ACUMEN Spring2023

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 23 “There have been a few times where it has felt like it might all be too much, but it has taught me amazing time management and prioritization skills,” he says. “My biggest takeaway from balancing different aspects of my life is to set aside time for each one when necessary and go all in ... don’t try to go back and forth.” With plans to graduate this coming May, Forrest is looking forward to his next set of challenges and opportunities. He is currently in the process of studying for the MCAT with plans to apply to medical school next summer. He says he hopes to spend next year gaining further experience in clinical and research settings before matriculating to medical school in the summer of 2024. Whether in class or in the lab, he concentrates on being fully present. When at practice or playing a game, he focuses on nothing but soccer. He lets nothing distract him from doing homework or studying. “By dividing my responsibilities up like this,” Forrest says, “it has allowed me to fully embrace each one and give each my best performance.” ● allows us to image these synapses and affect their activity using a light stimulus,” he says. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this lab, as it has allowed me to expand my scientific inquiry skills while learning new research techniques under great mentorship.” In addition to his academic pursuits, Forrest is the captain of the Lehigh men’s soccer team. Born in England and moving to the United States at a young age, he says soccer was always part of his family’s life. “My dad played professionally in England many years ago, and my two older brothers were both soccer players themselves,” he says. “My older brother, Mark, also played soccer at Lehigh before me and then went on to play professionally himself, so that was a huge factor in my decision to play here and follow in his footsteps. I had a great relationship with Lehigh’s coaching staff during my recruiting process, and they showed really high interest in me as a player and person, so my decision to play soccer at Lehigh was pretty straightforward in the end.” Balancing school, research and sports has come with its challenges, he says. “ At first glance, behavioral neuroscience and economics seem completely unrelated, but I think the two of them perfectly complement each other in many ways.”

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==