Siima Kiriziya Machayo ‘26, BS Behavioral Neuroscience | Atlanta and Northern Virginia 

What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research? 

My inspiration for pursuing behavioral neuroscience is rooted in my fascination with how the brain influences every aspect of people’s lives and how this knowledge can be applied to improve human health.  

My middle name, my grandmother’s maiden name, is a meaningful way to honor her and carry a piece of her legacy with me. She profoundly shaped my passion for neuroscience and, through her life experiences, inspired my interest in understanding the universal impact of brain health and its effects on individuals worldwide. Our shared name, which translates to “universal,” drives my desire to explore the global impact of brain health. I seek to continue expanding my knowledge to work at the intersection of neuroscience and entrepreneurship to further healthcare by developing advances that drive equity. While interventions remain inequitable, my grandmother’s story inspires me to advance equity and be a force for the common good.  

Exploring my neuroscience research interests led me to become a Research Assistant at Dr. Shansky’s Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Behavior. As an aspiring doctor, I hope to diagnose and treat neurological disorders and conditions while providing the best care to my patients. By studying behavioral neuroscience, I can contribute to developing innovative solutions that could improve lives and help address some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. 

What does winning a Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship mean to you? 

Receiving the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship represents a significant and pivotal step in my educational and entrepreneurial journey. This scholarship provides both financial support and reaffirms my commitment to combining science with innovative solutions. It recognizes my passion for collaborating and encouraging my peers to think creatively and apply their scientific knowledge in meaningful ways to innovate and work to solve critical global issues. The Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship is a key step in transforming my ideas into real-world applications that can have a lasting impact and advance innovation in science. 

What do you plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship for? 

I plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance entrepreneurial initiatives. I will organize interdisciplinary hackathons and monthly challenges that allow students to combine their expertise to solve real-world problems, fostering a diverse approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. This is especially beneficial for students with combined majors, as they bring a diverse set of skills and perspectives that can contribute to innovative solutions and successful ventures.  

Interdisciplinary College of Science hackathons would allow students to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life in a vibrant community environment. Monthly challenges would enable students to engage in a friendly environment with one another and reach goals to drive impact.  

By fostering entrepreneurship within the College of Science, I aim to empower students to think creatively and create solutions that can shape our future. This scholarship will allow me to implement these ideas, collaborate with like-minded peers, and contribute to a culture where scientific innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thrive. 

How has implementing entrepreneurship impacted your view on science and/or your current research/study area? 

Entrepreneurship has transformed how I view science by deepening my understanding of how pivoting can drive change, reinforcing my commitment to scientific and medical advancement. This led me to apply for Project-Based Exploration for the Advancement of Knowledge (PEAK) awards. I was awarded two PEAK awards for my project on Tracking Capacitance in Pavlovian Fear Conditioning to Measure Shock Delivery Precision. The project, with the support of the Shansky Lab, explores using an Arduino to track changes in the capacitance of the grid floor, which could vary based on how much of the animal’s body is in contact with it. By measuring these changes, I aim to understand further how the rat’s position influences shock delivery, helping refine our understanding of associative learning and the impact of shock precision in behavioral experiments. 

Where do you see your entrepreneurship ideas going in the next few years?  

In the next few years, I envision my entrepreneurial ideas growing through the promotion of cross-disciplinary collaboration within the College of Science. My vision is to inspire students from different disciplines to come together to resolve key global issues like access to healthcare and sustainability. By organizing interdisciplinary hackathons and monthly challenges, I aim to create opportunities for students to combine their skills and perspectives to develop innovative solutions. These events will foster an entrepreneurial and collaborative atmosphere, offering students an opportunity to see their ideas take shape in a nurturing, community-driven environment. I envision these initiatives as strides toward creating impactful change and driving the importance of entrepreneurship across the College of Science. 

What advice would you give science students interested in entrepreneurship?  

My advice for science students interested in entrepreneurship is to immerse themselves fully in the experience. The more effort you invest, the greater the rewards you’ll reap. Embrace every challenge and opportunity; surround yourself with passionate, supportive individuals who can guide you throughout the journey. The process can be exhilarating, but remembering to prioritize self-care is vital. Stay open-minded and proactive; your scientific background provides invaluable skills that can enhance your entrepreneurial journey.  

Cultivate your curiosity—ask questions, explore new ideas, trust yourself, and seek out learning opportunities. Most importantly, remain present and engaged. 

What is something that you are most proud of?  

An accomplishment I am most proud of is that this past summer, I interned at the White House in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, contributing to research projects that assessed the impact of science and technology on underrepresented communities. I played a vital role in supporting the President’s Council of Science and Technology (PCAST). Specifically, I supported the following reports: A Vision for Advancing Nutrition Science in the United States, Expanding STEM Talent in the Federal Workforce, and Improving Groundwater Security in the United States. This experience deepened my understanding of how effective policy can drive innovation and belonging while deepening my commitment to promoting equity in science.  

Also, this semester, my co-host and I received a COS Equity Action Fund Grant to implement our podcast, In the Know, designed as a resource for first-year students exploring diverse scientific fields and topics.