Monica Poudel '24
Her passion for understanding the brain has shaped Monica Poudel ’24’s journey from Nepal to Illinois College.
Initially a psychology major, she discovered her love for neuroscience through a seminar with Jeremy Turner ’95. This sparked her interest in neuron firing patterns and visual processing, which she explored in independent research with professor Alex Moore.
Poudel also gained hands-on experience through an internship at a local lab, where she worked on auditory research using preclinical models. Reflecting on her time at IC, Poudel says, “The professors were really helpful. I loved how I could communicate with them whenever I needed to—they were very approachable.”
As an international student, Poudel faced challenges but found support in IC’s small, personalized setting. Her leadership role as a resident assistant further strengthened her skills. Now, as she prepares to attend graduate school at Southern Illinois University, Poudel feels confident in her future.
Her advice to other international students? “Do a lot of research and reach out to current international students—they would love to help.”