Guillermo Aquino-Miranda, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

guillermo.aquinomiranda@uth.tmc.edu

ResearchGate     

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 is investigating 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.

Milagros Marín, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

milagros.marinalejo@uth.tmc.edu

Dr. Marín earned a B.S. in Biochemistry (Molecular Biomedicine) and an M.S. in Translational Research and Personalized Medicine from the University of Granada (Spain). Bridging the gap between Informatics and Biochemistry, her PhD thesis (2021) used system biology approaches for a better understanding of complex diseases, and optimization algorithms to develop biologically efficient neuronal models using realistic firing dynamics from cerebellar granule cells. Dr. Marín received a one-year postdoctoral fellowship that funded her research in Dr. Javier Medina’s lab at Baylor College of Medicine. In the Do Monte Lab, she is applying pose estimation algorithms and advanced computational analyses of behavior and electrophysiological recordings to understand the mechanisms that regulate approach-avoidance conflict in rats. Outside of the lab, Milagros enjoys lifting things with varying levels of success (powerlifting), eating out and watching movies.

Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

michelle.m.darosa@uth.tmc.edu

Dr. da Rosa has a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, and a master's degree in biochemistry with a focus on learning and memory from the same institution.  She completed her Ph.D. training in Molecular Neuroscience studying the role of synaptic-nuclear trafficking proteins on synaptic plasticity at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany. Dr. da Rosa is an Assistant Professor at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil where her lab investigates the molecular mechanisms that underlie cognitive impairment in rodents, which may have clinical relevance for understanding anxiety, depression, and Parkinson's disease in humans. Currently, Dr. da Rosa is a visiting postdoctoral fellow in the Do Monte lab where she investigates the neural circuits involved in reward signaling. A nice morning cup of coffee, exercising, and a chilling evening are some of her enjoyable moments. 

Cana B. Quave, B.S.

Graduate Student

Cana.Quave@uth.tmc.edu

ResearchGate 

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 now seeks to study 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.

Xu O. Zhang, B.S.

Graduate Student

Xu.Zhang.1@uth.tmc.edu

ResearchGate 

Xu Zhang was born in Emeishan, Sichuan in southwest China. He received his B.S. in Biological Science from Zhejiang University, China. Under the direction of Dr. Zhefeng Gong, he investigated the neural circuits that mediate the thermoregulation of sleep behavior in fruit flies. He was also an activist in LGBT rights and feminism movement by leading the student LGBT group. In the Do Monte lab, Xu is trying to elucidate the activities and mechanisms of projection-defined prefrontal cortex neurons that regulate fear- and reward-associated responses in rats. In his free time, he enjoys cooking Chinese food, watching movies, and playing Nintendo Switch.

Nikita Elinson-Watson, B.S.

Lab Manager & Research Assistant 

nikita.a.watson@uth.tmc.edu 

Nikita received her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Houston. While there, she was the president of a pre-health organization Alpha Eta Alpha, where she worked with members to help the community, developed connections with Special Olympics of Texas, and helped future health professionals navigate steps towards their career. She also spent time working under Dr. Gorniak at the UH Center for Neuromotor and Biomechanics Research where she studied how motor movement is affected by neurodegenerative diseases or diabetes. In the Do Monte Lab, Nikita is investigating the neural circuits that underlie ultrasonic vocalizations and social communication in rodents, During her free time, Nikita enjoys powerlifting, spending time outside with her dog, and experimenting in the kitchen.