James Donahue '23: Emmanuel Alum Blends Disciplines for Research Success

James Donahue ‘23 has quickly established himself as a promising researcher in the field of neuroscience.

A native of Coventry, Rhode Island, Donahue was drawn to Emmanuel’s unique blend of urban accessibility and close-knit community. “I wanted to go to school in the city. I eventually settled on Emmanuel because of how it’s closed off and at the same time right near Fenway Park, in the heart of Boston,” he explained.

His decision to pursue neuroscience, paired with a complementary biostatistics major, was influenced by the college's strong neuroscience program.

During his undergraduate years, Donahue was an active member of the Emmanuel community, serving as the inaugural Vice President of the Neuroscience Club and Secretary of the Chess Club. These experiences, coupled with his involvement in a summer research program under Dr. Ben Allen, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the department, and an internship at Mass General Hospital, fostered his passion for research and solidified his career path.

Donahue’s academic journey included extensive hands-on experience in both neuroscience and mathematics. His summer research internship, under the guidance of Dr. Ben Allen, Dr. Christine Sample, Associate Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. Yulia Dementieva, Professor of Mathematics, focused on applying graph theory to analyze the social interactions of weaver birds, along with other empirical and hypothetical networks. "We created mathematical formulas where we could interpret those graphs to analyze the interaction of individuals or collectives within the network," he said. This interdisciplinary project culminated in a published paper in the journal PNAS Nexus, a significant achievement for an undergraduate student.

Donahue's transition to research in neuroscience began with an internship at Mass General Hospital, facilitated by Dr. Melanie Leussis, Associate Professor of Psychology. Under the mentorship of Dr. Lauren Orefice and Harvard graduate student Herriet Hsieh, he delved into the complexities of gastrointestinal dysfunction in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The work at the lab has been instrumental in shedding light on the role of the peripheral nervous system in these conditions.

This experience proved pivotal, leading to a 2023 Distinction in the Field of Study at Emmanuel for his research project, “Neural Circuits and Behaviors for Visceral Pain in A Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder,” under Dr. Leussis' guidance.

Donahue's exceptional work as an intern led to a full-time research technician position at MGH, where he continues to explore the underlying mechanisms of gastrointestinal pain in mouse models of ASD. His research contributes to a growing body of knowledge about this painful condition and holds promise for developing improved treatments.

Beyond his scientific pursuits, Donahue is deeply committed to community involvement. He volunteers at Horizons for Homeless Children, a shelter providing housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness. Donahue dedicates his Monday evenings to the organization, working in the playroom where he interacts with children while their parents attend support programs.

"It gives the parents an opportunity to take a class or attend job training. And the kids have a blast just being kids. It’s the highlight of my week," he said.

Donahue’s future plans are ambitious and multifaceted. He is currently in the application process for both Ph.D. programs in neuroscience and a Fulbright scholarship. “I’d love to transition from mainly being a scientist in a lab to more of a business scientist working in venture capital or research and design,” he said.

While actively seeking recommendations from professors for his graduate school applications, Donahue also has the opportunity, as a recent graduate, to support the teaching and scholarship of his former professors. He is writing a letter of recommendation for Dr. Vincent Cannataro, Assistant Professor of Biology at Emmanuel, who is currently applying for tenure. Donahue credits Dr. Cannataro’s innovative teaching methods and mentorship with significantly impacting his academic journey, particularly in the realm of data analytics. This mutual support underscores the strong relationships Donahue forged during his time at Emmanuel.

With his exceptional academic achievements, hands-on research experience, and unwavering dedication, James Donahue is poised to make significant contributions to the field of neuroscience and beyond.