For Ramsha Gul ’25, Bryant has given her the opportunity to grow not only as a student but as a problem-solver and researcher.
“Through the Biology program, especially my time working in Dr. Scaplen’s lab, I learned how to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and navigate the complexity of behavioral science and neuroscience research,” says the Biology major who, post-graduation, will work as a medical assistant for a dermatology office while taking her MCAT and applying to medical school.
Gul adds that the support from faculty has shaped her into someone who’s not afraid to take initiative or push boundaries.
“Whether I was troubleshooting experiments, presenting data, or collaborating with peers, I was learning skills that would directly translate to the next chapter of my academic and professional journey. Bryant has taught me how to adapt, how to communicate across disciplines, and how to lead with purpose,” Gul says.
Research focused
Gul began working in the lab under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Psychology Kristin Scaplen, Ph.D., in May of 2022. From learning how to tell male and female flies apart to collaborating with other Bryant undergrads and coding data, Gul’s time in the research lab has provided her with hands-on learning that is readying her for a career within the science and healthcare fields; it’s an opportunity that not everyone has the luxury of having, she says.
“Talking to my friends from other colleges, they tell me how hard it is for them to get research opportunities,” says Gul. “Working in Dr. Scaplen’s lab has given me the ability to make my resume more competitive while also getting a head start in the world of research before medical school.”
A participant in the Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (RI-INBRE) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, Gul used last summer to start conducting research for her Honors Program thesis, which she presented this past April. The Bryant senior used fruit flies to determine if alcohol addiction causes depression or depression causes alcohol addiction. As a second layer to her experiment, she studied serotonin’s role within regulating voluntary alcohol consumption in fruit flies.
Gul, the recipient of this year's Research Scholar in Biological and Biomedical Sciences Commencement Award, noted that, in future studies, Bryant undergrads researchers will look at serotonin transporter rescue experiments in the mushroom body (a.k.a., the learning and memory center) to identify neural circuits that regulate the development of ethanol preference. Additionally, students will investigate the impact of chronic stress on alcohol consumption as well as the role of serotonin in ameliorating the effects of chronic stress on drinking behavior.
Finding your way
Providing advice for incoming students, Gul emphasizes the importance of getting to know professors since they’re mentors who want to see students thrive.
“Believe that you belong here,” Gul says. “Whether your path leads to medicine, research, biotech, or something you haven’t even imagined yet, your time at Bryant will shape how you think, lead, and make a difference."
Say yes to research, to late-night study sessions, to interdisciplinary courses that challenge your thinking, notes Gul. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask questions, to make mistakes, or to take the scenic route through your education.
“Biology isn’t just a subject — it’s the story of life, and you get to be part of discovering it. You’re stepping into a field that constantly evolves, where questions matter more than quick answers, and where your curiosity is your greatest strength,” Gul says. “So lean into the hard moments. When the material feels overwhelming or the lab results don’t make sense — remember, that’s the frontier of learning. That’s where growth happens.”
