Highlighting Achievements: Victoria Popov, Notable Pupil Examined

Victoria Popov, a second-year student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Rochester Medical Center, is making strides in her research focused on schizophrenia spectrum disorders. With a B.S. from RIT in biomedical sciences and an M.S. in professional studies with concentrations in biomedical sciences, psychology, and health systems administration, Popov is well-equipped to tackle complex neuroscientific questions.

Popov's research aims to understand the neurophysiological processes contributing to the decline in cognitive and social functions in individuals with neurocognitive disorders. The underlying neurophysiological processes and networks involved in this phenomenon are currently unexplored in her research.

Popov's unique perspective as a deaf individual has informed her work. Past psychological studies have shown that individuals who are Deaf view auditory hallucinations in their primary language modality. Popov believes that increasing representation of D/deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the STEM field is crucial for accurate societal representation at the bench level. She asserts that better representation at the bench will have a significant impact on science.

To ensure Popov has the necessary support services, the University of Rochester was quick to assemble several departments and individuals. Popov requires an in-person captionist to receive equal access in classrooms, during talks, and in various aspects of research.

In addition to her lab work, Popov is also working outside of the lab to develop programs that increase diversity and inclusion, particularly for those who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, in STEM-related fields. She was a Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate scholar while at RIT, an NIH-funded program aimed at increasing the number of D/deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who pursue a Ph.D. Popov is currently part of the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Popov's long-term goal is to examine the effects of deafness on cognitive and social functioning in individuals with and without schizophrenia spectrum disorders at the neurophysiological levels. She recently became a member of the Del Monte Institute Neuroscience Diversity Commission, furthering her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in neuroscience research.

Popov's work in the lab is conducted under the guidance of John Foxe, Ph.D., and Edward Freedman, Ph.D. The search results do not provide information identifying a current member of the Del Monte Institute Neuroscience Diversity Commission who studied at the University of Rochester as part of the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program. Nonetheless, Popov's contributions to the field of neuroscience and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion are making a significant impact at the University of Rochester.