Neuroscience Alumni Spotlights

Click on each graduate’s name below to view their full profile and learn more about how Carthage prepared them for their career.

Emily Benitez
Class Year: ’21
Majors: Neuroscience
Current Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Job:
Graduate student, Doctor of Physical Therapy
“Tackle the challenging courses with confidence! Everything works out in the end, and your hard work will be very worth it.”

Indi Conover
Class Year: ’19
Majors: Neuroscience
Current Hometown: Oakdale, Minnesota
Job:
Neuroscience Researcher II at University of Minnesota’s Hayden and Zimmermann Laboratories
“At Carthage, I took biology, chemistry, and neuroscience labs — all of which have prepared me for my career by teaching me techniques that I still use today.”

Jack DeSalvo
Class Year: ’23
Majors: Neuroscience
Current Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Job:
Research Technologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin
“The skills I gained at Carthage have allowed me to excel at everything from data entry and statistics to poster design and oral presentations.”

Melissa Idzik
Class Year: ’17
Majors: Neuroscience, Psychological Science
Current Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Job:
Medical Student at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
“My relationships with my professors helped me succeed because I received encouragement and constructive feedback, and always felt comfortable to ask for advice and opinions regarding my chosen path and goals. Through these relationships, I was also able to find job opportunities and I have enjoyed keeping in touch with such bright and kind role models.”

Allison Johnson
Class Year: ’12
Majors: Neuroscience
Current Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Job:
Pastor at Journey in Faith Church
“Carthage shaped me to be a curious, thoughtful, and open-minded individual. My experience taught me not only to believe in myself, but also to approach the world with humility, knowing that everyone and everything has something to teach me.”

Faelan O’Shaughnessy
Class Year: ’21
Majors: Neuroscience
Current Hometown: Crystal Lake, Illinois
Job:
Graduate student, occupational therapy
“I was able to academically thrive and push myself to get accepted and attend my top choice grad school because of what I was able to accomplish while at Carthage.”

Elizabeth Wenzel
Class Year: ’18
Majors: Neuroscience, Psychological Science
Current Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Job:
Graduate Student at University of Illinois-Chicago Behavioral Neuroscience Doctoral Program
“Carthage is a place where you can tell that the faculty members really care about their students and about preparing their students for what comes after Carthage.”

Lauren Emilee Wild
Class Year: ’25
Majors: Religion, Neuroscience
Current Hometown: Niles, Illinois
Job:
Paraprofessional at Lincoln Junior High in Skokie, Illinois
“Carthage shaped me into who I am today in my professional career by giving me the ability to ask questions and work efficiently.”