Meri Mneyan
New York,NY
Summary
Undergraduate student at Hunter College with 2 years of research experience planning to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience. Research interests are focused on understanding the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
Overview
3
3
Languages
1
1
Certification
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
BP-Endure Fellow
Hunter College, Department of Biology
New York , New York
09.2025 - Current
Research Topic: "Cognitive Effects of Acute and Chronic Demyelination in the Entorhinal Cortex and Hippocampus in Multiple Sclerosis Models"
- Investigated behavioral and molecular effects of multiple sclerosis in male mouse models using immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, electrophysiology, perfusion, and behavioral analysis techniques to advance understanding of disease mechanisms.
- Prepared tissue samples and conducted imaging to assist in data interpretation, contributing to insights on neuroinflammation's impact on brain function and behavior.
BioMed SURF Fellow, Marina Picciotto
Yale University, Department Psychology
New Haven, Connecticut
05.2026 - 07.2026
Research Topic: "Animal Model of Sex Differences in Stress-Related Cellular Function in Alcohol Use Disorder"
- Applied behavioral neuroscience techniques, including perfusions, immunoblotting, staining, and imaging, to advance research on stress-related alcohol use.
- Investigate the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on alcohol intake following stress-induced conditions in female mouse models.
- Maintained detailed experimental records and collaborated with lab members to effectively support ongoing behavioral and molecular neuroscience studies.
- Enhanced scientific literacy by conducting journal analysis, interpreting data, facilitating career development workshops, and providing research mentorship.
Summer Research Intern, Scott Brady
Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
06.2025 - 08.2025
Research topic: "Effects of Tau Conformation on Neuronal Function in Tauopathies"
- Investigated effects of truncated tau protein on axonal transport dynamics in relation to Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia using VEC-DIC microscopy.
- Examined fast axonal transport in squid axoplasm models to clarify contributions of neuronal transport impairments to neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
- Conducted microscope-assisted dissections, prepared experimental solutions, and analyzed results to advance understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying axonal transport dysfunction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
Hunter College
New York, NY05-2027
Skills
Computer Programs: MATLAB, Microsoft Excel, ImageJ, Microsoft Office, Olympus FV10-ASW/FluoView
Tissue Collection & Dissection: Mouse brain collection and sectioning, mouse brain dissection, squid nervous system dissection
Molecular & Histological Techniques: Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, chromatography
Behavioral & In Vivo Techniques: Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT), Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm, Light/Dark Box Test, intraperitoneal (IP) injections in mice, subcutaneous injections in mice
Accomplishments
- R25 NIH Blueprint Initiative for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research (ENDURE)
August 2025 - Current - Rosalyn Yalow Award for Academic Excellence — Hunter College
May 2023 – May 2026
Awarded in recognition of sustained academic excellence May 2023 – May 2026 - Mother’s Day Scholarship — Hunter College
December 2025
Awarded $2,500 in recognition of academic excellence - Dean’s List — Hunter College
May 2023 – May 2026
Awarded for academic excellence - Distinguished Researcher Award — Hunter College
May 2026
Awarded in recognition of achievement in scientific research
Presentations
1. Mneyan M., Maleeha N., Sclar M.G., Lifshits G., Melendez-Vasquez C., Likhtik E. (2026) Remyelination Rescues Object Recognition Memory After Acute Demyelination, Society for Neuroscience meeting, Washington, DC
2. Mneyan M., Angelica M.T., Garcia-Rivas V., Picciotto M. (2026) Effects of GLP-1 Agonist on Alcohol Drinking in Male and Female Mice Before and After Inescapable Stress, Hunter College Summer Research Symposium, New York, New York
3. Mneyan M., Angelica M.T., Garcia-Rivas V., Picciotto M. (2026) Effects of GLP-1 Agonist on Alcohol Drinking in Male and Female Mice Before and After Inescapable Stress, Yale BioMed SURF Closing Symposium, New Haven,Connecticut
4. Mneyan M., Maleeha N., Sclar M.G., Lifshits G., Melendez-Vasquez C., Likhtik E. (2026) Chronic Demyelination Impairs Object Recognition Memory in Male Mice, Hunter College 2026 Undergraduate Research Conference, New York, New York
5. Mneyan M., Maleeha N., Sclar M.G., Lifshits G., Melendez-Vasquez C., Likhtik E. (2026) Chronic Demyelination Impairs Object Recognition Memory in Male Mice, Yale Interaction Potential Conference, New Haven,Connecticut
6. Mneyan M., Hovasapyan E. , Weitermann N., Kanaan N., Brady S. (2026) Investigating the Impact of Tau C-terminal Truncations on Fast Axonal Transport in Doryteuthis pealeii, NEURON Conference, Hamden, Connecticut
7. Mneyan M., Hovasapyan E. , Weitermann N., Kanaan N., Brady S. (2025) nvestigating the Impact of Tau C-terminal Truncations on Fast Axonal Transport in Doryteuthis pealeii, Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California
8. Mneyan M., Hovasapyan E. , Weitermann N., Kanaan N., Brady S. (2025) Investigating the Impact of Tau C-terminal Truncations on Fast Axonal Transport in Doryteuthis pealeii, American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Symposium, Online Oral Presentation
9. Mneyan M., Hovasapyan E. , Weitermann N., Kanaan N., Brady S. (2025) Investigating the Impact of Tau C-terminal Truncations on Fast Axonal Transport in Doryteuthis pealeii, Hunter College Summer Research Presentation, New York, New York
Affiliations
- Pre-Health Mentoring Initiative (PHMI) — Mentor
August 2024 - May 2025
Mentored two immigrant students pursuing second degrees in medicine and scientific research over four semesters, offering academic guidance, encouragement, and support as they navigated their educational and career paths. - Yalow Honors Scholar — Peer Mentor
August 2024 - May 2027
Mentored four incoming freshmen as they adjusted to a new college environment, helping them navigate course selection, build their schedules, and identify research and academic opportunities
Outreach
- Northwell Health — Volunteer
September 2024 – April 2025
Volunteered in the Emergency Department, assisting patients and supporting staff in providing care to individuals with acute medical needs. - Weill Cornell BASE Camp — Volunteer
October 2024
Supported an interdisciplinary training experience designed to strengthen collaboration among pediatric emergency medicine fellows, nurses, and child life specialists.
Certification
- Certificate of Achievement — Yale School of Medicine
May-July 2026
Recognized for active participation in biomedical research through the Yale BioMed SURF Program.
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Armenian
Native/ Bilingual
Russian
Limited
Timeline
BioMed SURF Fellow, Marina Picciotto
Yale University, Department Psychology
05.2026 - 07.2026
BP-Endure Fellow
Hunter College, Department of Biology
09.2025 - Current
Summer Research Intern, Scott Brady
Marine Biological Laboratory
06.2025 - 08.2025
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
Hunter College