Madeline Machado
- M.Sc. Neuroscience (2025), B.A. Honours in Psychology, Concentration in Forensic Psychology + Minor in Neuroscience & Mental Health (2023)
Madeline earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2023, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience & Mental Health. She went on to complete her Master of Neuroscience at the University of Western Ontario, graduating in Fall 2025. As a recent graduate, she is currently seeking opportunities as a research analyst or assistant within the neuroscience field, with interests in organizations such as CAMH and SickKids.
“I would say it’s so important to follow your passion. Find what you love, what you are interested in, what topics you are constantly questioning and trying to learn more about. When I graduated I didn’t have a plan for a job/career, I just knew that I loved the brain and wanted to keep learning as much as I could.“
Brief description of what I do!
Throughout my Masters, my research focused on the impact of adolescent nicotine vapour exposure on mood and anxiety pathophysiology in the mesolimbic circuit, in preclinical models. I am extremely passionate about neuroscience, specifically neuropharmacology & wish to continue research within the neuropharmacology world, helping to make a real world impact.
What inspired your career path after graduation?
I had always been fascinated by behaviour, what makes people do the things they do. It began as an interest from a forensic perspective, aiming to understand what made criminals tick, but after pursuing the neuroscience minor I fell in love with the complexity of the brain and the ability to learn about people’s behaviour on a molecular level.
How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?
The psychology program opened my eyes to the world of opportunity associated with the psychology field. It showed me that there was so much more to understanding the mind than I had originally thought. Although I continued in neuroscience, the fields overlap so much that my psychology background was incredibly beneficial when I approached my masters research project. At Carleton I was taught by so many incredible professors who inspired me to dig deeper and believe in myself. I am so grateful to Carleton and the Psychology program for helping shape who I am today.
What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?
The skills I learned throughout my various psychology course (statistics, research methods, behavioural psychology) all translated over into my post graduate studies, providing my with a solid base to expand my knowledge regarding the scientific basis of the mind and behaviour. The Honours program specifically allowed me to pursue a research project in my final year, assessing the relationship between ADHD and Cannabis Use. This experience kick started my interest in doing hands on research, being able to analyze and synthesize data into meaningful results.
Do you have a favourite memory from your program at Carleton?
My favourite courses were Addiction (PSYC3403) and Personality Psychology (PSYC2600). I also thoroughly enjoyed my honours thesis course with Craig Bennel. My favourite professor/mentor who inspired me to continue in neuroscience was Dr. Kim Hellemans. Her passion for neuroscience and for supporting her students was incredibly admirable.
What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?
My proudest moment has certainly been defending my Masters thesis. I finally felt all of my hard work throughout my psychology and neuroscience degrees come to life and it was so rewarding. It’s really easy to get caught up with imposter syndrome, specifically in academia, but taking time to really recognize the big (and little) moments that led you to the final goal is so important.