Current lab members
Postdoctoral Associate
Hobbies: Try new things, travel, enjoy delicious food!
Fun Fact about me: It’s really easy for me to get scared for ANYTHING.
Why neuroscience research? I have always being curious about how our brain works. As I grow older, more and more people that are close to me and my family suffer from neurodegenerative diseases.
Graduate student
(Master of Medical Sciences Neuroscience)
Hobbies: outdoor activities, going to sporting events
Fun fact about me: I was in the Marine Corps for 6 years.
Why neuroscience research? Neurological diseases have impacted many people I care about, so I want to do my part in contributing to research that focuses on neuroprotection.
GATORAADE Postbacc Trainee (Biomedical Neuroscience)
Hobbies: Reading, playing video games, and watching movies.
Fun fact about me: I have three shark tattoos.
Why neuroscience research? I find the brain very interesting because of how impactful it is to our entire lives and how it is connected to so many fields outside of neuroscience.
Undergraduate Student
Major: Psychology- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (BCN)
Year: 3rd
Hobbies: thrifting, hiking, going to concerts, reading
Fun Fact about me: I danced ballet pre-professionally for 13 years!
Why neuroscience research? I am fascinated by the brain and how it shapes cognition and behavior. I have a personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease, which inspired me to learn more about the biological mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and the factors that may influence disease progression. Through neuroscience research, I hope to deepen my understanding of these processes while contributing to research that can ultimately be translated into better ways of preventing, detecting, and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Undergraduate student
Major: Health Sciences
Year: 3rd
Hobbies: Playing Basketball, Biking
Fun Fact about me: I high jumped 6′ 8″ in high school
Why neuroscience research? The brain is the most influential organ in the human body, that makes it the most interesting to me. It also allows for lots of opportunity and creative research methods.
Undergraduate Student
Major: Psychology-BCN; Minor: Early Childhood Studies
Year: 3rd
Hobbies: baking, cooking, pilates, long walks
Fun fact about me: I am originally from Venezuela and moved to the U.S. when I was 7!
Why neuroscience research? After taking AP Psych in high school, I became fascinated with the brain and how it influences behavior. This translated into the major I chose and the kind of research I wanted to be a part of. Through research in neuroscience, I hope to deepen my understanding of neurological conditions while contributing to improve patient care.
Undergraduate Student
Year: 2nd
Undergraduate Student
Major: Psychology – BCN Track
Year: 2nd
Hobbies: photography and reading memoirs/biography and fantasy
Fun fact about me: I lived in Indonesia for 8 years
Why neuroscience research? I’m interested in understanding the complexities of the brain, specifically how memories are formed and cognition.
Undergraduate Student
Major: Psychology-BCN
Year: 4th
Hobbies: painting, crocheting, weightlifting
Fun fact about me: I speak Mandarin Chinese, Sin Hala, and a bit of Spanish, Arabic, and Korean
Why neuroscience research? I was first introduced neuroscience through UF psychology courses and I fell in love with the depth of knowledge and discoveries to be made. The brain is the most vital organ in the human body, yet the least understood aspect of human nature. As an artist and creative, neuroscience has become my canvas to explore different mediums and avenues within research.
Undergraduate Student
Major: Health Science with concentration in Applied Brain Science
Year: Freshman
Hobbies: Dance, DIYs, and doing my nails
Fun Fact about me: I am from Georgia!
Why neuroscience research? I’m excited to study and explore how neural networks in the brain shape a person’s actions, behaviors, and overall life.
Undergraduate Student
Major: Psychology – BCN Track
Year: 3rd
Hobbies: reading, writing, crocheting
Fun fact about me: I’m a Coptic Orthodox Christian.
Why neuroscience research? I want to understand cognition and behavior—why we think and act in unique ways, and how our brain works behind it all!
Undergraduate Student
Major: Biology
Year: Freshman
Hobbies: Creating digital art, reading, and self-study random topics that interest me at 2 AM.
Fun fact about me: I moved to America in 2023 from South Korea! I am fluent in both languages, with a hint of conversational ASL.
Why neuroscience research? I love complex puzzles, and I believe the most sophisticated organ in the human body is the brain. I wish to contribute to the growth and discovery of the wide field-what better way than research?
Undergraduate Student
Major: Biochemistry
Year: Freshman
Undergraduate Student
Major: Health Sciences
Year: 4th
Hobbies: Shopping, spending time with close friends, going on walks around campus
Fun fact about me: I’m from Long Island, NY!
Why neuroscience research? I’m interested in neuroscience research because the brain plays such a huge role in who we are, how we develop, and how we experience the world. I want to learn more about neurological conditions while gaining hands-on research experience that I can carry into my future career.
Lab Alumni
Hailey E. Vasquez, UF undergrad RA. Current Postbacc trainee at Duke University.
Rishi Patel, UF undergrad RA.
Victoria Marquez, UF undergrad RA
Mónica D. Cortés-Soto, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, SNIP2025
Kaleb Friday-Saunders, UF undergrad RA
Arielle Trotz, UF undergrad RA
Jacob Borukhin, UF undergrad RA
Erin Kang, UF undergrad RA
D. Marcela Cuestas Torres, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, 2023-2024
Aura Valter Franco, Kennesaw State undergrad, SNIP2024.
Favour Ebiala, University of Miami undergrad, SNIP2024
Jake Barsch, UF undergrad RA. Currently in Medical School.
Ashmitha (Ash) Satish, UF undergrad RA
Jonah Juergensmeyer, M.S. Graduate student M.S. in Neuroscience Program, 2021-2023
Sophia Moret, UF undergrad RA
Lorena Mesquita Ragonesi, NSU undergrad, SNIP2023. Current PhD student at University of Cincinnati.
Luis Rendon Orozco, University CES, Bogota Colombia, PIENSA summer 2023
Charmi Desai, BS. Research Assistant.
Eden Rickmers, UF undergrad RA
Sam Vilarino, UF undergrad RA
Sheehan Parvez, UF undergrad RA
Eiko Alzamora, UF undergrad RA. Current PhD student, UF Biomedical Engineering Program.
Jillian Murray, Undergrad at the College of Wooster (Wooster, OH), SNIP 2022. Currently Physician Assistant student.
Kazi Farhana Afroz, Ph.D. Graduate student, PhD in Biological Sciences, TTU. Currently Assistant Professor, Middle Georgia State University (Macon, GA).
Rodrigo Tomas, UF Ph.D. student
Tara Iyer, UF undergrad RA
Maria F. Ortega, UF undergrad RA
Malika Allen, Undergrad at Wesleyan College, SNIP 2021
Rachel Gunraj, UF Ph.D. student
Kimberly Goldinak, UF undergrad RA
Mohammad Jodeiri Farshbaf, Ph.D. Graduated from TTU. Currently Research Scientist at New York University (New York, NY).
Amit Kumar Mondal, M.S. Graduated from TTU.
Sagufta Garasia, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. Currently Medical student.
Dominica Moussoki, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. Currently Medical student.
Noah Reyes, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA
Danny Cherkowsky, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA
Jason Peirce, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. Currently Ph.D. student.
Heather Kneisel Blakley, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. MS from Rosalind Franklin University
Justin Blakley, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. MS from University of North Texas. Currently Medical student.
Alyssa Patterson, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA
Bridgette Kerr BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. Currently Ph.D. student.
Fabiola Arzate BS, TTU Undergraduate RA
Hao Nguyen, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. MS from University of Texas Austin
Kajal Parikh, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA. Currently Medical student.
Varsha Misra, BS, TTU Undergraduate RA
