People
Natali L. Chanaday R. (Nati)
I grew up in Argentina and obtained a PhD in Chemistry at the National University of Cordoba (Argentina). I then did a postdoctoral training in molecular neuroscience in the US (Texas and Tennessee). I joined the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. I am fascinated by neurons and want to understand how they maintain and remodel the molecular composition of different compartments to sustain neurotransmission, with a special focus on synaptic vesicles.
Hobbies: crafting, sketching, knitting, reading a lot (especially science fiction), cooking (particularly desserts) and doing experiments in the lab!
Favorite quotes:
“No mere handful of humans can stand against hunger or cold or the inimicality of the environment; only together, mutually aiding, can they survive.”
“Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.”
— Ursula K. Le Guin
A. Alejandro Vilcaes (Ale)
I am a molecular biologist interested in understanding cellular communication. Interactions between lipids and proteins are critical for this process. Here, I work on trafficking of extracellular vesicles in neurons. Also, I study the role of the glycolipid lipid metabolism on neurotransmission. In Argentina, my research focuses on lipid metabolism in tumor cells.
Hobbies: origami
Robbie T. Moul
I received a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a bachelor's degree in science with a major in neuroscience from Lebanon Valley College, PA, in 2022. I then received a Fulbright Student Grant to conduct research at the Research Centre for Natural Sciences Institute of Organic Chemistry in Budapest, Hungary. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where I am specifically interested in neurochemistry research.
Hobbies: Roller skating, kayaking, and hiking
Eve Gautreaux
I received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with minor in Biology, from Louisiana State University in 2021. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.
More info coming soon…
Miguel Angel Huerta
I am an undergraduate research student from New York. I first began my research journey in high school where I investigated the relationship between music and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Now, I am researching compensatory mechanisms found in neurons and their roles in preserving Ca2+ in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Hobbies: Running, performing music, watching video essays
Favorite quotes: "He buys expensive clothing and beautiful luggage, upon which he has the words Repisce Finem embroidered" ― Leo Tolstoy
Victoria Hannett
I received my bachelor's degree in Neurobiology from Georgetown University in 2024. I am currently pursuing a Master's in Biotechnology here at Penn, with a particular interest in drug development, discovery, and delivery. In my independent project, I am investigating the molecular mechanism by which extracellular vesicles are incorporated into neurons and transported to axons.
Hobbies: reading, baking, listening to music
Alumni
here is all the wonderful people who moved on to the next step
Jahleel D. Torres Pérez — University of Puerto Rico
Psychology Undergraduate Student at University of Puerto Rico.
2023 Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP) student.
Jiangnan (Violet) Xiao — University of Connecticut
2022-2024: Master in Biotechnology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Now a graduate student in the Physiology & Neurobiology graduate program at the University of Connecticut.
Favorite quote: "I was smart enough to go through any door that opened" ― Joan Rivers
Nicole Kujas — University of Miami
B.S in Biochemistry and Nutrition; Minors in Dance and Psychology - The University of Miami | Class of 2025.
2024 Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP) student.
Tessa C. Fitch — University of Pennsylvania
B.S in Biology from the University of Denver; now pursuing a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology at UPenn.
2024 Rotation student.