We are delighted to announce our 2021-2022 Merlin Student Scholar Fellow, Julianna Breit. Julianna is our first undergraduate fellow. A junior at Carroll College, Julianna is double-majoring in Biochemistry and Philosophy with minors in Ethics and Value Studies, Neuroscience, and Chemistry.
Julianna enjoys good conversation (with anyone about anything!), trying new foods, and wandering the globe. She has visited Poland, Italy, Israel, Yugoslavia, Mexico, and — in her freshman year —studied Global Health in Uganda.
Valuing inquisition, creativity, integration, restoration, and understanding, Julianna strives to unite philosophy and neuroscience. She is interested in pursuing a holistic perspective of body and mind that will help to inform her understanding of the human experience and her work in the field.
Her current research interests include Phenomenology of Emotion, Trauma, and Empathy. Recently, Julianna participated in the prestigious Exeter Summer College Programme at the University of Oxford, where she studied the Neuroscience of Stress and Trauma under Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai (MD, PhD, M.S.). With Merlin, she will be continuing her research on the neuroscientific and philosophical implications of sadness and grief. Her fellowship will involve a combination of research, writing, and philosophy in the community activities.
“Human experience is astounding. With its variety, depth, intensity, and fluidity, human experience inspires me to unveil its mysterious and clever progression, which shapes, colors, and saturates individual lives. My long-term academic goal is to understand the comprehensive influence of trauma on individual experience and community relationships, with particular attention to the impact, longevity, and purpose of emotions. In addition to helping me philosophically assess my personal actions and interactions, I hope this endeavor to understand will also inform clinical relationships, including settings and approaches for therapy and social work.” — Julianna
You may recognize Julianna’s smiling face from one of her current and past community endeavors, including volunteering with St. Peter’s Health, the Friendship Center, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, FoodShare, and NODA.
To learn more about Julianna and some of the projects she will be working on in 2021-2022, visit our Merlin Fellowships page!