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Chloe Britton Naime ’25 is about to complete a challenging and rare dual major program in both mechanical engineering from the and neuroscience from the .

Even more impressive? Britton Naime will conclude the rigorous dual major in four years instead of the customary five years, which is “one of the biggest reasons I wanted to attend Syracuse,” says Britton Naime, who will begin their Ph.D. program in neuroscience at Florida State University in the fall.

It’s the latest chapter in Britton Naime’s lifelong love affair with learning. Specifically, studying why their brain functions differently as a neurodivergent individual who struggled to read—Britton Naime was diagnosed as dyslexic at the age of 8. They have also finally been diagnosed with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“I remember thinking, ‘why does my brain work differently than everyone else? Why is this task much more challenging for me?’” says Britton Naime, who is graduating summa cum laude and is a member of the .

“I’m interested in how we can improve our diagnostics, but I’m also interested in what treatments or interventions can be done,” Britton Naime says. “Figuring out what can help support meeting this individual’s needs. Figuring out the possibilities and how we can continue to improve the outcomes for neurodivergent people.”

Changing the Narrative

Britton Naime considers themselves honored to have a strong support system, including their mother, Katrina Britton, who encouraged self-advocacy at an early age. But knowing not everyone who is neurodivergent has these advocates has fueled Britton Naime’s career aspirations.

As a peer coach in the physics department, Britton Naime engages with students with an accommodation from the Center for Disability Resources to ensure the student’s needs are being met. If a student needs accommodations but doesn’t have them, Britton Naime will make sure the student understands the resources available to them on campus.

“When I have a place where I can advocate for someone, I take that opportunity. Thankfully, Syracuse University provides a great infrastructure for supporting students with disabilities,” Britton Naime says.

Britton Naime is also an undergraduate research assistant in the —which conducts behavioral and neurophysiological research to understand how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

Through lab studies focused on measuring and recording the brain’s electrical activity, Britton Naime says the CARE Lab’s work represents progress in reducing the historically negative stigma around autistic individuals.

“The CARE Lab focuses on the strengths and capabilities of our autistic population and identifies the reasons why they’re s쳮ding at something. It’s really rewarding work,” says Britton Naime, who also did a Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship at the University of British Columbia in the Baby Learning Lab with Lauren Emberson, Ph.D.

How Syracuse University Laid the Foundation for What’s Next

The technical skills Britton Naime learned through the mechanical engineering program, including as a data processor, helped accentuate their work as a neuroscientist, specifically when it comes to processing and interpreting the neuroimaging data to comprehend how brain activity relates to our behavior, cognition and mental processes.

The foundational nature of the mechanical engineering program also allowed Britton Naime to seek out the aspects they wanted to learn more about as they honed and built up their skills as a researcher.

At Florida State, Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with ADHD to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates.

By gaining a deeper understanding of how neurodivergent brains function—particularly through the use of neuroimaging technology—Britton Naime aims not only to improve quality of life through enhanced diagnosis and tailored interventions, but also to help unlock the full potential of individuals whose strengths may be overlooked in systems built for neurotypical learners. Their research challenges deficit-based narratives and seeks to reframe how success and capability are understood in academic and developmental contexts.

“I hope to be a professor and have my own lab where I can produce quality research related to this topic. But I also want to continue serving as a vocal advocate for my community,” Britton Naime says. “Syracuse prepared me to go to grad school and to go into this industry, which is important because I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I had all these avenues available and received the support I needed to go down this path.”