Claire Trotter

Ph.D., Applied Physiology

Hometown:
Charlotte, Vermont

What is your research area?
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in individuals living with multiple sclerosis.

What is something cool about your field?
Something cool about our research is that it is conducted on human subjects. The use of human subjects gives us a comprehensive look at how disease interacts with its environment.

What is the best thing you've done as a graduate student at SMU so far?
Since starting graduate school at SMU, I have had countless opportunities to meet/ collaborate with leading researchers in my field. The location of SMU in the DFW metroplex and my advisor have made this possible.

What is your favorite thing to do in Dallas?
Dallas has a great restaurant scene. I love trying new restaurants and revisiting my favorites.

What do you wish you'd known before starting graduate schools?
I wish I’d known the importance of self-driven time management and goal setting. Unlike undergrad or even Master’s programs, PhD studies give students a lot more autonomy. This autonomy is very beneficial for growth. However, in retrospect I would have started the program with planned short-term goals from the beginning. Four or five years seems like forever in the beginning, but quickly after starting you realize that it is actually a short time period for what you must accomplish.

What is your favorite leisure activity?
Yoga, running, reading and connecting with friends.