Maria Mosley ’17

Meet a Pangborn Phox who’s thriving (and smiling) as a science major!

To start things off, tell me a bit about yourself.  Fast facts.

Ok!  Well, I’m from Springfield, IL.  I love science, and I’m planning to go into either medicine or pursue teaching in research in neuroscience or some other biological field.  Outside of class, I’m involved in our campus’s German Club and a student organization called Social Justice in American Medicine!  I also love to run and draw in my free time.

As a sophomore, do you have any advice for current and incoming freshmen?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and meet new people.  Freshman year is all about making new friends and having new experiences!  Also, don’t doubt yourself.  I had quite a few hard classes my freshman year that were a blow to my academic confidence, but it’s important to keep faith in yourself and keep working hard!

Maria and her three roommates.  Don’t they all look like Campus Cuties?

Considering your freshman year, what’s the hardest decision you’ve made at Notre Dame so far?

What path I wanted to follow with my studies was definitely the hardest.  There are so many things I’m interested in–biology, neuroscience, English, psychology–that it was difficult to choose the major that would best suit my interests and goals for the future.  I’ve decided on pursuing the newly-approved major in Neuroscience and Behavior (in the College of Science) with a minor in Science, Technology, and Values. I’m very satisfied with my decision.

So far, is there one professor that’s stood out to you as being especially influential?

Probably Kathy Eberhard.  She taught a small seminar in psycholinguistics that I took the first semester of my freshman year, and I’m actually working in her lab this semester.  We study the way people process language, and she has actually been involved in some of the most groundbreaking experiments in her field.  She’s such an intelligent, welcoming woman, and I’m lucky I get to work with her and have her as a mentor. 

Onto some lighthearted questions.  Can you describe your personal style for us?

To be bundled up in a cocoon of blankets, haha.  On a more practical note, I wear a lot of jeans and sweaters and beanies.  I like to be casual and cozy!

Maria and her boyfriend at Lollapaloooza.  Definitely stylin’ there.  :)

Lastly, what are your desert island movies?

Hmm…in no particular order–Anchorman, Wayne’s World, The Dark Knight Rises, School of Rock, and The Princess Diaries.

Thanks Maria!

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