The story of biochemistry alumnus Noah H. Wenger ‘20 is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the unexpected twists that come with pursuing a career in science. He started his journey with aspirations of becoming a physician but ultimately uncovered a profound passion in research and neuro science.

With a firm belief that he would become a physician, Wenger took every necessary step to prepare, from attending an Allied Health program at his local vocational high school to completing medical prerequisite coursework and sitting for the MCATs multiple times. Despite his hard work and dedication, he failed to secure admission into a medical school. This could have been a significant setback for many, but for him, it was a pivotal moment to reevaluate not just his immediate goals but the path he had been following.

A Shift in Focus: Discovering Research

Wanting to build his med school application, Wenger enrolled in the biomedical science graduate program at Rowan University. During this time, he worked as a medical scribe in a cardiology office, gaining firsthand experience in the medical field's high-pressure environment. “I worked with some really great people, and I learned some amazing things, but it made me realize that I didn't want that lifestyle,” he said, reflecting on the demands of medical practice, especially in the post-COVID era. The experience also reignited his love for the sciences, particularly research.

He reflected on his undergraduate years working in Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Nathaniel Hartman's lab, where he first experienced the excitement of scientific inquiry. "I really felt like I was a part of the scientific process,” he fondly recalled. However, COVID disrupted research for many students, and he was unable to return to the lab during his master’s program as he anticipated. Focused on transitioning away from medicine, Wenger began job hunting in the biotechnology industry after graduating with his master’s in 2022. His perseverance paid off last September when he landed a position as a lab manager in a newly established behavioral neuroscience lab at Rowan University under Dr. Gunes Kutlu. “I’ve been in this role for a year now, and it’s been incredible,” he said.

In his current position, he wears many hats: overseeing day-to-day lab operations, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and managing logistics. The laboratory Wenger works in focuses on studying social and fear learning hierarchies in mice, particularly examining dorsolateral striatum (DLS) brain region and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine's role in these processes. Since viruses are good at carrying genetic information from one place to another, a genetic sensor (a fluorescent protein) is surgically injected into the DLS using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) that will glow under a certain wavelength of light through an optic implant.

 

The research involves a series of experiments using an operant conditioning box to present various stimuli (neutral, positive, and negative) to the mice. The research team’s findings indicate that acetylcholine levels decrease during positive stimuli (like sucrose) and increase during negative stimuli (like quinine and mild foot shocks). 

Subsequent experiments on fear conditioning show that acetylcholine levels rise in response to cues predicting shocks, whereas extinction trials reveal diminishing acetylcholine responses as the shocks are removed.

A significant aspect of the research is the use of miniature microscopes to visualize neuron activity in real time, identifying specific neurons that respond exclusively to negative stimuli. Future directions include the exploration of optogenetics to manipulate acetylcholine levels during behavioral experiments, aiming to deepen understanding of its role in learning and memory. The researchers plan to refine their approach to teaching mice that cues can predict safety, addressing confounding variables in their initial attempts.

Video explanation of optogenetics.

Overall, the lab is at the forefront of integrating advanced techniques to explore the neural mechanisms underlying learning and emotional responses in patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, and addiction. 

Although Wenger’s career path was not linear, he, like many others, through perseverance and exploration, eventually found his way. Although the initial dream of becoming a doctor may not have materialized, he found fulfillment in research—a field where he can engage with the scientific process and contribute to science in meaningful ways.

In a world where career aspirations can change and evolve, Wenger’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones we never expected to take.