Alfred Basilious

Windsor, Ontario
Graduating with an honours Bachelor of Science in behaviour, cognition and neuroscience

How did you pick your major of study, and why did you choose the University of Windsor?

I was attracted to the Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience program because it provided an opportunity to study a diversity of topics while focusing on human biology and psychology. I loved the idea of complementing what I learned in the classroom with research I was doing in a lab and seminars I attended as part of the program.

Initially, I chose UWindsor because it offered me a lot of scholarship money. Meeting some of the school's amazing faculty at the president's breakfast and receiving a call from the president asking me if I had any questions about the school also helped convince me to go to UWindsor.

What were your expectations of university? Has the University of Windsor met those expectations?

I expected university to be much like high school, just with more work. However, the University of Windsor greatly exceeded my expectations. I realized that my four years here were actually a life experience in which I became an active member of an academic community. It was here that I met the amazing people that today I call my colleagues and friends.

What would you say is the most important thing you have learned at university: about yourself, about other people, about your field of study, or about the world?

I learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration. For class, lab, and at work on campus I have learned that teamwork is essential to success and it really enhances the learning process. I can certainly say that I have learned something from everyone I have worked with in these past four years.

What would you say has been the most memorable part of your UWindsor experience?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one memorable experience in these four years. I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of my courses and learning about the human brain and human behaviour. I also greatly enjoyed my summers working on campus along with some of the friendliest, brightest and funniest people I know. Most of all I will remember all of our long comical lunches.

Please tell us why you are proud to be part of the University of Windsor’s graduating class of 2011.

I am proud to be part of the graduating class of 2011 because I know that the students I graduate with will go on to do great things. I am proud to call these people my colleagues, friends and fellow alumni. I look forward to working with my fellow graduates in the near and distant future to have a positive impact in the world.

Did you have a course, professor or classmate who inspired you?

During my undergraduate education at Windsor, I have spent three years in Dr. Barbara Zielinski's Neurobiology Lab. In this lab I had the pleasure of working with an amazing and inspiring group of outstanding individuals. Dr. Zielinski took me on for three years of summer NSERC USRA funded research and a thesis project. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Dr. Zielinski and learned a great deal from her in lab and in her Excitable Cells course. I have also worked closely with Warren Green who has impressed me with his dedication to his research and to collaboration within the academic community.

What are your plans following graduation?

This summer I am finishing up my research and then heading off in August to start medical school at the University of Toronto.