Nicole Economou graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2009 with a BA in Neuroscience and Behavior.  She is currently coordinating a study that is exploring the mechanisms of hot flashes and their impact on sleep and mood.  Nicole is also working on a study investigating the effects of an oral contraceptive pill on premenstrual worsening of depression as well as a study using omega-3 fatty acids as a potential treatment for menopausal depression.  Nicole is interested in the effects that hormonal changes across a woman’s lifetime can have on mood and behavior.  She is also interested in public health, particularly in preventative health initiatives in vulnerable populations.  She plans to apply to medical school next year with a focus on women’s health and adolescent medicine.