How Undergraduates Make Decisions on Their Future?

Sometimes it is a professor who teaches them. Maria Azanova, junior at the Joint HSE-NES Program in Economics speaks on why she chose to apply to  PhD programs in cognitive neuroscience and psychology

In fall 2014, I took Introduction to Psychology and, in spring 2015, I had a class on Neuropsychology. Both courses were taught by Sharon Lee Hannigan (New Economic School). She was simultaneously very serious and passionate about her subject. Undoubtedly, this affects atmosphere in class during lectures and makes every student be really curious about new material. I had a wonderful opportunity to attend her lectures during three semesters and every time she managed to keep everyone in class involved, which is very important to her. Sharon always appreciates and supports her students’ initiative and interest and she encourages questions and unusual perspectives. During lectures, she covers considerable amount of material and she always makes sure everyone keeps up with the class.

When I expressed my interest in Neuroscience and, in particular, in Neuroeconomics Sharon gave me great help in entering HSE’s Neuroeconomics group and approved me to be a teaching assistant in her Intro to Psychology class.

I successfully participated in the HSE’s contest for masters in Cognitive sciences and became a prizewinner, still being a third year student majoring in economics.  

 I’m infinitely grateful to her for two things Sharon has done as a professional. First, there’s no doubt that Sharon’s passion about her subject and her deep insights into contemporary research as well as tricky philosophical questions that she posed during lectures have inspired me and made me curious about behavioral and cognitive sciences. Second, she was incredibly supportive when I revealed my intentions to go into Neuroeconomics’ research, and she was the first person to make me believe it’s possible. I successfully participated in the HSE’s contest for masters in Cognitive sciences and became a prizewinner, still being a third year student majoring in economics. I also took part in developing and conducting experiments that include brain stimulation. Today I’m going to go on with my studies and apply to PhD programs in cognitive neuroscience and psychology to enter the field of neurobiological studies of decision making. That is to say Sharon Hannigan played a great role in my professional development.

I’m happy I entered the Joint HSE-NES Program in Economics and met a lot of outstanding and inspiring people like Sharon, who had also become one of the most important and influential mentors to me.