What is your name?
Brianna Austin
Where are you from?
I am from Ghana, but I grew up in Milton Keynes, UK
To which class you belong to?
MSc in Translational Neuroscience, Class of 2024
What and where did you study before joining Imperial College London?
I studied Neuroscience BSc (Hons) at Queen Mary University of London
Which research project did you work on?
My research project was titled “Investigating hierarchal control among functional networks disrupted by Opioid Use Disorder using effective connectivity”, supervised by Dr Danielle Kurtin. My research focused on using computational neuroscience and machine learning to better understand the differences in brain connectivity in those with opioid use disorder and healthy controls. Dr Kurtin and the addiction team treated me more as a colleague than a student. This was a project highlight for me as I felt trusted and valued for my contributions. This collaborative dynamic also allowed me to take ownership of my work and approach the research with more confidence and independence
How did you find your Master experience at the College?
I found the course to be challenging but extremely rewarding. At the beginning, I knew I did not have the most extensive computational neuroscience skills, but I wanted to develop them. The fast-paced nature of the course meant that this was possible but required patience and long hours of work. However, it pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways that I had not anticipated, which helped both my personal and professional growth
Where are you now?
I am in London
What are you working on?
I am working on a neuroscience podcast that I co-founded during the Masters called ‘Craving Clarity’. Building on my research project, I will begin working as a research assistant in the Addiction Team at Imperial to understand the neural correlates of substance misuse better
What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master student?
The process itself is as important as the outcome. Every assignment or mock presentation teaches you something valuable. Research is rarely straightforward or linear, however, the unexpected setbacks and challenges are crucial as they spark creativity
How did the Master programme help you get to where you are now?
The programme confirmed my interest in translational neuroscience, exposing me to the diversity of the field. As the programme bettered my computational skills, I am now enthusiastic about data science and AI for healthcare. If it were not for this programme, I would have never attended my first conference, the British Association of Psychopharmacology 2024, presented my work or begun the podcast. I am very grateful for the academic and personal opportunities the programme provided and very excited for the future as a neuroscientist!