Neural Scientist Training Program Fellows
Meet the current fellows chosen for the O'Donnell Brain Institute Neural Scientist Training Program (NSTP). The NSTP supports exceptional trainees who are pursuing scientific careers focused on nervous system function including the translation of fundamental insights into novel therapeutics. Learn more about the program and how to apply.
Research: I am working on identifying human-evolved molecular features by focusing on epigenome and transcriptome at cellular resolution and assessing their possible involvement in psychiatric diseases. To this end, I am analyzing single-nucleus RNA-seq and single-nucleus ATAC-seq datasets across human, chimpanzee, and macaque gray matter cortical regions collected in our laboratory.
Why did you apply to be an NSTP fellow? I believe this program will enable me to think more accurately and deeply about one of my research goals: understanding the link between human brain evolution and psychiatric diseases. While the existence of this link is established, we are missing a detailed understanding which requires deep insight in both human evolution and psychiatric diseases.
Emre CaglayanNeuroscience Ph.D. Candidate, Konopka Lab
Research: I engineer novel adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene delivery and gene editing applications geared towards the central nervous system using a combination of in-silico, in-vitro, and in-vivo methodologies. I am particularly interested in how the brain changes at a molecular level precisely at the cell surface during different stages in life. Understanding the basic science behind the brain's molecular composition has the potential to engineer and translate novel AAV vectors for gene therapy in the CNS.
Why did you apply to be an NSTP fellow? The Neural Scientist Training Program creates a unique environment to work with first-rate scientists, share my ongoing work with experts in a wide range of neuroscience topics, and receive guidance from some of the best mentors UT Southwestern has to offer. I believed that this would be a program that could seriously support me during graduate school and beyond, and so far, it's exceeded my expectations.
Irvin T. GarzaNeuroscience Ph.D. Candidate, Gray and Bailey Labs
Research: My lab studies song learning in zebra finches, a species of songbird, as a model for speech and language disorders in humans. I am currently developing song analysis tools that will make it easier to compare song disruptions in birds with different genetic manipulations, which mimic genetic speech and language disorders found in humans.
Why did you apply to be an NSTP fellow? I liked that the NSTP program offers additional mentorship opportunities, particularly with a clinical and translational focus. Through this program, I hope to get more first-hand knowledge of how various speech disorders present in human patients and use this to inform the song analysis methods I develop.
Therese KochNeuroscience Ph.D. Candidate, Roberts Lab
Research: I use mouse models to study brain circuits in the cerebellum that mediate social and feeding behaviors. This can aid the development of more effective treatments for autism and eating disorders.
Why did you apply to be an NSTP fellow? The program offers the opportunity to receive mentorship from accomplished scientists and build academic relationships. By providing the space to share ideas and connect with other neuroscience students and faculty, I believe being part of this initiative will greatly support my scientific career journey.
Andrea Pineda SanchezNeuroscience Ph.D. Candidate, Tsai Lab
Research:I hope to become a physician-scientist who studies neurodegenerative diseases from a biophysical perspective.
Why did you apply to be an NSTP fellow? I believe that the combination of research excellence and clinical expertise at UT Southwestern, and the individualized mentorship provided by the O’Donnell Brain Institute Mentoring Committee will provide an ideal environment to pursue a physician-scientist career.
Cyrus RastegarMedical Scientist Training Program
Research:In the Douglas lab we study traumatic brain injury using both mouse and worm models of mechanical trauma. Using these models, we have discovered that a particular group of neurons, dopaminergic neurons, are much more sensitive to mechanical stress compared to other neurons. My thesis project aims to understand why dopaminergic neurons are so sensitive so we can develop therapeutics preventing degeneration of dopaminergic neurons following traumatic brain injury.
Why did you apply to be an NSTP fellow? The NSTP program allows me to learn from the current leaders in neuroscience and understand what it takes to become one.
Kielen ZuurbierMolecular Biology Ph.D. Candidate, Douglas Lab