We are delighted to bring you the fourth issue of The Hillock in the face of the unprecedented challenges that have accompanied the year 2020. The Hillock was created to document the history of our department, highlight accomplishments and successes, and, most importantly, celebrate our shared humanity. We believe that this mission was necessary this year more so than ever.

In this shortened issue, we continue to remember the history of our department, this time from Dr. John Houle. Dr. Houle had first set his eyes on our department while still a graduate student; however, a long journey stood ahead of him before he joined. At each step of his journey Dr. Houle not only reflects on advancements in the research field, but also on interpersonal relationships that we dearly cherish in our department. Dr. Houle reminds us that building friendly, supporting 1and positive relationships is one key to the success we enjoy in our department today. The contents of this edition, such as the feature story on the Neuroscience Graduate Students for Diversity (NGSD) Group, grants and awards, and the acknowledgement of a new incoming class of graduate students, highlight the astonishing ability of our departmental members to not only persist, but flourish despite the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupting both our work and personal lives. The creativity of the department is highlighted in both the creative submission and the ways in which our department members have continued to participate in outreach in virtual formats. Back by popular demand, our scientist support animals are featured again in this edition, and we welcome all the new companions that have joined your lives since the start of the pandemic.

Finally, we wish to dedicate this issue to those who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic, to those who are missing their families, and those that we are missing from our department (Shasha Yang) due to travel restrictions.

The Editorial Team

Andrey Borisyuk, Ankita Patil, Ashley Opalka, Jani Bilchak, Jeremy Weinberger, Nancy Mack, Philip Yates, Sadie Bennison and Shrobona Guha

 
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