Niki Moya
@niki_neuro
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Behavioral Neuro 🐭🧠 PhD Candidate @NUFeinbergMed | @CUDenver alum | First-gen 👩🏽⚕️ | NIMH F31 Fellow | Interested in sci-comm & all things dopamine
Chicago, IL
Joined October 2018
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Pinned Tweet
Woke up to a very exciting email - I received an official Notice of Award for my F31 NRSA application from the NIMH! This app was so difficult and I am so proud of this accomplishment. Excited to continue my thesis project and develop many new skills through this fellowship. Woo!
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I know several grad students who got a cat in grad school and it has significantly improved all of their lives (I am among these students)… so this is your sign to get a cat 🤷🏻♀️😸
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Important non-science life update: my partner proposed on our hiking trip to Colorado and we are now engaged! Cant wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend 🥰💍🏔️
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I am so honored to announce that I have officially accepted an offer to attend
@NorthwesternU
to pursue my PhD in neuroscience. I am so incredibly excited for this next step in my life and career! Thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way!
#PhDBound
#Neuroscience
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Just another tweet to attempt to normalize failure, but I unfortunately did not receive the HHMI Gilliam fellowship this year. But thats okay! My science and diversity efforts are still important and I will try again next year :)
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It’s official y’all.. I am now a published (first!) author 😭😭
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Finally got reviewer comments back on my first, first-author publication submission. And they are.. not terrible?!?! Maybe they’re being nice because of Covid but I am THRILLED!!! IM GOING TO HAVE A FIRST AUTHOR PUBLICATION YALL 😭😭
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Woah! My first, first-author paper from grad school, and a paper I’m an author on from my undergrad work were both submitted today. It’s my lucky day! 🥳
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The student I mentored for
@cientificolatin
has gotten two PhD interviews so far (with more to come, I'm sure) and I am just so proud and happy for her 🥺🥺
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You aren’t officially a grad student until you use Kim wipes to dry your tears.
I don’t make the rules ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I just follow them
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Grad school is hard but when looking at it through a positive perspective, I know that 16-year-old Niki would be SHOOK if I told her that 26-year-old Niki would have her own place in the city with a cat and an amazing SO (that I met here!!) and GREAT friends. I am living my dream
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Was feeling sad tonight, questioning why I decided to do grad school (in a pandemic) but then my dad told me that he’s so proud of me, and that I’m doing something no one in my family has done before, and that he would’ve never done himself.
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Just submitted my first co-application with the help of my advisor for an HHMI fellowship.. as a second year student.. during a pandemic.. (which unfortunately took my grandpa’s life less than a week ago).. Sorry but damn am I proud of myself 🥲🥲
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I am so excited to have found my lab home!! I will be completing my PhD with the amazing
@jones_g_parker
. I am honored to be joining this lab and cannot wait to see what the future holds! Thanks Jones! 😁🎉
Very excited to share that
@NeuroNicolette
will be joining our lab!! So brave to be the *first* graduate student 😅. I can't wait to start working together this summer 🔬🐭🎉.
@NuinComm
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I got to see Maggie Nichols compete live. Such an amazing experience! One fun fact about me - I love gymnastics and was a competitive gymnast until I was 18 😁
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Not everyone in grad school has the same resources and support as others. We’ve all worked hard to get here, we’re all out here doing our best. But it IS harder for some people. And to downplay their experiences and complaints is NOT it. Toxic positivity is definitely a thing.
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Real question - is it weird when people ask to take a picture of your poster? What should you say? I have never had this experience until yesterday.. and it kind of threw me off guard. Thoughts?!?
#PhDChat
#AcademicChatter
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Excited to share my first paper from grad school, which is officially online today! So surreal to see it in its full form. I have genuinely enjoyed working on this project with the help of
@jones_g_parker
, among many others! WOO! 🧠🐭🥳
Our first paper (wholly from our lab) from our first graduate student (
@niki_neuro
) is officially out today in
@npp_journal
! She investigated the contribution of striatal dopamine excess to working memory and social interaction deficits.
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Guys I had 3 presentations this week. 3!!!! And I got through it!!! So I rewarded myself with a chai latte that was $6 at starbs 🥴
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Today I completed my programs 4th year seminar talk requirement on my research, as a 3rd year. So that's pretty cool I think 😄
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Officially submitted my fellowship application!!! TIME TO MANIFEST 🙏🙏
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Me trying to socialize 😬
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My first, FIRST author paper has just been submitted!!! (From Dr. Ben Greenwood's lab, not on twitter; see website: )
This has been 3 years in the making and I am soooooo excited and happy!! But also very nervous!! AHH!!!
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My first test EVER in grad school is this week and I am super nervous for it.
Any advice on how to get through your first midterm in graduate school?
#PhDChat
#AcademicChatter
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Moved into my new apartment today. Im exhausted but it made me realize how much I love this city. I’m so happy I’m getting my PhD here in Chicago, in an amazing lab at a great school. As a first gen, I never pictured myself living this life, even a few years ago. I am truly lucky
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*ATTENTION PPL APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL*
With application time approaching, it can be stressful trying to fill out everything and write a personal statement! So, if anyone needs any help/advice/edits on statements/WHATEVER while applying, please reach out! I am happy to help 😁
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Couldn’t have done it without your continuous support! Thanks for being such a great mentor
@jones_g_parker
!
It’s true y’all - I passed my quals and am now a PhD Candidate! WOO
Some weeks are better than others, but the best are when your *first graduate student* passes their qualifying exam! Congratulations to the now *candidate*
@niki_neuro
!🍾🎉🐭🧠💉
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Just finished a complete rough draft for my first manuscript of grad school! Although I am very much an amateur at writing articles, I’ve worked very hard on this project and making figures for it/writing it up and it feels good to be getting closer to publication 🥹🥹
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Unpopular opinion: I really enjoy writing (whether that is grants/fellowships, personal statements, etc). I think it is a fun/creative outlet and feeling like my science writing is improving is very rewarding to me :)
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Hello, I am a
#firstgen
college and now graduate student getting my PhD in neuroscience ☺️ I got here with the help of my amazing mentors in undergrad and with my family’s endless support, even if they don’t know exactly what I’m doing 😜 (pics added for emotional significance😭)
Happy
#FirstGenDay
! Share if you are
#firstgen
, how you got here, or what you do! Let’s inspire others to persevere in pursuit of their goals
@1stGenScientist
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Finally got my tax return so that meant buying myself a nice bike that I can use to commute to lab. Treat yo’self 🤪
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Was just talking about this w/ a friend the other day. With the pandemic starting our first year we have been to literally 0 conferences as grad students. Barely any in-person seminars. I gave more presentations as an UG! Makes grad school much more isolating than I ever expected
This is true of students and staff too. Without casual in person work interactions I feel like I'm limping along, doing (worse) science in a bubble, completely divorced from my academic community
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Had a great time at
#CatecholaminesGRC
in Spain! Met so many great people and talented scientists. Next stop, Rome!!
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Stabbed myself with a PFA needle today during perfusions so.. I’d say grad school is going well so far 👍🏼🙃🙃
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Damn. SfN being cancelled just a month before the meeting is truly a shame. At least I live in Chicago, what about all the ppl that already booked flights + hotels?!? Refunds and reimbursements should be given to everyone.
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I think for the most part, I’ve been trying really hard not to compare myself to other ppl in my program/others getting PhDs that aren’t first gen, minority, etc. but lately it’s been really bothering me. I’m questioning if I am smart enough to be here. Any advice is welcome 🫠
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Checked my google scholar profile today and discovered I have 2 citations?!? People actually wanted to cite me?!? 🥺 That was a nice Friday surprise!
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Part of my thesis work is out on
@biorxiv_neursci
! We tested the effects of pathway-specific hyperdopaminerga on behaviors related to psychosis. Used a super novel/cool genetic tool developed in-part by my amazing PI,
@jones_g_parker
. Check it out y’all! 🥳🐭
Selective Nigrostriatal Dopamine Excess Impairs Behaviors Linked to the Cognitive and Negative Symptoms of Psychosis
#biorxiv_neursci
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Did some in-vivo calcium imaging with the miniscope today during working memory and it was so awesome! Can’t wait to see what these data will look like 🐭🔬
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Did surgeries yesterday for the first time since March, came home and immediately passed out. I forgot how exhausting all day surgeries are.. but so fun and I’m so happy to be doing them again☺️🐭
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Officially finished my first year of grad school. I feel.. dead but so alive at the same time?!? Anyway, I’m excited for what’s to come 😁
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I am truly heartbroken by this devastating news. Peter was one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. His mark on the NU neuroscience community will be everlasting. My condolences to his family, friends, the Pinto lab, and the rest of the NUIN community.
We are deeply saddened to share that Peter Salvino, a third-year doctoral student who went missing early Sunday morning and was found and identified Tuesday evening, has passed away.
Our most heartfelt condolences go out to Peter’s family and friends.
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Honestly, my first quarter of grad school was tough. I’m not good with change and didn’t do very well in classes. 2019 was a year filled with great new experiences, but also a lot of hardship for me. I’m really hoping 2020 brings me some clarity and happiness.
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Went to therapy for the first time this past weekend. I was nervous, and didn’t really know what to expect. I thought it might be hard for me to open up to a stranger. But, it ended up being amazing! I was comfortable talking about my struggles and felt much better afterward.
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It was 80 degrees in Chicago today and I got my 2nd dose of Pfizer so I’d say today was a good day 🥰
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This year I was the first in my family to graduate college, then moved to Chicago (without knowing a single person) and started a PhD program in Neuroscience at Northwestern. I’m damn proud of how far I’ve come.
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Hey everyone today I implanted cannula for my own optogenetic experiment!! Then I almost died during a spin class but damn did it make me feel good 😅
We love a good day of science and exercise 👏🏽
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Peter is a graduate student in NUIN and is loved by so many in our community. This is a serious situation. Please share and if anyone has any information, please reach out
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If I didn’t get paid as a TA and then a MARC scholar as an undergrad, I simply would not have been able to participate in research. Most undergrads do not have the ability to volunteer 20+ hours a week to research. This is ridiculous. Pay research assistants.
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Applying to a fellowship seemed impossible 3 months ago but I’ve got to say, my application materials are coming along (nicely?) and I’m quite proud of myself
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Today in lab I got to see neurons firing in REAL TIME using a miniscope in an awake, behaving mouse.
Pretty cool if you ask me 😎
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He told me I’m strong and will finish this PhD. And I really needed to hear that.
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Leaving my first
#BasalGangliaGRC
and I have to say it was amazing. Learned so much and met so many new people, all with exciting ideas and developments in the field. I felt included and heard as a trainee and that was just fantastic. Thank you to everyone who made it great!
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To distract from the election stress - the final version of my article is out! Check it out here:
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With classes starting, today was my *official* first day of grad school. Went over about the entire semester of genetics I took as an undergrad in one hour.. guess I’m officially a scared and confused grad student
#help
lmao
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I’ve noticed that since I started grad school, in times of higher stress (midterms, finals, end-of-quarter assignments) I feel more homesick.
I’m wondering - what are some things that other ppl who left home for grad school do when they’re feeling homesick?
#PhDChat
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Took an exam today. Usually after exams my friends and I would go get drinks/sushi/whatever. Really missing the chi town and my neuro friends tonight 😞
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Guess what y’all ITS MY BIRTHDAY just thought everyone should know thx
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Doing my first mouse surgery tomorrow.. should be quite interesting. I’m super excited !
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Snagged the best swag from
#sfn2024
today - the famous ThorLabs shirt and these incredible slide earrings (with midbrain and striatum slices 🥹🧠) made by the very talented
@christineliuart
!! I call that a success 👏
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I suck at reading scientific papers. So my new goal is to read 1 paper a day (every weekday.. so 5 days total. Gotta save my weekends 😬). So far so good.. but today is day 1. We'll see how this goes.
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Love seeing all the PhD acceptance tweets lately, it makes my heart so full 🥺🥺
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So excited to be selected as a
@cientificolatin
mentor! Can’t wait to help diverse GSMI scholars reach their academic goals 😌😌
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Anyone have any thoughts/opinions/advice on long distance relationships due to starting grad school? I think it’s a topic that is relevant to many people but no one really discusses it
#phdchat
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No one ever talks about how stressful it is to find a place to live in a big city before you start your PhD 😭
#Help
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I grew up with dogs, thought I was a dog person, then I got a cat. I’m a cat person.
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I’m starting a new tradition - treat yo’self Tuesday. Every Tuesday I will be treating myself because I deserve it damnit. Tonight, it’ll be wine and a chocolate chip cookie 😌
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I feel discouraged because classes are hard and we don’t have the same resources as we normally would (I think my program is doing a good job of trying to provide us additional resources, it still isn’t the same) and I’m lacking motivation like NEVER before.
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I second this! If anyone needs and extra set of eyes for their grad school materials, I’d be more than happy to help. Just DM me!
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Since I’m a sentimental gal, I want to acknowledge that I moved to Chicago 5 years ago today. I can’t believe it’s been half a decade! Very proud of myself for how far I’ve come (both in grad school and life in general).. not much more of this PhD journey to go! 🥲🥳
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And I am so so proud of everyone that did receive the fellowship! Congrats to you all and I cannot wait to see where your science and diversity/inclusion efforts take you 😌😌
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I’m sorry but I don’t understand why first year med students that went to NYE parties and have classes all online get to be vaccinated before people like mom who are home health aids and work with elders aged 85+ 🤷🏻♀️
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Any other first gens find it so frustrating when your parents disregard your feelings of self doubt, burnout, etc. because you have “such a great opportunity” to get a PhD? I love my parents but they can’t seem to understand that what I’m doing is extremely difficult :/
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I went from never wanting to be alone before the pandemic to loving being alone now, and sometimes I wonder if that’s a bad thing but mostly I think it’s great. The pandemic took so much from me but atleast now I enjoy my own company 🙂🙂
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My grandma has my first interview invitation letter for grad school framed and hung up on her wall. Well it turned out that after the interview, this school rejected me. And it’s still hung on her wall. I just- 😅🤣
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Managed to get into lab through the riots this morning, but now there's a tornado warning preventing me from leaving. Yup, it's definitely a Monday 😑
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Does giving oral presentations on your research ever get less nerve-racking? Asking for me 😬
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My toxic trait is that whenever I get paid I think I can buy whatever I want
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Good luck to everyone submitting PhD apps today! I wish you all the best of luck 🤞🏼
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This summer is turning out to be super busy and exciting in lab. Great things are happening - I’m looking forward to what’s going come soon! ☺️☺️
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