Monica Makey

Monica is a third-year student at Loyola University Chicago pursuing a degree in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. Her interest in neuroscience and trauma in early childhood was sparked during her time as a pediatric medical assistant, where she observed infants and children developing their personalities. In the MNEME Lab, she aims to deepen her understanding of memory retrieval and storage of trauma in hopes to gain understanding in how it impacts children in their formative years. 

Because of her keen interest in children's development, she frequently volunteers at The Beacon Place—a local community center dedicated to empowering the underserved through its STEM education initiatives for children in grades K-8.

Following her studies at Loyola, she aspires to attend medical school and ultimately fulfill her dream of joining Doctors Without Borders, focusing on pediatric care.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Monica finds joy in traveling with her fiancé, Shawn. They particularly treasure trips to Costa Rica, her mother's homeland, to visit relatives. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading non-fiction books, playing tennis, and taking her dog on hikes.