Natalie Wood

I am a recent graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavior, pursuing a future in the medical field as a physician. I am currently in my first year of my two gap years ! I moved from my home state of Florida to Colorado Springs to marry my high school sweetheart (he is stationed here for the next two years or so). I am a very social creature but never at the expense of my work, graduating with a 3.7 GPA juggling 3 jobs in college !

Psychophysiology of Affect across the Lifespan (PAL) Lab - Undergraduate Research Assistant at University of Notre Dame (2025-01 – 2026)

Department of Psychology (PSY)

• Conducted participant-facing EEG and behavioral research for studies focused on Digital Observation and Positive Affect (DOPA) and assessing neurobehavioral markers of positive valence systems within mother-infant dyads (BEAM).
• Developed an inclusive hair preparation for the EEG guide to increase participant comfort and quality of data collected.
• Authored Research Assistant training scripts and procedural guides.

S.P.Q.R Memory Lab - Undergraduate Research Assistant at University of Notre Dame (2024-01 – 2025-01)

Department of Psychology (PSY). Advisor/Supervisor: Dr. G.A. Radvansky

• (Cognitive) Forget About It (Memory Retention and Consolidation)
• (Cognitive) Who, What, Where (Event Cognition)

Rocky Mountain MIRECC - Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education - Assistant Researcher (Intern) at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Hospital (2023-06 – 2023-08)

Department of PMR/Psychiatry/Neurology. Advisor/Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Brenner, Dr. Andrew Hoisington, Dr. Christopher Stamper

• Conducted literature research on potential RNA primers to maximize bacterial output in human samples and their applications. This included utilizing qPCR analysis and sample processing.
• Applied findings to a broader study conducted on Veteran populations through the U.S. Veteran Microbiome Project to forward efforts toward establishing the association between gut microbiome health and potential supplementation of probiotics to alleviate stress.

Organic Chemistry I & II Laboratory - Teaching Assistant at University of Notre Dame (2024-08 – 2026)

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry (CHEM)

• Supervised laboratory sections of undergraduate students, reinforced safety protocols, demonstrated several chemistry laboratory techniques, and troubleshooted experiments.
• Mentored students and fostered confidence in challenging STEM coursework.

Neuroscience & Behavior Laboratory - Teaching Assistant at University of Notre Dame (2025-01 – 2025-05)

Department of Biological Sciences (BIOS)

• Led laboratory demonstrations, guided experiments, including those involving neural simulations and SPSS statistics, and reinforced the importance of ethical use of animals in the lab environment.

Summer Scholars Pre-College Program Exploring the World of Chemistry - Teaching Assistant at University of Notre Dame (2025-06 – 2025-07)

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry (CHEM)

• Provided mentorship to high school students in an immersive STEM program and through lab activities.

B.S. in Neuroscience & Behavior (NSBH) – University of Notre Dame (2026-05)