Sarah Strand
During my freshman year at St. Olaf, I was introduced to the concept that psychology and science could be combined into a fairly new discipline know as neuroscience. Neuroscience is the study of how the brain affects the physiology of the body, behavior, and cognition. I enjoy working out, reading/learning, hanging out with friends, gardening, working with children, and dissecting brains. I enjoy outdoor activities such as golfing, fishing, biking, and boating. I have a great family! I also love my dog, a Maltiese, named Maddie. I am currently working for the Twin and Family Studies at the University of MN, as a psychophysiologist, and that I hope that graduate school isn't t0o far off in the future.
Sarah graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience.
Research Interests
Storytelling
While attending St. Olaf I have been fortunate to be involved in a couple of research teams working under Prof. Howard Thorsheim. First, I have done research on the effects of narrative storytelling on the physiology of the body, specicifically heart rate, electrodermal activity, and blood pressure.
NSF Grant and Aromas
During the summer of 2001 I worked with Mike Mensink and Mike Hill on a National Science Foundation grant for Investigative Psychophysiology Laboratory Experiences in College and High School. We investigated and rewrote laboratory experiments for the introductory classes at St. Olaf. We are also making connections with High Schools to help increase awareness of psychophysiology. I have helped build a lab with 10 Biopac work stations and to see the work stations being used by high school students. It has been a very exciting time for me. Individual research has also been on going during the summer. I have been researching the affects of aroma on the body.
Neuroscience
The medical community is putting more and more importance into understanding the relationship between the body and the brain and how it affects out health. It was energizing for me to find that my interest in psychology and my aptitude in science could merge into study and career possibilities. Specifically, I have become interested in how brain trauma or degenerative diseases can affect behavior. Similarly, neuroscience studies how behavior can affect the physiology of the body or the brain. For example, when an individual smells a flower there can be physical effects, EEG, GSR, and heart rate could increase or decrease. The profession that works in this area is neuropsychology. Neuropsychologists can provide an objective basis for treatment while factoring in the neurological disorder and the psychological implications. Using both behavior and medicine the possibilities for a more positive prognosis is available to the patient. I believe that working with the biology and the psychology of a disabled person is the key to a positive recovery
