Lakeland University Neuroscience Senior Livy Heling Leaves a Legacy in Lab and on Court
Livy Heling’s senior year at Lakeland University has been defined by a rare blend of scientific rigor and athletic discipline. A first‑generation college student from West Bend, Wisconsin, Heling has used her time in the Chase Science Center and the campus tennis courts to forge a path that others can follow.
Balancing Science and Athletics: The Journey of Livy Heling
Heling’s story starts with a clear choice: pursue a degree in neuroscience while maintaining her commitments on the court. During her sophomore year, she earned the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Scholar‑Athlete Award and was named 2022 NACC Freshman of the Year. Her dual focus demonstrates that academic excellence and athletic participation can coexist, and she has become a role model for peers who wish to follow a similar path.
Key Traits That Turned Potential into Performance
Effort, organization, and community engagement are the pillars of her success. Beyond the lab, Heling was co‑president of the Biology Club and a member of the Math Club, and she also served as a youth tennis coach and a resident assistant. Each role honed communication skills, teamwork, and leadership—attributes essential for both research and sport.
Summer Research at UW‑Madison: Expanding Laboratory Skills
In the summer following her freshman year, Heling was selected for the University of Wisconsin‑Madison’s Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress Summer Research Program. Out of more than 350 applicants, only 15‑30 students were accepted. The experience allowed her to study hippocampal plasticity in mice—a direct extension of the research projects she pursued in Lakeland’s undergraduate lab.
From Dissection to Data: A Day in the Lab
The program taught Heling to navigate complex protocols: removing mouse brains under a dissecting microscope and applying paired electrical pulses to the hippocampus. The hands‑on work deepened her understanding of memory formation mechanisms and prepared her for graduate‑level research. Her time at UW‑Madison also offered a glimpse into high‑budget research environments, broadening her perspective on career possibilities.
Academic Excellence and Community Impact
Heling’s academic record reflects her proactive approach to learning. A recipient of the College’s Science, Technology & Education full‑tuition scholarship, she had Lakeland University as her top choice from the beginning. Faculty praise her for consistently being “one of the top students in the class” and for building meaningful connections with advisers such as Associate Professor Andrew Karls, who provided guidance on research techniques and interview preparation.
Extending Influence Beyond the Classroom
Her volunteer work—preparing children’s craft kits, facilitating library literacy programs, and coaching tennis—highlights her commitment to community service. Heling’s role as a resident assistant further illustrated her patience and ability to support peers facing personal challenges, skills that resonate within her research lab when collaborating with team members on complex projects.
Preparing for Graduate School and a Career in Neuroscience
Looking ahead, Heling plans to submit applications to doctoral programs in neuroscience. Her combined research experience at Lakeland and UW‑Madison gives her a competitive edge, particularly in fields focusing on memory formation and synaptic plasticity. Faculty advisors have emphasized the importance of early field experience, and Heling’s summer internship exemplifies that strategy.
Staying Connected and Building Networks
Maintaining strong ties with faculty and peers keeps her on a clear trajectory. At Lakeland, she will continue to engage with the Biology Club and might extend her outreach to national conferences, presenting poster findings on hippocampal studies. These steps are critical for building a professional network that supports future research endeavors and career opportunities.
Take the Next Step in Your Own Journey
Prospective students interested in combining rigorous scientific training with athletic opportunities can learn more about Lakeland’s Neuroscience program by visiting the Biology Department website. Explore scholarship options that could reduce financial barriers. If you’re curious about the graduate school preparation resources Lakeland offers, discover the Graduate Prep program. Apply now to join the Lakeland community and begin building a legacy of impact in both research and sport.
