Bethan Burnside

a photo that was taken as part of the LGBTQ+ Portraits initiative (https://www.greenwichsu.co.uk/lgbtqportraits/) at the University of Greenwich, where I worked as a Research Assistant last year

photo from the NeuroArt competition and exhibition which I ideated, organized, and curated last year with the vision of sharing and exploring neuroscientific advancement, beauty, and ideas with the lay public

photo from the NeuroArt competition and exhibition which I ideated, organized, and curated last year with the vision of sharing and exploring neuroscientific advancement, beauty, and ideas with the lay public

“I'm currently working on an MSc research project which explores the developmental trajectory of synapses belonging to interneurons, a specific kind of cell in the brain possessing atypical qualities in neurodevelopmental divergences such as autism and schizophrenia. Having come from an undergraduate background in Psychology, the switch to something more biology-based has inevitably been a steep learning curve, but I'm thrilled to be part of an amazing team of scientists and getting to do what I'm really passionate about. In addition to research, I'm fascinated by the fusion of the science and art world, which lead me to ideating, organizing, and curating a NeuroArt competition and exhibition last year.

While I'd been diagnosed with depression shortly after finishing high school, I didn't find out about my Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) concerning concentration and attention until starting grad school. Since being assessed, I've been able to find closure on elements of learning I'd been struggling with for some time, freeing me to focus on my STEM strengths: my outside-the-box thinking, my proactive attitude, and my resilient nature.“