Brain and behavioral sciences student creates healing notes in connecting passions for the brain, global health and music

Written By: Rebecca Hoffa, rhoffa@purdue.edu 

Mia Schmetter(Photo provided)

From the moment Mia Schmetter’s grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the young girl knew she wanted to study the human brain. Schmetter, now a junior studying brain and behavioral sciences in the Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences, saw the impact of the neurodegenerative disease not only on her grandmother but also in the weight it placed on her parents as caregivers, which drove her into the psychology realm. 

“I think that was the driving factor of me trying to understand not only what was happening with her but also what was happening with my family,” Schmetter said. “I wanted to understand how I could help people who not only had a neurodegenerative disease but also the families.” 

For Schmetter, the mathematical and science applications of the brain and behavioral sciences curriculum within the College of Health and Human Sciences drew her to the major, preparing her well for her next giant leap toward medical school. 

“Brain and behavioral sciences is the perfect mixture of neuroscience and psychology,” Schmetter explained. 

Musana Health Center in Uganda(Photo provided)

Beyond the classroom, Schmetter is passionate about global health care, and she spent the summer in Uganda as an intern with Musana Community Development Organization, an organization that works to empower Ugandans through work in education, economic development and health. In her internship, Schmetter focused on the organization’s health pillar and was able to shadow pharmacists, nurses, midwives and doctors who were working to provide care at an affordable cost.  

“It’s been the most influential event of my life so far,” Schmetter said. “Looking back, it was definitely life-changing for me. Those experiences have shaped where I want to go. It was great learning from people who are so passionate about providing for their families and fellow Ugandans.” 

Beyond her interests in medicine, Schmetter is a passionate musician, playing violin as part of the Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra. Schmetter has also volunteered in hospice and assisted living facilities to share her love of music with older individuals, including those who are struggling with the same neurodegenerative disease that affected her grandmother. 

“I played for one woman who had Alzheimer’s, and it was the coolest thing to watch,” Schmetter said. “I played songs from her childhood. She used to go to baseball games, so I played ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game,’ and she got up and started dancing. It was like a completely different woman. Music had that effect.” 

One day, Schmetter hopes to integrate music in her passion for patient care, but for now, she’s simply using it as her own form of safe space. Schmetter also spreads her enthusiasm for music through her nonprofit, InstruMentors, which she founded in January 2020. The organization enhances the music education system in Colorado — Schmetter’s home state — by tutoring middle school students in a variety of musical instruments. Schmetter plays more than 10 instruments for which she is able to provide lessons. 

Schmetter plays violin with the Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra.(Photo provided)

“It’s a really nice service for me to provide because I’m so passionate about music, so being able to share that is really fun,” Schmetter said. 

As an undergraduate, Schmetter has also gained interdisciplinary research experience, working with Alexander Francis, professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences, as both a research assistant and for her capstone project through the John Martinson Honors College. Her project focuses on the relationship between an individual’s cognition, which can be impaired through conditions like dementia, and their balance. 

“Mia is a focused and highly organized student with a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed,” Francis said. “She has continued to work on the same project and has identified a small piece to take on as her own honors capstone project. To get this far, Mia has worked independently to better understand the theoretical questions that we are attempting to address, which center around the health and well-being of older adults with hearing impairment, especially factors that might increase their risk of falling. I am confident that she will continue to develop research skills as we move forward with this project.”  

After she graduates with her bachelor’s degree, Schmetter hopes to pursue a master’s degree in neuroscience before earning her medical degree. Schmetter said she is interested in becoming an OB-GYN.  

In the meantime, Schmetter is continuing to advance her perspective on health around the world, from her internship experiences to her work as an executive board member with the Purdue Caduceus Club. 

“I have a passion for global health and trying to understand how to learn from other countries’ health care practices,” Schmetter said. “It’s interesting how much we can learn from people in other countries.”