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Fabricio H. Do Monte, DVM, PhD.
Fabricio H. Do Monte, DVM, PhD.
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator
Dr. Do Monte received his bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine from Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina in Brazil (2002), and his master’s and PhD degrees (general pharmacology and neuropharmacology) from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil (2006 and 2010), investigating the neural mechanisms regulating the expression of aversive memories. As a postdoctoral trainee in Dr. Gregory Quirk’s lab at the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Do Monte investigated the neural circuits involved in the retrieval and extinction of fear memories. He became an Assistant Professor in the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in December 2016, and was promoted to Associate Professor in September 2024. Dr. Do Monte’s hobbies include playing soccer and chess, watching movies, walking his dog, and traveling to exotic destinations.
Dr. Do Monte received his bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine from Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina in Brazil (2002), and his master’s and PhD degrees (general pharmacology and neuropharmacology) from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil (2006 and 2010), investigating the neural mechanisms regulating the expression of aversive memories. As a postdoctoral trainee in Dr. Gregory Quirk’s lab at the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Do Monte investigated the neural circuits involved in the retrieval and extinction of fear memories. He became an Assistant Professor in the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in December 2016, and was promoted to Associate Professor in September 2024. Dr. Do Monte’s hobbies include playing soccer and chess, watching movies, walking his dog, and traveling to exotic destinations.
Guillermo Aquino-Miranda, PhD.
Guillermo Aquino-Miranda, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Guillermo Aquino-Miranda received his bachelor degree in Psychology from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) of Mexico, and his master’s degree in Neurobiology from Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN) of Mexico. Guillermo completed his PhD training in Biological Sciences in Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City. His PhD thesis focused on understanding the interactions between dopaminergic and histaminergic systems in the prefrontal cortex using a rat model of schizophrenia. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Do Monte Lab, Guillermo investigates how corticothalamic circuits regulate decision-making processes by using optogenetics and electrophysiological recordings in freely behaving animals. While not in the lab, he enjoys running and exercising outdoors, reading novels, and watching baseball games.
Dr. Guillermo Aquino-Miranda received his bachelor degree in Psychology from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) of Mexico, and his master’s degree in Neurobiology from Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN) of Mexico. Guillermo completed his PhD training in Biological Sciences in Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City. His PhD thesis focused on understanding the interactions between dopaminergic and histaminergic systems in the prefrontal cortex using a rat model of schizophrenia. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Do Monte Lab, Guillermo investigates how corticothalamic circuits regulate decision-making processes by using optogenetics and electrophysiological recordings in freely behaving animals. While not in the lab, he enjoys running and exercising outdoors, reading novels, and watching baseball games.
Thays Brenner dos Santos, PhD.
Thays Brenner dos Santos, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Thays Brenner dos Santos received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil and her master’s and PhD degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience from the same institution. Using network analyses, optogenetics, neuronal tracing, pharmacological and immunohistochemical techniques, she investigated how the prefrontal cortex encodes temporal and contextual memories through functional networks, memory engrams, and neuroanatomical connections. In the Do Monte lab, Thays studies how dopaminergic signaling in prefrontal cortex regulates decision-making processes. In her free time, Thays enjoys bike riding, reading outdoors, watching classic movies, trying different foods, and everything matcha-flavored.
Dr. Thays Brenner dos Santos received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil and her master’s and PhD degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience from the same institution. Using network analyses, optogenetics, neuronal tracing, pharmacological and immunohistochemical techniques, she investigated how the prefrontal cortex encodes temporal and contextual memories through functional networks, memory engrams, and neuroanatomical connections. In the Do Monte lab, Thays studies how dopaminergic signaling in prefrontal cortex regulates decision-making processes. In her free time, Thays enjoys bike riding, reading outdoors, watching classic movies, trying different foods, and everything matcha-flavored.
Juliane M. Ikebara, PhD.
Juliane M. Ikebara, PhD.
Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Juliane M. Ikebara received her bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology and her master’s and PhD degrees in Neuroscience and Cognition from Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC) in Brazil. Her PhD focused on the effects of neonatal anoxia on cognitive deficits and the hippocampus-prefrontal cortex communication. During this time, Juliane completed her internship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), studying the role of interneurons in spatial coding. As a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Newton Canteras’ lab at Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Juliane performed optogenetics, fiber photometry, immunohistochemistry and neuroanatomical studies to explore the participation of the cuneiform nucleus in defensive behaviors. In the Do Monte lab, she investigates how midbrain circuits regulate locomotion and threat-elicited defensive responses in rats. In her free time, Juliane enjoys drawing and painting, singing, and practicing martial arts.
Dr. Juliane M. Ikebara received her bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology and her master’s and PhD degrees in Neuroscience and Cognition from Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC) in Brazil. Her PhD focused on the effects of neonatal anoxia on cognitive deficits and the hippocampus-prefrontal cortex communication. During this time, Juliane completed her internship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), studying the role of interneurons in spatial coding. As a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Newton Canteras’ lab at Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Juliane performed optogenetics, fiber photometry, immunohistochemistry and neuroanatomical studies to explore the participation of the cuneiform nucleus in defensive behaviors. In the Do Monte lab, she investigates how midbrain circuits regulate locomotion and threat-elicited defensive responses in rats. In her free time, Juliane enjoys drawing and painting, singing, and practicing martial arts.
Isabella Smith
Isabella Smith
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Isabella received her bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Statistics from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate trainee, she did research using Drosophila melanogaster to identify premotor neurons and characterize their patterns of connections with the motor neurons. She was part of the Bucknell University Women’s swim team and received the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll award for three years. In the Do Monte Lab, Isabella investigates how different systems of neurotransmission in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus modulate food seeking and avoidance behaviors during situations of motivational conflict. In her free time, Isabella loves any outdoor activity, swimming, reading lots of Stephen King books, and spending time with her family and friends.
Isabella received her bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Statistics from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate trainee, she did research using Drosophila melanogaster to identify premotor neurons and characterize their patterns of connections with the motor neurons. She was part of the Bucknell University Women’s swim team and received the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll award for three years. In the Do Monte Lab, Isabella investigates how different systems of neurotransmission in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus modulate food seeking and avoidance behaviors during situations of motivational conflict. In her free time, Isabella loves any outdoor activity, swimming, reading lots of Stephen King books, and spending time with her family and friends.
Mia Gurmendi
Mia Gurmendi
Research Technician II
Research Technician II
Mia earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas A&M University in College Station. As an undergraduate trainee in the lab of Dr. Azhdarinia, she studied the efficacy of various combinations of antineoplastic agents as therapeutic approaches for treating neuroendocrine tumors. In the Do Monte Lab, Mia investigates how exposure to stressful conditions leads to long-lasting alterations in risky decision-making in rats. In her free time, Mia loves playing tennis, trying new coffee shops, and going to pilates.
Mia earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas A&M University in College Station. As an undergraduate trainee in the lab of Dr. Azhdarinia, she studied the efficacy of various combinations of antineoplastic agents as therapeutic approaches for treating neuroendocrine tumors. In the Do Monte Lab, Mia investigates how exposure to stressful conditions leads to long-lasting alterations in risky decision-making in rats. In her free time, Mia loves playing tennis, trying new coffee shops, and going to pilates.
Cana B. Quave, B.S.
Cana B. Quave, B.S.
Graduate Student
Graduate Student
Cana Quave obtained his B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Houston. In the lab of Dr. Therese Kosten, he was trained in modelling psychiatric disorders in rodents with the aim of developing novel therapeutics. His primary focus was to investigate the role of innate immune signaling in rats’ behavioral responses to predator odor-exposure. Additionally, he was extensively involved in peer-mentoring through positions in student groups and as the undergraduate representative to his department’s education committee. In the Do Monte Lab, Cana investigates the neural mechanisms whereby drugs of abuse alter risk-taking behavior in the context of fear. Outside of the lab, Cana enjoys walking into forests, cooking with his Emergency Contact, Laura, and producing abnormal noise with his guitar.
Cana Quave obtained his B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Houston. In the lab of Dr. Therese Kosten, he was trained in modelling psychiatric disorders in rodents with the aim of developing novel therapeutics. His primary focus was to investigate the role of innate immune signaling in rats’ behavioral responses to predator odor-exposure. Additionally, he was extensively involved in peer-mentoring through positions in student groups and as the undergraduate representative to his department’s education committee. In the Do Monte Lab, Cana investigates the neural mechanisms whereby drugs of abuse alter risk-taking behavior in the context of fear. Outside of the lab, Cana enjoys walking into forests, cooking with his Emergency Contact, Laura, and producing abnormal noise with his guitar.
Vicky Chuong, M.S.
Vicky Chuong, M.S.
Graduate Student
Graduate Student
Vicky received her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Iowa. As an undergraduate, she investigated the efficacy of neuroprotective compounds to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Vicky later received her master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Biomedical Science and Psychology from the University of Central Florida where she studied the role of cell senescence in Parkinson’s Disease. Following, Vicky completed a fellowship at the National Institute on Drug Abuse where she screened for pharmacological compounds with the potential to treat drug addictions. As a PhD student in the Do Monte Lab, Vicky is interested in studying individual differences in risky decision-making in rats. Outside the lab, Vicky is a proud bunny-mom of two who struggles daily to keep her plants alive.
Vicky received her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Iowa. As an undergraduate, she investigated the efficacy of neuroprotective compounds to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Vicky later received her master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Biomedical Science and Psychology from the University of Central Florida where she studied the role of cell senescence in Parkinson’s Disease. Following, Vicky completed a fellowship at the National Institute on Drug Abuse where she screened for pharmacological compounds with the potential to treat drug addictions. As a PhD student in the Do Monte Lab, Vicky is interested in studying individual differences in risky decision-making in rats. Outside the lab, Vicky is a proud bunny-mom of two who struggles daily to keep her plants alive.
Esra Altun, M.S.
Esra Altun, M.S.
Graduate Student
Graduate Student
Esra obtained her bachelor’s degree in Material Science and Engineering at Erciyes University in Turkey. She then built on this foundation by completing her master’s degree at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently as a PhD student at Rice University, she is actively engaged in the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative Program. In the Do Monte Lab, she is working on developing and testing flexible probes for intracranial recordings and a miniature dual-color microscope to image calcium transients as a proxy of neural activity in freely behaving rats. While balancing the rigors of research, she finds respite in the great outdoors, with hiking being her favorite activity. Additionally, Pilates offers her a physical and mental equilibrium in the face of the demanding academic commitments.
Esra obtained her bachelor’s degree in Material Science and Engineering at Erciyes University in Turkey. She then built on this foundation by completing her master’s degree at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently as a PhD student at Rice University, she is actively engaged in the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative Program. In the Do Monte Lab, she is working on developing and testing flexible probes for intracranial recordings and a miniature dual-color microscope to image calcium transients as a proxy of neural activity in freely behaving rats. While balancing the rigors of research, she finds respite in the great outdoors, with hiking being her favorite activity. Additionally, Pilates offers her a physical and mental equilibrium in the face of the demanding academic commitments.
Victoria Albanese
Victoria Albanese
Undergraduate Trainee
Undergraduate Trainee
Victoria moved from Long Island, New York to Houston to pursue her degree in Bioengineering at Rice University. In the Do Monte Lab, her research project aims to determine how prelimbic neuronal activity tracks the changing predictive value of reward-related cues during reward omission and extinction learning. In her free time, Victoria enjoys watching hockey, reading, and playing tennis.
Victoria moved from Long Island, New York to Houston to pursue her degree in Bioengineering at Rice University. In the Do Monte Lab, her research project aims to determine how prelimbic neuronal activity tracks the changing predictive value of reward-related cues during reward omission and extinction learning. In her free time, Victoria enjoys watching hockey, reading, and playing tennis.
Francesca D. Nemati
Francesca D. Nemati
Undergraduate Trainee
Undergraduate Trainee
Francesca, originally from New York City, is pursuing her Bachelor's in Computer Science with a minor in Neuroscience at Rice University. In the Do Monte Lab, Francesca is using machine learning algorithms to identify and collect data on reward and fear-related behaviors in rats in order to correlate their responses with neuronal signals. Her hobbies include photography and baking, and she enjoys visiting museums, spending time outdoors, and watching baseball.
Francesca, originally from New York City, is pursuing her Bachelor's in Computer Science with a minor in Neuroscience at Rice University. In the Do Monte Lab, Francesca is using machine learning algorithms to identify and collect data on reward and fear-related behaviors in rats in order to correlate their responses with neuronal signals. Her hobbies include photography and baking, and she enjoys visiting museums, spending time outdoors, and watching baseball.
Ana Beatriz Contrucci
Ana Beatriz Contrucci
Undergraduate Trainee
Undergraduate Trainee
Ana grew up in the Houston area and is now pursuing degrees in Neuroscience and Computer Science at Rice University. In the Do Monte Lab, she is investigating the role of dopaminergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex during approach-avoidance conflict tasks. In her free time, Ana enjoys reading, participating in Rice’s theater productions, and spending time with her family and friends.
Ana grew up in the Houston area and is now pursuing degrees in Neuroscience and Computer Science at Rice University. In the Do Monte Lab, she is investigating the role of dopaminergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex during approach-avoidance conflict tasks. In her free time, Ana enjoys reading, participating in Rice’s theater productions, and spending time with her family and friends.
Supporting Lab Members
Supporting Lab Members
Paka
Stewie
Revali
Appa & Aang
Lenny
Rosemary
Cody
Milo
Alumni Members
Alumni Members
Naubahar S. Agha, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow 2017
Anika Tanwani – Undergraduate Research Internship Summer 2017
Ana Luisa Terzian - Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2018
Melissa Franch - Rotating Graduate Student Spring 2018
Yue Yu - Rotating Graduate Student Spring 2018
Maria N. Rasheed - Post-Baccalaureate Trainee 2017-2019
Leah Olivo - Undergraduate Trainee 2018-2019
Riya Albert - Undergraduate Trainee 2018-2019
Jose A. Fernandez León - Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2019
Victoria Gonzales - Undergraduate Trainee 2019
León Gerónimo Velazquez-Hernandez - International Visiting Student 2019
Roberto J. Morales - Visiting Graduate Student Spring 2020
Cuauhtemoc Ulises Gonzalez - Rotating Graduate Student - Spring 2020
Harvey Zhou - Undergraduate Trainee 2018-2020
Esha Bora - High School Trainee 2020-2021
Alexandria Goodson - Undergraduate Trainee 2019-2021
Alex Prince - Rotating Graduate Student Fall 2021
Matias Cattani - Summer Undergraduate Trainee 2021
Andres Vasquez - Research Assistant 2019-2021
Douglas Engelke - Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2022
Chinenye (Lucy) Chidomere - Undergraduate Trainee 2020-2022
Megan Tarbet - Rotating Graduate Student Summer 2022
Beatriz Rios - Rotating Graduate Student Fall 2022
Paula Bender - Rotating Graduate Student Spring 2023
Hasan Rangwala - Undergraduate Trainee 2022-2023
Milagros Marin - Postdoctoral Fellow 2023
Fernanda N Lotz Alves - Visiting Graduate Student Spring/Summer 2023
Claire Cho - GradSURP/Research Assistant 2021-2023
Michelle da Rosa - Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow 2023
Xu Zhang - Graduate Student 2019-2024
Eva Boling - Summer Undergraduate Trainee 2024
Nikita Elinson-Watson - Research Assistant 2021-2024
Duy Ha - Undergraduate Trainee 2023-2024
Allen Dong - Undergraduate Trainee 2023-2024
Advika Rajeev - Undergraduate Trainee 2024-2025
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