Sarah Hillenbrand

Sarah Hillenbrand is a Term Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, where she also serves as Program Director for the new interdisciplinary Neuroscience major. Her work integrates cognitive neuroscience research with innovative pedagogy and science communication to foster neurodiversity-centered education and social justice.

Education

• PhD in Neuroscience, University of California, Berkeley (2015)
• Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science, Alliant International University (2021)
• BA in Neuroscience, Philosophy, and Spanish Area Studies, Kenyon College (2007)

Research & Scholarly Focus

Dr. Hillenbrand’s research lies at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, human motor learning, and science communication. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, she has explored how prior knowledge and physiological signals shape decision-making and motor adaptation. At USF she channels these insights into curriculum design that foregrounds neurodiversity and equitable learning environments.

Selected Awards

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2010–2013)

Teaching & Mentorship

Before joining USF, Dr. Hillenbrand taught neuroscience, scientific writing, and storytelling in Stanford University’s Thinking Matters program and later developed science-communication courses in Stanford’s Program in Writing and Rhetoric. She also designed and taught psychology, social-justice, and college-readiness curricula in Bay Area high schools. At USF she mentors undergraduate students while directing the development of the new neuroscience major.

Laboratory & Program Leadership

As founding Program Director of USF’s interdisciplinary Neuroscience major, she leads a cross-college initiative that integrates psychology, biology, data science, and social justice frameworks to create inclusive pathways for students from all backgrounds.