Postdoctoral researcher

Elizabeth completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) studying the brain mechanisms underlying choice behavior during emotional memories. Her research interests include decision-making, emotion, motivation, and social behavior. She is also involved in science communication in Mexico through Emisión Sináptica, a radio program that brings neuroscience to general audiences. During her free time, she likes reading books, watching movies, and biking.

Postdoctoral scholar

Jose is a recent recipient of his PhD in neuroscience from the University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus where he studied sex differences in amygdala and hippocampal function after global cerebral ischemia. Prior to graduate school, Jose obtained his BS in cellular/molecular biology and MS in biology from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is excited to study the amygdala and its role in pro-social behaviors throughout his postdoctoral appointment in the Padilla-Coreano lab at UFL.

Collaborator, PhD student with Hulcr Lab

Christopher is a PhD student with degrees in Forestry, Data Science, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Biology. Although his responsibilities are often more orientated to data and software management, Christopher's true research interests include genomics, geometric deep learning, and synthetic biology. When he is not playing with computational models, he likes to play rugby or pick up heavy things and put them back down again.

Lab manager

Meghan graduated from MIT in 2019 with a BS in Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Philosophy. She is passionate about the neuroscience behind mental health and social wellbeing and is excited to expand her knowledge of optogenetics and electrophysiology. When she is not poking at brains, she likes to meditate, practice yoga, and hit things (rugby, boxing, muay thai, etc.)!

Lab research assistant

Tyler graduated with a BS in Neuroscience in 2021 and an MS in Applied Cognition & Neuroscience in 2023 from The University of Texas at Dallas, where they led two human research projects in an addiction lab. Passionate about studying complex/intrinsic motivation and non-physical reward in social contexts, Tyler plans to soon start their PhD. Outside the lab, Tyler enjoys podcasts, exploring nature, and watching low-budget movies with their wife.

PhD student

Sequioa obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Sam Houston State University in 2023. During their undergraduate studies, they completed a thesis titled "Evaluation of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 (mGluR5) Antagonist 2-Methyl-6(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) for Potential Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects in a Model of Treatment-Resistant Depression." The thesis aimed to explore new treatments for anxiety and treatment-resistant depression. Sequioa is now a first-year Neuroscience Ph.D. student who is passionate about deepening their expertise in optogenetics, programming, and electrophysiology. In their free time, Sequioa enjoys spending time with family, walking their chihuahua named Chula, and traveling.

Master’s student

Leo has programmed and analyzed data for labs researching metagenomics for agriculture or neuroimaging for motor degenerative disease. His goal is to learn how machine learning and the neuroscience of decision making can offer insights to each other. He is a beginner at bouldering, meditating, and salsa dancing but nonetheless enjoys them outside the lab!

Research Technician

Caroline is a Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience undergraduate (class of 2024) from Brazil. She is passionate about neuroscience, teaching, and the power of empathy and compassion in improving care and well-being. Through her clinic volunteering, she has become especially interested in studying neurological and developmental disorders, mood disorders, and social behaviors. In her free time, Caroline loves gluten-free cooking and trying out different yoga styles.

Undergraduate researcher

Aidan is a third-year undergraduate expecting to graduate in May 2024 with a B.S. in Mathematics and Biochemistry. He hopes to then matriculate into an M.D./Ph.D. program focusing his graduate work in neuroscience and specializing in either psychiatry or neurology. In his free time Aidan enjoys reading, cooking, and playing sports.

Undergraduate researcher

Albert is a Biomedical Engineering major at the University of Florida. He plans to graduate in the Spring of 2025 and pursue a PhD in BME focused on neuro-engineering. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and playing music. Fun fact: Albert’s parents met at UF and named him after the UF mascot.

Undergraduate researcher

Aarna is a first year Biomedical Engineering major on the pre-med track. She plans to graduate May 2027 and pursue medical school. She's especially interested in studying the intersection of neuroscience and AI in medical technology. In her free time she enjoys playing piano, reading, walking and baking.

Undergraduate researcher

Charles is a first-year medical physics student, but it may change in the coming semester. He is expected to graduate in the spring of 2027 and hopes to enroll in an M.D./Ph.D. program. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, playing chess, watching movies, and gaming. Fun fact: He has been interested in neuroscience since a young age because his mother has worked at UF studying neurodegenerative diseases.

Undergraduate researcher

Ayush is a rising second-year Biochemistry and Economics student, set to graduate in May 2027. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine, possibly through a dual-degree MD/MBA or MD/PhD program. He is particularly interested in medical innovation, especially in neuroscience. In the lab, Ayush is fascinated by the use of optogenetics, chemogenetics, and ephys to manipulate and understand neural circuits. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching soccer, watching documentaries, teaching, and is currently finishing up EMT school.

Undergraduate researcher

Andrea is a student at the University of Florida who plans to graduate in 2027 with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in English. She has always been passionate about learning, and found a passion in neuroscience once she realized that the brain is the center of everything. She hopes to continue challenging herself by learning about the magic and complexities of the human body, but while her passions lie in the fields of STEM, she is a firm believer that life without art is meaningless. In her free time, you can find her either dancing, reading, writing poetry, arranging flowers, or spending time with her family and friends, whom she loves very much!

Undergraduate researcher

Nayla is a first-year Neuroscience and Statistics student, planning to pursue medicine as MD or MD/PhD. She is excited and passionate about the brain and how its structure and function dictates the human psyche. In the lab, she is interested in understanding neural circuitry through electrophysiology and fiber photometry, especially to measure dopamine expression. In her free time, she loves to paint, play the oboe, dance, and watch basketball.

Undergraduate researcher

Anastasia is a first year Mathematics student on the pre-med track. She has been interested in neuroscience for many years, specifically to explore the connectivity between neural processes and cognitive conditions, and to apply computational models to enhance understanding. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, violin, and gaming.

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