Jeff Aston ’09’s fascination with the human brain culminated this past summer when he researched ischemic brain injuries through his fellowship at St. Lawrence.  He worked with Associate Professor of Biology Joseph Erlichman, who sparked Aston’s interest in advanced neuroscience as a sophomore.

 “I was fascinated with the lab procedures and implications of the research we were conducting so I continued to work in his lab up to my fellowship,” Aston says.  “Over the course of my fellowship, I learned a plethora of lab techniques and was able to explore my passion in the neuroscience field.”

Academics aside, Aston enjoys reading, snowboarding and noodling on the electric guitar.  He was also a member of the men’s soccer team.  Initially, he was drawn from East Setauket, NY, and Ward Melville High School to the environmental studies program at St. Lawrence.  But neuroscience proved to be his true calling.  “My time here has been a tremendous learning experience,” Aston says.  “I’ve really matured as both a student and an individual.”

The relaxed atmosphere at St. Lawrence helped Aston feel right at home.  “A majority of the students are down-to-earth and accepting of different types of people and ideas,” he notes.  “My favorite part about SLU is the close student-professor relationships you can form; I feel that larger schools don’t provide this opportunity nearly to the degree that SLU does.”

Aston plans to take the grueling MCAT exams within the next year before he applies to medical school.  He expects to pursue a career as a surgeon or pharmaceutical researcher.  “I’ve taken full advantage of the opportunities I was given and feel more than ready to face future challenges in both academia and the real world,” he maintains.