Minerva Contreras

I am a third year Neurosciences PhD student. I completed my B.S. in Biotechnology Engineering at Universidad Autónoma de Quéretaro, México. I discovered my passion for glia biology when I joined the Bhat Lab as an undergrad for an internship at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center studying glioblastoma. I understood then the fundamental role of glia in regulating functions of the brain. I joined the Allen lab at the Salk Institute through UC San Diego Neurosciences Graduate Program. My work in the Allen lab focuses on activity-regulated genes in astrocytes and their modulatory role in synaptic plasticity. Outside of the lab, I am passionate about mentoring undergrads belonging to historically underrepresented minorities in their pursuit to graduate education. Additionally, I help make science available for non-scientific audiences, with emphasis on the Hispanic community. In the future, I hope to contribute new knowledge to the field enabling exploration of new therapies for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases, as well as continue to support and inspire underrepresented minorities in STEM.