Marissa Brigger loves all things neurology and this spring she’s graduating with both an associate of science and an associate of arts degree. She hopes to get into medical school and become a neurosurgeon, specializing in pediatrics.  

But Brigger began her LCCC journey as a business major. It wasn’t until Brigger took the very first anatomy class LCCC instructor Robin Dahman taught, that she decided to change course. And at Dahman’s suggestion.  

“I’m watching this student thrive and just want to soak everything in,” Dahman said. “When we got to stuff about the nervous system, you saw her just light up.” 

Dahman approached Brigger about her future career and asked her to talk about what she loves. 

“I’m fascinated by the brain and the nervous system, specifically the cranial nerves,” Brigger says. 

After a lot of thought, Brigger switched majors and dove into the sciences. She began working on a research project at Case Western Reserve University, alongside another LCCC instructor, studying the vagus nerve, also known as cranial nerve X.   

“This nerve is responsible for a lot of our bodily functions, it handles digestion for example,” Brigger says. “It’s really exciting to be part of this project and to get experiences that are usually reserved for students in med school.” 

This opportunity was the result of one honest conversation with a professor who’s become a mentor for life for Brigger. 

“I am the potential roadblock to their career or the potential catapult to their career. And I don’t take that lightly,” Dahman said. 

Brigger plans to continue her research at Case while she works toward her next degree -- a bachelor of science in neuroscience from Baldwin Wallace University. She chose BW, in part, because of its close proximity to home, Case, and LCCC. Brigger is a teaching assistant for Dahman and would like to continue teaching and mentoring students even after she graduates.

"I'm definitely not done at LCCC," she said. "I love the opportunity to give back to the students here, and to give them the attention and guidance that I was shown. Maybe one day I can come back as a professor."