USC Neuroscience Student Ansley Martin Champions Research and Alzheimer’s Awareness
Ansley Martin, a neuroscience major at the University of South Carolina, is making significant contributions to research and community outreach, particularly in the area of Alzheimer’s disease. The junior from Greenville, South Carolina, has consistently engaged in research opportunities and is preparing for her third year presenting at Discover USC, the university’s annual research showcase.
Early Research Involvement and the SNIRP Program
Martin’s dedication to research began before her freshman year at USC. She participated in the Structured Neuroimaging-Intensive Research Program (SNIRP), led by Dr. John Absher, a neurologist at Prisma Health and a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. SNIRP allowed her to analyze data on patients with brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. She returned to SNIRP the following summer as a teaching assistant, a role she created and funded through a stipend from the South Carolina Internship Program.
Discover USC Presentations and Innovation
Martin has presented her research at Discover USC in both 2024 and 2025, and is preparing to present again in 2026. Discover USC showcases over 1,000 research projects annually from students across all disciplines at the university. Martin values the feedback she receives from experts in diverse fields and the connections she makes through the event. Her current project, “Brain Age Estimation from Structural Connectomes: Network-Level Vulnerability and Depression Risk,” investigates “brain age” as an MRI-based biomarker of brain health. Accelerated brain age is linked to increased risks of cognitive decline, neurovascular disease, and psychiatric conditions.
Vibrant Minds: A Student-Driven Initiative for Alzheimer’s Patients
Inspired by her great-grandmother’s experience with Alzheimer’s, Martin teamed up with Stella Tew, an Honors senior, to launch Vibrant Minds, an expressive arts program through USC Brain Health. Vibrant Minds aims to bring joy, connection, and creativity to older adults living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurological conditions.
Magellan Scholar and Future Goals
Martin’s involvement in Discover USC was initially spurred by receiving the Magellan Scholar Award in spring 2025, which required dissemination of her work at the conference. She also credits her research experiences with helping her develop leadership skills and organizational abilities.
Ansley Martin’s dedication to neuroscience research and her commitment to supporting those affected by Alzheimer’s disease demonstrate a promising future in the field.