ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND CAREER GOALS

My focus is on deepening my interests and skills in neuroscience from a biomedical point of view. I want to positively impact major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as depression, by developing innovative strategies to address ineffective and untreated minority populations.

My personal story is quite unique; my older sister and I permanently moved to the US seeking political asylum and better scholastic opportunities 17 years ago, at the ages of 16 and 15, respectively. Without parents physically present with us, assimilating a new culture and language was extremely difficult. Even with limited access to academic programs at the time, the expectation of academic success was (and still is) imperative. Yet, our drive, and intellect; combined with our unique form of resilience, and grit helped us succeed. As my experiences in the field of biological/biomedical science grew and matured, so did my intuitiveness. I started to question: Was my resilience and grit a genetic advantage? Therefore, I continue to dedicate decades of my academic pursuit in research to understand molecular and genetic mechanisms with the goal of potentially developing innovative strategies to use in unique behavioral and medical therapeutics.

I joined biomedical sciences at Florida State University (FSU) because I knew this Ph.D. program would allow me to further develop my interests and skills in neuroscience, while also grounding me solidly in a human disease-focused curriculum. The biomedical science department has scientists whose research focus and background intersect mine with a strong history of collegiality. Importantly, the department has funding available for entire my Ph.D. training. I selected this program because I felt that I will be supported academically. I connected with my principal investigator right away, Dr. Gregg Stanwood welcomed me to his laboratory since day 1. His comprehensive mentorship style combined with his background in neuropharmacology and research interest in the neurodevelopmental basis of brain disorders, with an emphasis on gene-environment interactions and susceptibility to mental health diseases was unmatched. Moreover, I choose FSU because of the school’s proximity to my family who lives in South Florida.

My thesis is titled “Regulation of Mood by Interneuron Dopamine D1 Receptors”. Major depressive disorder (MDD) could become the next global burden due to current environmental stressors. However, most existing drug treatments for depression focus on the neurotransmitter serotonin. Previous studies have also found important roles for the neurotransmitter dopamine in regulating moods. Therefore, to address the need for more efficient treatment of MDD, we have to shift our attention to target dopamine receptors, specifically dopamine D1 receptors expressed on cerebral cortical interneurons. My dissertation combines neurodevelopmental, cellular, and behavioral approaches to examine the neurochemical regulation of that neuronal subpopulation which contributes to stress responses in the nervous system, but also may represent a key brain mechanism of resiliency. These results will allow us to develop better innovative strategies to use in the development of new and unique behavioral and medical therapeutics for the treatment of major depressive disorder. My ultimate goal is to address the need for novel neurotherapeutics by identifying a new therapeutic target that will inevitably lead to a new innovative strategy for developing more efficient therapeutics for MDD.

Upon the completion of my Ph.D., I intend to pursue an academic career, teaching and researching neurobiology and developmental biology to have a better understanding of mechanisms involved in mood disorders, particularly in subpopulations of patients of minority and underprivileged backgrounds who do not respond effectively to treatments. In addition, I am confident that I belong in a career in academia due to my strong teaching and mentorship background and strong interest in student development. Ultimately, my life’s work is to inspire a new generation of neuroscientists, particularly students of underprivileged and minority women of color.