Having grown up with a passion for science, when Jade took her first undergraduate psychology paper and discovered neuroscience, something clicked.

“I have always enjoyed biology—specifically genetics and physiology, but I find psychology and the study of disorders and the brain extremely interesting. Victoria University of Wellington was one of the few universities that offered neuroscience as a Master’s degree which combines all of the things I love—the impact of genetics, the physiological effects on the brain, and associated disorders.”

Jade’s research investigates the relationship between genetics and nicotine dependence, and how people’s environment can impact their level of dependence. She has found the support of her supervisor invaluable for providing guidance and advice, while allowing her to develop her own ideas.

“I’m learning so much through this research and it is all so interesting to me—I love what I do. I think my research question is very interesting and relevant. Knowing that this field of study can provide information to help people who suffer from drug-related disorders is amazing.”

Jade has been extremely impressed with the quality of the programme and has learnt many things she wasn’t expecting—she’s also been given plenty of practical experience.

“The range of detailed information we are exposed to and real-world skills that I have learnt from this programme will be something that I take with me in my future and career.

“My main interest currently is in drug research but there are so many other avenues that are available within neuroscience that in a few years I could be doing something completely different that has never crossed my mind.”

Zoë knew early on in her undergraduate studies that neuropsychology was the area for her—so much so that she started planning ahead for postgraduate study in the second year of her BSc.

“I found myself really drawn to the cognitive and neuroscience aspects of psychology, and my experiences as a research assistant and volunteer as an undergraduate made me certain I wanted to be even more involved in the research process.”

Taking a Master’s that combines coursework and a thesis allowed Zoë to take a variety of courses before deciding what to focus on for her major piece of research.

“I’ve taken courses in subjects that range from neurogenetics, to consciousness, to mental health. I’m now working on a Master’s thesis that researches people with developmental prosopagnosia—the lifelong inability to recognise faces. I’m using a range of psychophysical and statistical techniques to see how the ability to recognise faces interacts with the ability to extract and understand information conveyed by the eyes of other people. We do this all the time and it’s so vital to our development, even though we don’t realise it—people who can’t extract information from the eyes of others could also have problems learning, communicating, and understanding the emotions and intentions of others.”

Zoë has worked with her supervisor for a number of years, first as an undergraduate volunteer, and later as an Honours student and summer scholar. She says that building a relationship that provides her with guidance, support, and creates a fun environment has helped to improve both her research and her confidence as a researcher.

“I know that I’ve grown as a researcher so much in that time. At first, I knew almost nothing about the research process or how people come up with new questions to look at, now I feel comfortable overseeing my own projects.

“Being able to use the techniques that first got me interested in Psychology as an undergraduate was really exciting—and knowing how to use that equipment is a valuable skill that I’ll always have. My research is exciting—I know that it will help to further understand a condition we currently know little about—and hopefully, this will help bring relief to people with developmental prosopagnosia.”