Where Neuroscience Graduates Work and Study
HPU neuroscience alumni work and study at:
- National Institutes of Health
- KBI Biopharma
- Myro Therapeutics
- J.P. Morgan
- Teach For America
- Parkland Health
- Penn State College of Medicine
- Wake Forest School of Medicine
- New England College of Optometry
Neuroscience Salary and Job Outlook
U.S. News & World Report ranks High Point University #1 among Regional Universities in the South for Earnings by Major in Best Colleges 2027, a factor that measures what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.
Across all majors, 99% of High Point University’s Class of 2025 was employed or continuing their education within 180 days of graduation, 13 points above the national average, measured by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards. The Princeton Review ranks HPU #14 for Best Career Services in its 2027 guide.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, medical scientists earned a median of $103,410 in May 2025, with 13% projected growth from 2025 to 2035. Biochemists and biophysicists earned a median of $127,410, with 12% projected growth, and psychologists earned $99,110.
Job Titles Neuroscience Graduates Hold
- Researcher (National Institutes of Health)
- Research Associate I (KBI Biopharma)
- Research Assistant (Myro Therapeutics)
- Corporate Analyst (J.P. Morgan)
- High School Science Teacher (Teach For America)
- Medical Assistant in General Surgery (Wentworth-Douglass Hospital)
- M.D. Candidate
Roles Neuroscience Graduates Can Pursue
- Physician or Neurologist, after medical school
- Neuroscience Research Scientist
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Optometrist or Pharmacist, after professional school
- Health Policy Analyst
Neuroscience Student Organizations
HPU neuroscience majors build pre-professional and research experience through these clubs and honor societies:
- Neuroscience Club
- Pre-Med Society
- Pre-Optometry Club
- Psychology Club
- HOSA Future Health Professionals
- Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Pre-Professional Honor Society
- Natural Sciences Fellows
Every registered club is listed in the Student Government Association club directory, and HPU’s honor societies are listed on their own page.
The Neuroscience Club hosts scientific speakers, sponsors a student trip to the National Institutes of Health and connects neuroscience with religion, philosophy, political science and economics.
Neuroscience Research and Presentations
Students present at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Symposium and at the Symposium for Young Neuroscientists and Professors of the South East, and they earn grants, internships and publications with Ph.D. faculty. Lena Hetrick presented at Society for Neuroscience 2024, and Faith Bradley won two prizes at the Society for Sports Neuroscience conference.
Neuroscience Alumni and Research
Emerson Heckler
Medical Student, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Emerson Heckler majored in neuroscience with a psychology minor and entered medical school on a full-tuition scholarship.
Marlo Hemerson
Research Associate I, KBI Biopharma
Marlo Hemerson double majored in neuroscience and chemistry and now does analytical testing on drug products in Durham.
Summer Research in the Sciences
Wanek School of Natural Sciences
Students in HPU’s summer research programs study concussion, dehydration, biomechanics and acoustics alongside faculty mentors.
Neuroscience Graduate Outcomes
Allison Tucker became a researcher at the National Institutes of Health through its Undergraduate Scholarship Program. Alexandra Kapolis joined Myro Therapeutics as a research assistant. Ryan Hesterman took a neuroscience degree into finance as a corporate analyst at J.P. Morgan.
Barbara Biglari is a patient relations advisor at Parkland Health, Josiah Williams teaches high school science through Teach For America and Alyssa Milliken is a medical assistant in general surgery at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
Medical and Professional School
Billy Mathias entered Penn State College of Medicine. Annie Rexha earned a place in Wake Forest School of Medicine’s biomedical sciences master’s program, and Leann Werner continued to the New England College of Optometry.
Neuroscience Internships
Neuroscience students have interned with:
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Alzheimer’s disease research (Lena Hetrick)
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine (Giovana Abe Mascoli)
- Funded summer research in HPU faculty labs
Neuroscience Graduates in Their Own Words
Faculty mentors and research experience come up again and again when neuroscience alumni talk about HPU.
Barbara Biglari
Patient Relations Advisor, Parkland Health
“Dr. Bill Kochen, assistant professor and founding chair of neuroscience, has an incredible desire to help students achieve their goals.”
Emerson Heckler
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
“With a team of nine advisors supporting me throughout my pre-med journey, I received authentic mentorship and guidance that extended beyond academics.”
Lena Hetrick
Summer Neuroscience Intern, McKnight Brain Institute
“My research experience in Dr. Zukowski’s lab prepared me for the working environment.”
Neuroscience in the News
Marlo Hemerson
Marlo Hemerson Joins KBI Biopharma
“One of the most impactful experiences I had at HPU was being part of the Natural Sciences Fellows program. That community gave me access to incredible mentors who supported me throughout my time at HPU and continued to guide me after graduation.”
99% of HPU Graduates Are Employed or Furthering Their Education Within 180 Days
She also was accepted to M.D. programs at Dartmouth College and Virginia Commonwealth University, which is an even more impressive accomplishment considering the Association of American Medical Colleges reports only about 40% of pre-med majors get accepted into medical school.
Toheed Zaman
HPU Supports Five AmeriCorps VISTAs in Serving the Local Community
Toheed Zaman, an HPU alumna who earned a B.S. in neuroscience with a minor in civic responsibility and social innovation, serves as a VISTA at the High Point Schools Partnership.
Start Your Science Career at High Point University
See the courses behind these careers and how HPU neuroscience ranks.
Accreditation & Awards Curriculum & Research
Questions about the program? Email Dr. William Kochen at [email protected].