Katherine A. O’Neill ’76: From Lab Bench to Classroom

A psychology major, O’Neill was drawn early to the study of the brain and behavior. As a senior, she worked alongside classmate Jacqueline “Jackie” Samson ’76 in a laboratory at Massachusetts Mental Health Center, studying the biological underpinnings of behavior. Their research focused on “learned helplessness,” a model used to understand depressive symptoms, and involved analyzing brain chemistry in animal models.

The work was rigorous and, at times, challenging. “I didn’t think I had the guts,” she said of her early lab experience. But it sparked a lasting interest. “I was intrigued with the biochemistry of neuroscience.”

That interest led her to pursue a Ph.D. in experimental psychology at the University of Rhode Island, followed by postdoctoral research in neuroscience, psychiatry, and pharmacology, including positions at NYU Medical Center and UMDNJ (now part of Rutgers University).

After several years in academic research, O’Neill shifted her focus to the pharmaceutical industry. “Market research is psychology,” she said.

As a senior manager at Ciba-Geigy and later through her own firm, O’Neill Consulting, she conducted research with physicians, pharmacists, and patients to better understand healthcare experiences and decision-making. Her work involved developing and implementing research plans, analyzing findings, and providing recommendations to clients, including major pharmaceutical companies.

In 2014, O’Neill began a new chapter as a lecturer in the Professional Writing Program at the University of Maryland, where she teaches science and technical writing. In the classroom, she emphasizes clear communication and practical application, drawing on her experience across research and industry.

Looking back, O’Neill credits Emmanuel with providing both a strong academic foundation and an emphasis on ethics that carried through her career. Faculty members, including Professor of Psychology Carson Johnson, left a lasting impression.

“He was a very ethical person,” she recalled.

That grounding informed her work across fields, where integrity remained a constant—from research to consulting to teaching.

As she prepares to return to campus for her 50th reunion, O’Neill is looking forward to reconnecting with classmates and revisiting a place that helped shape her path.

“I’m looking to see my old friends,” she said.