Former Session Instructors

Tricia Simon is a third-year PhD student in the Biology Department at the University of South Carolina, conducting her research in the Patel Lab. Her work focuses on the study of drug-induced dystonia via the use of antipsychotics. Tricia earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Carolina. Following her undergraduate studies, she worked at Nephron Pharmaceuticals as an Analytical Chemist and Microbiologist for two years before returning to USC to pursue her PhD.

During her time at USC, Tricia has taught various laboratory courses, including Biology 101, 460, and 302. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending quality time with her four-year-old, as well as cooking, baking, and swimming.

I am a senior at the University of South Carolina in the Neuroscience major with a distinction in Neurodevelopment and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. I initially began my exposure to research when I joined Dr. Welshhans’ lab as a undergraduate research assistant in May 2023. Since then, I have been able to delve deeper into the molecular mechanisms that alter growth cone elongation in Down syndrome fibroblasts. In addition to my interest in the wet lab research experience, I also enjoy learning more about the physical and communication limitations of neurodevelopmental disorders that alter childhood.

As my time at USC comes to an end within the next year, I plan to continue my path to pursue medical school with a focus in pediatric neurology. Outside of school, I am an avid runner (training to run my first marathon before I graduate), love trying new foods, and traveling to new places.

I am a senior in the SC Honors College, with a major in biology and minors in Chinese studies and women and genders studies. I am currently working at the Welshhans lab investigating local translation and adhesion mechanisms in Down syndrome cells to better understand differences in neurodevelopment. In the past, I have also volunteered at the Early Social Development Lab exploring early biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder and did a summer internship at the Columbia VA where I used rodent models to understand the effects of stress on mitochondrial respiration in the brain. After I graduate, I hope to go to medical school, where I can continue to explore the intersection of research and medicine. In my free time, I enjoy running, learning to cook new cuisines, and hanging out with friends.