Joseph is an accelerated MA student in the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience program who will soon be graduating in the spring of 2023.
At George Mason University, I have grown a dedicated commitment to broadening the characterization of autism by seeking to identify, support, and understand autistic individuals’ lived experiences from historically underrepresented groups most at risk of being misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, and/or late-diagnosed.
While at Mason, Boyle had the opportunity to conduct work as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Alison Jack’s primary lab, where he developed a passion for scientific discoveries. During his studies, he adopted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to the study of autism. This research approach focused on the perspectives of members of the autism community, and supports and includes autistic graduate students from diverse ethnic/racial, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds to develop research that is meaningful while aiming to address priorities identified by the autism community.
I was also accepted to and subsequently received a summer fellowship grant award for GMU’s Center for Adaptive Systems of Brain-Body Interactions’ highly competitive National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) program. Notably, I was accepted while still completing my undergraduate degree.
The NRT program focuses on collaborating with George Mason graduate students across diverse disciplinary fields and defining and solving real-world problems. Including involvement from community members vested in disability-related research. Boyle's project team is currently working to improve communication between persons with Parkinson's disease, care partners, and treatment teams by utilizing and developing a statewide campaign for the continuing medical education (CME) of Parkinson's disease certification for physicians powered by the INOVA Parkinson’s and movement disorders clinic in Arlington Virginia.
One of my favorite memories of being a student at GMU was having the honor of watching the sixth individual in United States history with Down’s Syndrome walk across the stage and receive their bachelor’s degree. These moments of perseverance and triumph are what fuel my desire to help people and what satisfies me most as a scientist. if you provide someone with the proper support and encouragement, the opportunities to succeed in life become limitless. This resonates with me because I am only as successful as the opportunities granted to me by my mentors and people who have come before me.
With his time here at George Mason, Boyle was able to experience and participate in a variety of things. These opportunities led him to apply to the University of California, where he was ultimately accepted into the Davis Ph.D. program in Psychology. Once he begins his studies, he plans on conducting and developing research at the UC Davis MIND Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Christine Nordahl.
I hope to expand what was graciously taught to me by Dr. Allison Jack and lab mates here at GMU, to primarily transform the way we recruit populations and draw inferences about neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions that are respectfully representative of all populations.
Calling all students! It's time to celebrate your incredible accomplishments, unforgettable life events, graduation milestones, and cherished moments during your time at the university!
You've worked tirelessly, overcoming challenges, and reaching new heights of success. Now, it's time to let your achievements shine bright! Take a moment and share your good news!
May 09, 2023
