Psychology Graduate Attends Prestigious Institute

Veronica Ramenzoni, a PhD student in psychology, was one of only 60 people selected to attend the Santa Fe Institute’s Complex Systems Summer School. The four-week session covered complex behavioral, mathematical, physical, living, and social systems and brought leading theorists from around the world to demonstrate the importance of integrating mathematics into biological studies.

The Santa Fe Institute offers the summer school free of tuition for the limited number of students who are accepted into the program. It is supported by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Chinese Academy of Science. In addition to the guided learning students receive in complex- systems research, they also create and execute team projects, which are designed to further their understanding of topics covered in sessions.

Ramenzoni, originally from Buenos Aires, approaches her studies with tremendous curiosity: “Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in the human mind and the way it works. This fascination has intensified as a result of having the opportunity to actively engage in scholarship and research in different scientific disciplines.”

Having completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at La Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ramenzoni began teaching and joined research teams in philosophy and neurobiology. Her interest in studying systems to interpret cognitive science grew, and with the encouragement of an advisor, she determined to seek training abroad.

This decision brought her to McMicken, where she currently works in the Perceptual-Motor Dynamics Laboratory. She talks eagerly about the experiential learning opportunities: “My past two years at UC have been very exciting. I value most the experience of having a dynamic work relationship with my advisor, Mike Riley, as well as with my peers.”

She plans to continue her exploration. “My passion for academia has grown stronger,” she notes. “My current objectives are to share and discuss the results of my work with the scientific community and to transmit my knowledge and interests through teaching and training.”

Though she has come a long way from home, Ramenzoni plans to take her education and experience back to Argentina one day. She says, “As a researcher and a teacher coming from a developing country, my long- term goal is to apply my training and knowledge to the development of research and education programs in my own country.”

Story by Holly Holmes, A&S Journalism Intern