Neuroscience Scholar Wins College’s Highest Honor

Gila Winefeld BA ’23 is the winner of this year’s Rena J. Ratte Award, the undergraduate college’s highest academic honor. The award recognizes excellence in scholastic, intellectual, and creative achievements, and is presented during the undergraduate Honors Convocation ceremony preceding commencement in May.

What parts of the L&C experience helped shape your path?

Taking organic chemistry as a first-year student convinced me that I wanted to major in biochemistry and molecular biology. I also loved my first-year seminar course with Rob Kugler, Paul S. Wright Professor of Christian Studies. It exposed me to what a college humanities class looked like and made me want to take more history and religious studies classes, both of which I later did. Outside the classroom, I became interested and involved in mental health advocacy. For example, I co-organized a mental health storytelling event on campus through a club called Active Minds. This was a really gratifying experience and is the kind of work I want to continue dedicating myself to.

Who were your faculty mentors?

My experience at L&C wouldn’t have been what it was without Associate Professor of Biology Tamily Weissman-Unni, my research mentor and advisor for my senior honors thesis. Assistant Professor of Biology Sharon Torigoe has also been really instrumental to my growth and is a brilliant instructor.

What do you think makes L&C special?

The ways in which we’re encouraged to become well-rounded people and to learn broadly is really special. Academic interests outside of one’s major and extracurricular activities are seen not as distractions but as meaningful pursuits that make you a more interesting, productive, and happy person. For example, even though I wasn’t a dance minor, during my senior spring semester I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to a college dance conference in Utah to present my choreography. Both Susan Davis, program head of dance, and my other professors encouraged me with this.

What are your future plans?

After attending the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Postbaccalaureate Research Training Award program in Maryland, I’ll be applying to medical schools in the coming year.