First Black woman to earn neuroscience PhD from UR continues research through pandemic

By NOELLE E. C. EVANS  via https://www.wxxinews.org/

The first Black woman to receive her Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Rochester is continuing that research. Along with scientists around the world, she will be dealing with additional challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. WXXI’s Noelle Evans has more.

Monique Mendes wasn’t aware that she was the first Black woman to receive her Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Rochester until after she completed her dissertation. 

“It was pretty lonely to be, sometimes, the only Black woman in the conference room or at U of R,” said Mendes. 

In July, a Twitter campaign began with an account called @BlackinNeuro with a focus on highlighting Black excellence in neuroscience. 

“It actually brought tears to my eyes at one point because of some of the challenges of just being the only Black woman or Black person at your institution,” Mendes said. “I thought I..

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