS community. For families of the School’s newest students, the conversation was a reassuring reminder that GSers don’t just find their place at Columbia—they thrive in it.
