Previous Institutions: Carnegie Mellon University
What are you studying: Ph.D in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I am a third-year graduate student part of the Neuroengineering Initiative at Rice. I am interested in better understanding function and disorders of the brain. My research group studies learning and memory in the hippocampus through imaging and electrical recording methods in freely behaving rodent models. I was born and raised in Eastside San Jose, California on the outskirts of Silicon Valley.

My parents are both public high school math and science educators, teaching for over 25 years, I am the youngest of four siblings, and I am of Mexican heritage. Through attending undergrad at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, I discovered the fascinating field of Neuroengineering which lies at the intersection of Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, and aims to use technology and engineering tools to understand, repair, and augment the brain. As a graduate student at Rice, in my free time I enjoy cooking, exploring the parks around Houston, participating in local run clubs, and socializing with friends at weekly trivia.

Fun Fact:

I used to be on a synchronized figure skating team.

Favorite thing about Rice:

The campus is beautiful all year round!

Favorite thing about Houston:

The diversity of people and activities. There is a niche for everyone!

Why did you decide to go to grad school?

To contribute to impactful neuroscience research and be the first in my family with a Ph.D.!