Alongside her peers, Symes will present her exemplary research at the College of Arts and Sciences' Northeast Under/graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience (NEURON) Conference on Saturday.

“The NEURON Conference provides a unique opportunity for students to step into the broader scientific community,” said Professor of Psychology and Director of the Behavioral Neuroscience Program Adrienne Betz. “It’s a space where undergraduates and graduates can present their work, network with peers and professionals and see how their efforts contribute to the larger field. For many, it’s their first experience sharing research in a professional forum, which builds both confidence and communication skills.”

Syme’s study, which is titled "Hormonal Modulation of NF-kβ in Chronic Stress Responses: The Role of the Estrous Cycle," focuses on the behavioral and cellular differences in female rodents. Measuring NF-kB levels and cellular differences in vaginal swabs, Syme’s draws major conclusions about the estrous cycle, shedding light and providing foundational knowledge to women’s health care research.

“A lot of current research, especially at the preclinical level, focuses on male models. Hormonal fluctuations are often ignored or disregarded when research is being conducted,” said Syme. “The hope is that my research shows how a female hormonal cycle creates different results when being compared to the exact same protocol carried out in males. Especially when it comes to mental health, women are affected at a much higher level than men. Hopefully, this will emphasize the need for a broader focus on a representative population in research.”

Both academically and personally, the NEURON Conference provides a platform for researchers to further their professional development, discuss their research and promote collaboration among neuroscience researchers and educators.

“Presenting at NEURON often marks a turning point for students.

Academically, it deepens their engagement with their research — they prepare more rigorously, think more critically, and take more ownership,” said Betz. “Professionally, it opens doors — students often make connections that lead to graduate programs, internships or research opportunities. It’s empowering for students to see themselves as part of a real scientific community, not just as learners but as contributors.”

Selected to present her research at the finale of her senior year, this moment is a full circle for Syme as she remembers feeling encouraged and inspired when attending the conference as a sophomore.

“I remember being a sophomore and watching the older lab students present their work at NEURON,” said Syme. “I was so impressed by their hard work and dedication, especially after seeing all the hours they put into their research. I never thought that I would eventually be in that position, so it means a lot to me to have this opportunity.”

Earning his honor, Syme reflects on the rewarding process that led her to this success.

“The most rewarding part has been seeing my project brought to life This is something that I had been working on putting together and designing since before winter break, so seeing it happen in real time and my hard work paying off was extremely rewarding,” she said. I have also really enjoyed being able to work so closely with my mentor, Dr. Betz, as well as the other students in the lab. I have learned so much from everyone, both about myself as a scientist and research in general.”

Syme’s mentor praised her initiative and dedication to her research, leading to her exceptional work.

“What stands out most about Nikki is her combination of scientific curiosity and reliability," said Betz. “Her attention to detail, willingness to problem-solve, and steady commitment to the research make her an invaluable student collaborator. She’s not just completing tasks — she’s actively thinking through each step and learning how to adapt protocols to novel applications.”

In turn, Syme expressed her gratitude for Betz’s mentorship and encouragement.

“I’m so grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Betz throughout my time at Quinnipiac. She has been a phenomenal mentor and is truly one of the smartest people I know,” said Syme. “She is also way too humble and won’t tell you that she is essentially single-handedly balancing running the lab, helping her students and organizing the NEURON Conference all at the same time. She is such an impressive individual and I am so beyond grateful to learn from her.”

Before coming to Quinnipiac, research was not on Syme’s radar. Now with this passion and experience, Symes looks forward to a career that will allow her to make an impact on mental health treatment and research.  

“Nikki has grown tremendously, especially in her confidence and independence in the lab,” said Betz. “She started with enthusiasm and diligence and has developed into a student who can design and troubleshoot experiments, interpret data critically and handle unexpected outcomes with a scientific mindset. Her evolution from student to emerging scientist has been exciting to watch.”

As she prepares to present her findings this weekend, Syme emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and representation in science

“I think it’s important to use representative models when conducting research. Biological males have a 24-hour hormone cycle, while biological females have about a 28-day cycle,” said Syme. “This means that our bodies will likely interact differently with medications and treatments, potentially causing unexpected side effects – especially if the treatment was developed in males. From a broader scope, I just hope that my research is able to emphasize sex differences, either behaviorally or hormonally, and the importance of representation in research.”