Throughout the spring and summer, we'll be honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Lexi Riley-DiPaolo, a cognitive behavioral neuroscience major from Jacksonville, Florida. Riley-DiPaolo is a member of the swimming and diving team.

Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I loved the atmosphere from the moment I stepped on campus. It felt so welcoming and like home. I was also excited about the undergraduate research opportunities available. I was impressed with the passion for teaching that many of the professors showed.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: Swimming has been my passion since I was a kid. Getting the opportunity to compete in college was something I always dreamed about and I've loved swimming as a Fighting Scot. My academics are also extremely important to me, and Wooster makes it a priority for athletes to still have the time and resources to be successful in classes, while also training for your sport.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster? (few sentences these can be academic, athletic, or a combination of the two)
A: Researching over the summers with Dr. (Brian) Carlson, Dr. (Rick) Lehtinen, Maria Mullin, and Alyssa Hamm was one of my favorite parts of Wooster. Learning how to do work in a lab with them with Disney music playing in the background, playing card games, and doodling on white boards during our down time are memories I will always cherish. In the summer of 2019, we were among the first people to work in the newly-opened Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science. Working with this group helped me learn how gratifying and enjoyable research can be and the atmosphere I strive to be a part of in the future.

Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: Getting to compete and be a part of a team in college has been an exciting continuation of my swimming career.

Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I worked as a student researcher for 2.5 years, participated in the Health Coach Program, have been a teaching assistant for three semesters, am the co-treasurer for the Neuroscience Club, was inducted into Wooster's chapter of Nu Rho Psi (National Honor Society in Neuroscience), and wrote for The Wooster Voice as a first-year.

Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. (Amy Jo) Stavnezer and Dr. Carlson had the greatest impact on my experience at Wooster. Dr. Carlson was one of the first people I met on campus when he was my ARCH (Academic Registration and Creative Horizons) advisor. I took Biology 111 with him, spent three years researching with him, and was a teaching assistant for his lab. I can wholeheartedly say he helped me develop the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in science and will aid me for the rest of my career and life. Dr. Stavnezer has quickly become my mentor in the subject of neuroscience. She represents the passion and drive that I aspire to works towards in my future. I have had the opportunity to take classes with her, be her teaching assistant, and she is currently acting as my Independent Study advisor. She has been an integral part of me developing research skills in neuroscience and is an inspiration for my future.

Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: Some of my professors throughout the years helped me maintain my passion for science and learning, including Dr. (Seth) Kelly, Dr. (Emily) Elderbrock, Dr. (Katie) Boes, Dr. Lehtinen, Dr. (Karen) Haely, and Dr. (Grit) Herzmann. These professors taught with passion and were compassionate to their students.

Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: For my Independent Study I am examining the impacts of sleep and exercise on Alzheimer's disease in a rodent model. Specifically, I am using melatonin and environmental enrichment (toys, running wheels, etc.) to explore how memory and learning is altered using different mazes for mice.

Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A:  For two years, I was able to be a part of a research team that studied the genetics and evolution surrounding the black squirrels that are an important part of our campus. This project resulted in a presentation at a national biology conference and a publication in Ecology and Evolution. This research experience helped me develop a strong base of skills as a scientist that will be important in my future.

Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A:  Throughout life there will be people who will try to tear you down and doubt you. It's important to remain kind and true to yourself because you will eventually find friends who care for you and love you as you are. College is about figuring out who you want to be and the way you want to live. Have patience with yourself and allow yourself room to grow and do better.

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Interested in becoming a Fighting Scot?
Prospective student-athletes can click here to request more information from a coach and you can view the virtual campus tour here.