Postdoctoral Researcher

Eli earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Institute of Cell Physiology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she studied the role of the prelimbic-nucleus accumbens pathway in regulating reward-seeking behavior when animals face threats. In January 2023, she joined the Padilla-Coreano Lab at the University of Florida, where her research focuses on neural circuits of the medial prefrontal cortex and their subcortical targets in social decision-making. Outside of the lab, Eli enjoys reading, watching movies, and biking around Gainesville.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Jose earned his PhD in neuroscience from the University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, where he studied sex differences in amygdala and hippocampal function after global cerebral ischemia. Jose joined the Padilla-Coreano lab at UFL in December 2024 and has been utilizing in vivo calcium imaging to understand the role of the basolateral amygdala in social decision-making in mice. Outside of the lab, Jose enjoys spending time with family, fishing, and visiting cool places in Florida.

PhD Student

Sequioa obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Sam Houston State University in 2023, where they completed a thesis on the therapeutic potential of targeting the mGluR5 receptor in treatment-resistant depression. They are now a Neuroscience PhD student at the University of Florida, where they investigate how prefrontal–striatal–thalamic circuits support social memory and rank. As a first-generation college graduate, Sequioa is committed to breaking barriers in academia and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in science. In the lab, Sequioa uses optogenetics, electrophysiology, and behavioral assays, and is especially interested in integrating chemosensory processing with social cognition. Outside of the lab, they enjoy spending time with family, hiking, paddleboarding, walking their chihuahua, Chula, and traveling.

Collaborator, PhD Student with Hulcr Lab

Christopher is a PhD student with degrees in Forestry, Data Science, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Biology. Although his responsibilities are often more orientated to data and software management, Christopher's true research interests include genomics, geometric deep learning, and synthetic biology. When he is not playing with computational models, he likes to play rugby or pick up heavy things and put them back down again.

PhD student

Edgar is a recent graduate from the University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla with a passion for neuroscience. His interests focus on understanding the neural circuits underlying social behaviors, as well as how these processes are disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders. He is excited to expand these interests further at the Padilla-Coreano Lab. Outside the lab, he enjoys traveling, going to the beach, listening to music, and short hikes.

Undergraduate Researcher

Aarna is a Biomedical Engineering major on the pre-med track. She plans to graduate in May 2027 and pursue medical school. She's especially interested in studying the intersection of neuroscience and AI in medical technology. In the lab, she investigates how mutations lead to social dysfunctions in mice. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, reading, walking, and baking.

Undergraduate Researcher

Ayush is a Biochemistry and Statistics student graduating in May 2027 with aspirations of pursuing a research-intensive MD. Passionate about medical innovation and neuroscience, he joined the lab in Spring 2024, where his work focuses on the roles of distinct neural circuits in social memory and the autonomic characterization of behavior. Outside the lab, he enjoys soccer, teaching, surfing, and working as an EMT.

Undergraduate Researcher
SURFiN Fellow

Andrea is a pre-med student at the University of Florida who plans to graduate in 2027 with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in English.  She is passionate about the complexities of the nervous system and learning how the brain works. Her current research focuses on exploring the neural circuits that contribute to prosocial decision-making behaviors in the medial prefrontal cortex and its subcortical targets. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Undergraduate Researcher

Nayla is a Neuroscience and Biology student, planning to pursue medicine as an MD or MD/PhD. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and is passionate about exploring how the brain’s structure and function shape the human psyche. Her research focuses on investigating dopamine and oxytocin dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex using fiber photometry. In her free time, she loves to paint, play the oboe, dance, and watch basketball.

Undergraduate Researcher

Anastasia is a Mathematics student on the pre-med track. She has been interested in neuroscience for many years, specifically to explore the connectivity between neural processes and cognitive conditions, and to apply computational models to enhance understanding. She began in the Fall of 2024 to investigate how mutations disrupt social behavior and how to rescue these deficits.

Undergraduate Researcher

Marisa is a major in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in Statistics. Since joining the lab in January 2025, Marisa's research has centered around studying prosocial behaviors in reward-based contexts, as well as the neural activity associated with this behavior. After graduating, she plans to pursue a PhD in neuroscience in hopes of continuing with a career in research and teaching. Her ultimate passion is to promote scientific learning to inspire future researchers to continue making valuable discoveries. In her free time, Marisa enjoys singing and playing cozy video games.

Undergraduate Researcher

Sophie Dehaut is a psychology major with an emphasis in behavioral cognitive neuroscience. She’s currently on the pre-medical track, with a goal of being a pediatric psychiatrist. Sophie is passionate about learning about the mind, with a focus on mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. She hopes to challenge herself and expand her knowledge on the brain in the lab, in order to contribute to the field of knowledge. In her free time, Sophie enjoys lifting at the gym, reading books, and shopping with her friends.

Undergraduate Researcher

Genesis is a Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience major, set to graduate in May 2027. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, potentially through a DO, MD, or MD/PhD dual-degree program. Genesis is especially passionate about understanding neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders, with the goal of improving the quality of life for those affected. In the lab, she is eager to learn about the neural circuits underlying these diseases and how they affect social behaviors. Currently, her research focuses on analyzing prosocial behavior in mice. Outside of academics, Genesis enjoys drawing, watching football (soccer), and spending time with friends and family.

Undergraduate Researcher

Logan is a Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience and Biology major with plans to graduate in the spring of 2027, aspiring to go to medical school. She is especially interested in neurodegenerative diseases and neuroplasticity. Her current research in the lab is focused on prosocial behavior in mouse models and the neural circuits that affect this decision-making. In her free time, she enjoys baking, watching movies, listening to music, and reading.

Undergraduate Researcher
SURFiN Fellow

Thomas Heeps is a Computer Engineering undergraduate at the University of Florida. Thomas analyzes neural and behavioral data using programming to study brain-behavior relationships. Thomas is passionate about advancing research at the intersection of neuroscience and engineering.

Undergraduate Researcher

Catherine is a Neuroscience and Computer Science student, expecting to graduate in May 2028. Her research interests center around the neural mechanisms underlying social cooperation and selfish behaviors, as well as neurological deficiencies contributing to mental health disorders. To pursue her career goals in mental health technology, she is actively seeking hands-on experience in both experimental and computational neuroscience methods. Outside the lab, Catherine enjoys playing table tennis, watching musicals, singing, gaming, and spending quality time with friends.

Undergraduate Researcher

Robyn is studying Biology with the intention of preparing for a life helping others through medical care. She plans to graduate in 2028 and pursue an MD or MD/PhD. Her specific research interests related to the lab are utilizing optogenetics, discovering neural circuits that underlie pro-social behaviors, and programming machine learning models to analyze these circuits. She is also involved in UF’s Club Softball team, in which she serves as Community Service Chair and Safety Officer.

Undergraduate Researcher
SURFiN Fellow

Simmone is a Psychology major on the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience track. She is also pursuing a Statistics minor. She plans to graduate in May 2028 and pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Simmone is particularly interested in studying neuropsychopharmacology and substance abuse disorders. In the lab, she studies social memory in mice. In her free time, she enjoys writing and performing music, especially on the electric guitar.

High School Researcher

Tanish is a senior at Fort Myers High School who joined the lab through the University of Florida Student Science Training program in the summer of 2025 and has continued conducting research with the lab since. He has previously worked on independent research studies applying random forest algorithms and neural networks to develop a screening tool for autism. Outside of research, he enjoys robotics competitions, playing tennis/table tennis, and exploring projects at the intersection of science, engineering, and community impact.

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