Olivia Theiring

About

I'm a motivated and enthusiastic graduating third-year Biological Sciences student at the University of California, Irvine. I have a strong interest in neurobiology, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience research, especially the neural mechanisms underlying human behavior and cognition. I'm eager to continue building my skills in collaborative, research-focused environments.

Currently serving as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Dr. Chrastil's Spatial Neuroscience Lab, where I work with functional neuroimaging (MRI), data analysis, and contribute to studies investigating the neural and behavioral factors underlying individual differences in spatial navigation.

Outside of academics, I enjoy spending my free time dancing on the MCIA dance team, playing the piano, hanging out with friends, and playing video games with my brothers.

University

UC Irvine

Degree

B.S. Biological Sciences

Concentration

Neurobiology

Research Lab

Chrastil Spatial Neuroscience Lab

Study Abroad

University of Sussex

Location

Huntington Beach, California

Research & Experience

Poster Presentation May 2026 · UROP Symposium

Improving Spatial Learning Through Local and Global Strategies

UC Irvine Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Symposium

Presented original research examining how different learning strategies shape spatial navigation and memory. Using an immersive virtual-reality maze, the study investigated whether local (landmark-based) and global (layout-based) strategies help individuals learn and navigate an environment more effectively than having no explicit strategy.

Through a series of navigation and pointing tasks, the study measured wayfinding success, angular error, and path efficiency, while analyzing exploration behavior to understand how strategy use shapes spatial learning. The goal: to determine whether explicit strategies that build landmark associations and topological connections can enhance navigation performance and strengthen the acquisition of detailed graph and survey knowledge. Conducted in the Spatial Neuroscience Lab under mentor Daisy Vargas and faculty advisor Dr. Chrastil.

Olivia Theiring presenting her research poster at the UROP Symposium — Presenting at the symposium

Research poster: Improving Spatial Learning Through Local and Global Strategies — The research poster

Virtual Reality Spatial Cognition Experimental Design Eye Tracking Data Analysis Poster Presentations Scientific Communication

Sep 2025 — Present

Undergraduate Research Assistant

UCI Spatial Neuroscience Lab · UC Irvine Irvine, California

Investigating neural and behavioral factors underlying individual differences in spatial navigation.
Developing and presenting a scientific poster on spatial navigation and local versus global learning strategies at the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Assisting with fMRI data collection, adhering to safety protocols and high-quality imaging standards.
Preprocessing neuroimaging data, including motion correction and quality checks, to support research reliability.
Contributing to data organization, statistical analysis, and interpretation for ongoing research studies.

Research Skills Lab Results Interpretation Functional Neuroimaging Poster Presentations MRI Data Analysis Neurobiology Data Collection R (Programming Language) Presentation Skills

Jun 2024 — Sep 2024

Server

Olive Garden Cerritos, California

Efficiently managed multiple tables during peak hours with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient workflow and positive guest experiences.
Strengthened communication and conflict-resolution skills in a fast-paced environment.

Customer Service Skilled Multi-tasker

Education

Aug 2023 — Jun 2026

University of California, Irvine GPA 3.7 Dean's List

Bachelor of Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, General · Concentration in Neurobiology Irvine, CA

Research Assistant at Dr. Chrastil Spatial Neuroscience Lab.
Member, Nu Rho Psi: National Honor Society in Neuroscience.
Dedicated member of MCIA Dance Team throughout undergraduate studies, demonstrating discipline, teamwork, and time management.

Scientific Writing Data Collection CRISPR Research Skills Neurobiology Neurophysiology Histochemistry Optogenetics Behavioral Neuroscience Lab Results Interpretation Clinical Trials EEG Data Analysis Microsoft Excel Research Ethics Presentation Skills Laboratory Skills Electrocardiography (EKG) Electromyography (EMG) Dynamometry Spirometry

Jun 2025 — Aug 2025

University of Sussex

Physics · Study Abroad Program Falmer, England

Completed an intensive 8-week study abroad physics program requiring algebra, trigonometry, and differential and integral calculus.
Conducted physics experiments using scientific instrumentation in a laboratory setting, maintaining detailed records of observations and results.
Applied mathematical modeling and quantitative analysis to interpret experimental data and produce technical reports.
Strengthened analytical thinking and problem-solving skills through advanced lecture coursework and hands-on lab experiments.

Data Collection Data Analysis Lab Results Interpretation Microsoft Excel Laboratory Skills Mathematics Calculus

Selected Coursework

Brain Disorders and Behavior

Bio Sci N165

Introduction to Neuroscience Clinical Trials

Bio Sci N117

Human Physiology

Bio Sci E109

Neurobiology Laboratory

Bio Sci N113L

Neurobiology and Behavior

Bio Sci N110

Neurobiology of Learning & Memory

Bio Sci N158

Scientific Writing

Bio Sci 100

Vision

Bio Sci N182

Physiology Lab

Bio Sci E112L

About

Research & Experience

Improving Spatial Learning Through Local and Global Strategies

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Server

Education

University of California, Irvine GPA 3.7 Dean's List

University of Sussex

Selected Coursework

Skills & Expertise

Neuroscience

Research & Lab

Tools & Tech

Beyond the Lab