Sofia Knopf is our next Gateway Scholarship Recipient! A Plymouth, MA, native who’s found the perfect balance between her academic pursuits and athletic passion! Now a graduate student at WPI, she’s pursuing her master’s in Neuroscience while using her final year of NCAA eligibility to pitch for the WPI varsity softball team.
Knopf graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wheaton College as a Neuroscience major and minor in Peace and Social Justice Studies, but it took several courses to find her passion. “I didn’t know right away what I wanted to focus on,” she reflects. “My first year was all about trial and error.” She explored everything from physics to macroeconomics before finally finding her calling in neuroscience. “I like to think of it as the middle ground between different sciences, and that’s where I like to be.”
While at Wheaton, Knopf became deeply involved in hands-on research, working as a research assistant in Dr. Katherine Eskine’s Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. One of the highlights of her undergrad years was presenting their findings at the Neuron 2024 Conference. “We looked at how auditory stimuli affect word associations and cognitive creativity. It was a great experience to be part of such important research.”
Knopf also gained valuable clinical experience as a teaching assistant at the May Center School for Brain Injury & Neurobehavioral Disorders. “Working with students who had brain injuries was life-changing,” she says. “It made me see how research and clinical practice come together to make a real difference.”
The hands-on learning approach at WPI was a big draw for Knopf, as it aligns perfectly with how she learns best. “WPI’s emphasis on project-based learning really stood out to me,” she explains. “It’s a chance to apply what I’m learning to real-world problems, and I’m excited to further my education and contribute to research here.”
In addition to her academic endeavors, Knopf is also thrilled to be joining the WPI softball team. “It’s such a unique opportunity to play the sport I love for one more year while pursuing my degree. I’m really grateful for Coach Ross for helping me see WPI as the perfect next step.”
Looking forward, Knopf is interested in advancing research in neurodegenerative diseases and addiction prevention. Her goal is to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology and contribute to the field of diagnostics. “The Gateway Scholarship has made such a difference,” she says. “It’s going to allow me to fully focus on my studies without the weight of financial stress.”
Sofia Knopf is ready to make her mark both on the field and in the lab, and we’re so excited she’s here at WPI!