Scott Cutler (NEURO ’26) leans over a brain model in Dr. Brown’s neuroanatomy class, tracing the curves of the cerebral cortex with a practiced finger. Here, Cutler is engaging with medicine in action, pouring over small case studies in order to piece together diagnoses. As he works, Cutler feels a surge of certainty. Nothing brings him alive like science does; he is confident that he’s exactly where he needs to be. “I thought to myself, ‘Yes, I’m on the right track,’” he says. “This is an area where I can do real good.”
The conviction is personal, as Cutler was born with cerebral palsy and has an intimate understanding of the medical system. That understanding has instilled within him a unique empathy and sense of compassion that makes him incredibly well suited to the role of physician. “I plan on specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation,” he explains. “I want to help stroke patients or people with traumatic brain injuries rebuild their lives. I want to be the first face they see when they start to get better, the one that says, ‘Okay, let’s get you back.’”
That drive to translate knowledge into tangible patient care carries into Cutler’s research; in Dr. Stay’s vestibular lab, he applies his curiosity and compassion to finding solutions that give patients relief. Cutler is currently focusing on the vestibulo-ocular reflex—the system that stabilizes our eyes while we move. He works with mice in experiments that challenge their senses, where the animal’s body spins one way while their visual surroundings move another, forcing their reflexes to adapt.
“We’re looking at how these reflexes change across different axes of rotation—vertical, horizontal, and combinations of the two,” Cutler explains. “The goal is to better understand vestibular dysfunction, conditions like vertigo or Mal de Débarquement syndrome, where people feel constantly off balance, almost seasick, even when they’re standing still.” By unraveling these reflexes, Cutler hopes to better understand how the cerebellum and the vestibular system in the inner ear work, ultimately helping patients reclaim stability.
Working in the lab has been rewarding on multiple levels for Cutler, providing him not only with a chance to advance patient care but also invaluable learning experiences. “The professors and students I’ve worked with have been incredible,” he says. “Dr. Stay, in particular, always makes sure our work is grounded in a clear purpose. We isolate variables, test them, and figure out what’s really causing something by systematically ruling out other possibilities. It’s what I love about medicine—it allows me to apply this methodical approach to actually improving people’s lives.”
Just as he tackles research in the lab, Cutler tackles the medical school application process with equal care and intentionality. “I’ve already submitted my applications and am moving through the process step by step,” he says cheerfully. Cutler credits his incredible family and his relationship with God for the guidance and support he’s received. “I’m really grateful for the support my wife has given me. She has been incredible,” he says, “and of course working with the brain has been very testimony-building for me, since the hand of God can so clearly be seen in the human body and nervous system.” Cutler’s first spark of certainty in the classroom has blossomed into a purposeful mission, one that is centered on helping patients restore their health and independence.