In the Blumberg lab, Rikki studies how myoclonic twitching (the little jerky movements we make during REM sleep) works in the brain to help it figure out which muscle connects to which neuron.  The project she is currently on involves examining the differences between twitching in autism mouse models and regular, wild-type mice. 

Along with being a neuroscience major, Rikki is a part of the Iowa Biosciences program and is a student ambassador for both ICRU and the biology department.  She plans to continue with neuroscience through graduate school, and her biggest wish is to be someone's favorite professor one day.  

Rikki very much enjoys talking to students and helping them in any way she can!  In her free time, she likes to read fantasy novels and crochet.