Student Body President Giana Abraham Excels in Research and Campus Leadership

From conducting research in neuroscience labs to leading student government meetings and volunteering with the UT Dallas 9-1-1 first-responders team, Giana Abraham has become an integral part of the Comet community.

The current student body president and a psychology and neuroscience double major, Abraham describes her undergraduate journey as transformative.

Besides her responsibilities as a School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) student and her commitment with student government, she serves as a member of the University Emergency Medical Response. And even finds time to skate down Rutford Avenue to cool down.

“UTD proves that what you put in is what you get out,” Abraham said. “This school and overall university are rife with such an abundance of opportunity, especially as accessibility to participate in all of these programs only increases.”

Since before graduating from Allen High School, Abraham has been in the path of becoming a doctor. During her first year at BBS, Abraham began her research journey in the Brain Circuits Laboratory. Under the mentorship of Professor of Neuroscience Dr. Steven Small, she analyzed the impact of affective arousal on brain circuits for emotion, attention, and memory.

“Gianna combines academic excellence, kindness, and enthusiasm, which will lead her to a tremendous future in biomedicine,” Dr. Small said.

She later joined the Cellular and Synaptic Physiology Lab, led by Associate Professor Dr. Sven Kroener, where she studied neuronal excitability in alcohol addiction — measuring how alcohol affects brain cell activity and how those changes could inform potential treatments for alcohol use disorders.

“She is a deeply passionate and enthusiastic student who genuinely cares about her role in the research in my lab, and who is always among the first to volunteer for new projects and to test new ideas,” Dr. Kroener said.

“The science-heavy coursework builds both knowledge and discipline,” she said. “Having both dry and wet lab experience has given me a complete view of how research works from the ground up. Classes like Medical Neuroscience and Journey into Medicine introduced me to emergency medicine as a field, while the lab work sharpened my focus and problem-solving skills.”

In August, Abraham was sworn in as the UT Dallas student government president for the 2025-2026 term, serving as the official student voice to the University’s administration, the UT System Board of Regents, and other governmental entities. During her term, Abraham aims to ensure student-athletes have a voice in key university decisions, fulfill campaign promises to strengthen connections within the student body, and protect the interests of international students. She is also prioritizing stronger partnerships with campus groups and departments — including the Basic Needs Resource Center — to better support students’ well-being and success.

“I am serving in the role of Student Government President in hopes of giving back even a fraction of the opportunity that I have been given, and I hope to act as a servant leader throughout the coming school year,” she said.

As a Eugene McDermott Scholar, one of UT Dallas’ most prestigious full-ride scholarship recipients, Abraham has made campus her home — living in University Village and embracing every opportunity the Comet experience offers.

During Summer, she studied abroad exploring Molecular Evolution in the Galápagos and the History of Medicine in London and Scotland with the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College. She later spent a semester in Washington, D.C., as part of the Archer Fellowship, interning with the Alliance for Health Policy — an experience that opened her eyes to how policy shapes healthcare and technology. Back on campus, Abraham continues to serve others as a first responder with University Emergency Medical Response and through volunteer efforts with Comets Help.

Balancing her rigorous studies with the responsibilities of representing the UT Dallas student body hasn’t been easy, but Abraham has mastered the art of time management — a skill she credits to her experience conducting neuroscience research in campus labs. She says that managing six-hour weekly shifts with University Emergency Medical Response alongside demanding science courses has taught her how to stay organized, a discipline she knows will serve her well in her future medical career.

“The research opportunities, dedicated professors, and challenge of the coursework make BBS a great place to grow.” Abraham said. “I am so immensely grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way.”