Alisa Avduli

Global Challenge: Medicine

Alisa Avduli is a rising sophomore in Biomolecular Science, pursuing a minor in Psychology. She was born in Vlore, Albania, but grew up in Queens, NY. Her choice of major came from a desire to help grow understanding of chronic pain and related neurological disorders. Volunteering to perform in nursing homes during high school especially shaped this decision. In her free time, she loves playing music, drawing, and learning about how the arts can be utilized in therapeutic settings.

Alisa is currently an undergraduate researcher at the Bayer Lab, which focuses on the effects of internal sensation on behavior, using C. elegans and D. cerebrum as models. She is also a member of the Society for Undergraduate Neural Science and Project Crescendo. Prior to beginning at NYU Tandon, she completed an internship in environmental science at the Bronx River Alliance, which sparked her interest in scientific research and sustainability. Through these experiences, she has gained skills in data collection, data analysis, and scientific writing. She has worked as a Physical Therapist aide, where she saw the effects of chronic pain on mobility. Her short-term goal following graduation is to enroll in a Clinical Psychology PhD program, with a focus on neuropsychology. Long-term, she seeks to help those with neurological disorders understand their condition, and contribute to scientific understanding of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. During her undergraduate experience, she wants to develop both her understanding of biochemical solutions to neurological conditions and therapeutic tools for treatment.

Alisa became interested in the GLASS program because of her desire to merge current interests in medicine with her global background as an immigrant. She is very excited to study abroad in London next semester and see how a public healthcare system affects medical issues. Her UN Sustainable Development Goals are Good Health and Well-Being and Climate Action. Her interest in these issues are tied to a need to improve treatment of neurological disorders and chronic pain, as well as the sustainability of the medical industry. Seeing how these conditions have affected those near to her as well as those in the communities she has worked with, she seeks to contribute to developing adequate treatments. However, after working with environmental issues, she also hopes to ensure their sustainable development.