While we are all captivated by the brain and its influence on behavior, members of the lab also find time to enjoy outside activities. Some of them are described below.
In addition, there is a section describing the annual Banich lab hut trip. Colorado has a series of "huts", really oversized wooden cabins, located in beautiful locations high up in the mountains. They are reached by skiing or snowshoeing, generally on an average distance of 3-7 miles. While each hut has a propane stove and a wood-burning fireplace, one has to pack in all food and supplies. Each year we enjoy this adventure sometime in January.
Lab Member Fun Facts
Marie Banich, Principal Investigator
Marie loves all things Italian. Here is a picture of her wearing something she bought in Italy that is crafted by a fine Italian hand. Below that is a map of all the places in Italy (and surrounding countries) she has visited. Oh, and she makes a pretty tasty zucchini parmesan and a mean Aperol Spritz.
Boman Groff, Graduate Student
Boman loves to rock climb outdoors, read, and try to decide if he should adopt a dog.
Hyojeong Kim, Postdoc
Earlier in her life, Hyojeong pursed the dream of being a visual artist, which she has been able to utilize when developing graphics related to her studies. Naturally, she loves to paint and craft in her free time. She also recently became a mom for two kittens, and fully has embraced the cat-mom life.
Megan Patterson, Postdoc
In her free time, Megan enjoys rock climbing, board games with friends, and a good patio with her rescue pup Sparky.
Brynn Paulsen, Graduate Student
Brynn loves to travel internationally and has spent time in over 30 countries across 6 continents. On a recent trip, Brynn experienced Antarctica for the first time.
Daniel Leopold, Postdoc
Right before starting graduate school, Dan was on the 3rd season of NBC's Sing-Off with his college a cappella group, the Dartmouth Aires. Although they didn't win the competition, they happily came in 2nd place behind Pentatonix, who have since won 3 Grammys and countless other awards. This photo's from their encore of Queen's Somebody to Love during the finale - Dan is on the right.
Louisa Smith, Graduate Student
When Louisa isn’t working in the lab, she loves to be outside riding horses, working in her garden, or snowshoeing in the mountains.
Harry Smolker, Postdoc
When Harry is not studying the brain, he can often be found deep in the woods hunting prized gourmet mushrooms with his wife, Roxy, and their two dogs.
Annual Lab Hut Trip
2020:
2019: Uncle Bud's Cabin
The lab minus Marie (who could not go due to needed surgery on a broken thumb)
The night sky (as captured by Andrew)
The view on the way up to the cabin
2018: Shrine Mountain Inn (Chuck's Cabin)
This year we had the whole hut to ourselves.
2017: Cancelled due to a blizzard
2016: 10th Mountain Division Hut
A view from the porch with the Continental Divide in the background: awe inspiring!
2015: Janet's Cabin
Stopping for lunch on the way in
The view from the Cabin: Expansive
2014: Vance's Cabin
