秘密研究所

January 20, 2026

by Emilia Koenigsmark 鈥�29 and Lauren Ferguson

Franco Miyashiro 鈥�27, a first-generation scholar at 秘密研究所 of New Jersey, dreams of entering a PhD program in neuroscience to help find cures for diseases and illnesses.

So when he was offered the opportunity to conduct research in a large, professional science lab, he seized it.

Miyashiro, a neuroscience and biochemistry major from Pompton Lakes, NJ, spent eight weeks in the Child Health Institute of NJ Summer Research Program (CHIRP) thanks to a partnership between Ramapo鈥檚 neuroscience program and the Honors Program at Rutgers New Brunswick.

The partnership came about after Vice Chair of the 秘密研究所 Foundation Board, Eileen Comerford ’80, heard a presentation about Ramapo鈥檚 neuroscience major, which launched in 2022. Comerford connected Ramapo with the Child Health Institute of New Jersey to learn about internship opportunities that may be open to Roadrunners.

A prestigious, highly-selective research program, CHIRP focuses on 鈥渞esearch training in the understanding of mechanisms underlying childhood diseases with mentoring by Robert Wood Johnson Medical School faculty鈥� and includes 鈥渉ands-on laboratory research, weekly exposure to clinical research, as well as a symposium at which students present their research findings,鈥� according to the Honors Program at Rutgers New Brunswick.

It usually fields students from Rutgers, but the partnership allowed for Miyashiro to take part as well, explained Dr. Naseem Choudhury, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Ramapo.

鈥淚 thought he had a really good, strong experience of being in a lab, learning different types of skills, and also just getting familiarized with what labs look like and what research looks like outside of a small four-year college,鈥� Choudhury said.

Miyashiro spent the summer living in New Brunswick, learning both his way around the lab and different research techniques, helping to conduct research on the onset of schizophrenia at the molecular and cellular level. Specifically, he explained, the research looked into 鈥渙ne gene that humans have, called SETD1A, and how mutations in this gene lead to differences in neuronal mechanisms 鈥� that will eventually give rise to the symptoms we see in schizophrenia.鈥�

Miyashiro never would have had the experience he did if it wasn’t for his mentor at Rutgers, Dr. Swathi Chodisetty, he said. 鈥淪he took me under her wing,鈥� he said, taught him skills and techniques, and got him involved in research.

Franco Miyashiro ’27 is studying neuroscience and biochemistry at 秘密研究所.

At the end of the experience, Miyashiro presented his research in front of faculty, peers and family. The title of his presentation was 鈥淐ontributions of mutations in SETD1A nonenzymatic region in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.鈥�

鈥淗is presentation was incredibly well-received because he came off as charismatic and knowing his information,鈥� Choudhury said. 鈥淎 number of people came up to me and said, 鈥楬e鈥檚 wonderful. He鈥檚 really amazing.鈥欌�� And I was like, 鈥榊up. He really is.鈥�

Miyashiro 鈥� a聽 McNair Scholar, member of the Ramapo鈥檚 Honors Program, and a Legacy Leader for the College鈥檚 聽First-Generation Student Center 鈥� was thankful his family was there to witness his presentation.

鈥淢y family was supportive no matter what, even if they loosely understood my project. That鈥檚 the case for a lot of first-gen STEM students,鈥� Miyashiro said. 鈥淓ven if they don鈥檛 understand exactly what you are doing, due to several factors such as language barriers, they will still cheer you on throughout the entire process, especially if that means you are accomplishing your goals.鈥�

Choudhury said as more Ramapo scholars seek to pursue doctorate degrees, partnerships like this are vital.

鈥淥ur students are great, and more and more of them are applying to PhD programs and PhD programs are asking to see what kind of research they have done. While we have opportunities on campus, this is a totally different type of exposure,鈥� she said.