NCB's 2026 Distinguished Graduates in Neuroscience

The University of San Diego Neuroscience, Cognition, and Behavior (NCB) Department is proud to announce the recipients of the Distinguished Graduate in Neuroscience award. This year’s honorees are Audrey Moffatt, Micah Concepcion and Sara Pardo. Through rigorous lab work, community service and interdisciplinary study, these students have demonstrated a profound commitment to understanding the complexities of the brain and behavior.

Audrey Moffatt

BS in Neuroscience | Minors in Chemistry and Biology

Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, Audrey Moffatt’s journey at USD has been defined by her leadership within the Hales Lab. Her experience leading a project involving a cohort of mTBI rats over a summer served as a cornerstone of her undergraduate career. "These moments were some of my most challenging and rewarding experiences which have had a major role in shaping who I am today," Moffatt reflects. 

Beyond her research in the Hales Lab, Moffatt’s passion for the biological sciences was solidified while serving as a TA for the Genomes and Evolution Bio Lab, an experience she credits with turning microbiology into a potential career specialty. Following graduation, Moffatt  plans to return to Los Angeles to work as an EMT while preparing for medical school applications.

Her message to future Toreros is one of exploration: "I would encourage future students to pursue a path they are passionate about and not limit themselves."

Micah Concepcion

BA in Behavioral Neuroscience | Minors in Chemistry and Spanish

Micah Concepcion’s academic path was carved with interdisciplinary curiosity. A member of Phi Beta Kappa and Nu Rho Psi, Concepcion’s time was split between synthesizing fluorescent dopamine analogs in organic chemistry labs and tracking rat spatial navigation in the animal behavior lab of Professor of Neuroscience, Cognition and Behavior Rachel Blaser, PhD. "Research in [Dr. Blaser's] lab has allowed me to understand comparative psychology and rat models for human neurological and psychiatric disorders," Concepcion notes.

Concepcion’s future will be dedicated to clinical service and specialized research. After graduation, they intend to continue working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and pursue a master’s program to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). With a specific interest in musicotherapies for children with autism, Concepcion aims to model rhythmic training to attenuate behavioral symptoms.

To future students, Concepcion offers a spiritual perspective: "Share that love of God with everyone you can, and put yourself in positions where you can do so."

Sara Pardo

BS in Neuroscience | First-Generation Scholar

As a first-generation Native American and Hispanic student born and raised in San Diego, Sara Pardo’s achievements are a source of pride for both her family and the university. Pardo’s favorite USD memory takes her back to the neuroscience lab, where she conducted research on her own project. "I met so many wonderful people in my lab and in other labs that encouraged me to keep working towards my goals," she says.

Pardo’s goals are fueled by a desire to provide representation and high-level care in the medical field. She is currently scheduled to take the MCAT in August 2026 and plans to gain hands-on experience at a San Diego infertility clinic before applying to medical school. 

Pardo encourages her peers to build their own support systems: "Create your own little community so when you do feel stuck, you have people you can fall back on to help you. Even when things start to get increasingly difficult, you have made it this far and that's something to be incredibly proud of."