Meet Madison Lilly ’25 Neuroscience major Lilly’s most impactful experience at W&L has been a summer research project in the Netherlands to analyze Dutch art.

Office of Communications of Public Affairs
October 1, 2024

Madison Lilly ’25
Hometown: Narrows, Virginia
Majors/minors: Neuroscience major and poverty and human capability studies minor

Why did you choose to come to W&L?
I chose to come to W&L because of the friendly atmosphere and the size of Lexington. Coming from a town much less populated than Lexington, I was nervous my first year. However, everyone has been so friendly and made me feel at home from the beginning.

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn’t expect to study when you first came to W&L?
I never intended to study neuroscience, which is now my major. I came to W&L planning to study biochemistry or biology, but after taking Brain and Behavior my first year, I knew that neuroscience would define the rest of my time at W&L. I was excited to learn that it aligned well with my pre-med track, and I am beyond happy with my decision.

Where is your “home” on campus?
The dance studio! I joined the Repertory Dance Company at the beginning of my sophomore year, and I love being able to meet and perform with so many talented people from all corners of campus. I have met so many people I never would have crossed paths with due to different class years, majors or Greek life affiliations.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
My most impactful experience at W&L would probably be my Summer Research Scholars experience in summer 2023. I was fortunate to travel to the Netherlands with the Uffelman Lab to analyze Dutch art using spectroscopic methods. It was such a unique experience that proves the opportunities at W&L are like no other.

Though my time with the research group was confined to that summer, the experience has never left me. While studying abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, I even traveled back to the Netherlands and attended an exhibition featuring one of the paintings imaged by our research group. It was incredible to see how the imaging science data were used by conservators to preserve amazing works of art like that one. The overall experience was a testament to the value of interdisciplinary studies and the opportunities to pursue them through W&L every day.