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Simon Segal: A Chemical Connection

By Emily Warpool,
Dean's Office, College of Arts & Sciences

Senior Simon Segal has spent 3 years at NKU turning his thought process inwards to study the human brain. With backgrounds in Biochemistry, Biology, and Psychology, Simon is utilizing his unique vantage point to gain insight into the science of human behavior.

Through simultaneous work on multiple projects within the Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology departments, Simon has been able to interconnect his research projects to create a bigger picture of the biological and chemical process behind human psychology.

Specifically, Simon has been working with Dr. Kebede Gemene and Dr. Mark Bardgett to study the long-term effects of antipsychotics on the brain development of specimens with Autism-like phenotypes. Simon’s personal favorite project, however, involves custom-engineering a biological membrane that would allow for the measurement of Chloride in the presence of Salicylate in blood samples.

Simon says that he has his own brain chemistry to thank for his ongoing success, saying “I enjoy the problem solving aspect (of research) and the increased value of critical thought”

After he is set to graduate in May 2017, Simon plans to continue his education and become a research physician, specifically studying biochemical intersection of the immune system and the nervous system in the development of various mental disorders.