I graduated from UCLA with a PhD in Molecular Toxicology, where I studied serotonergic neuromodulation of fly visual processing. Prior to graduate school, I earned a BS in Biochemistry and worked at the CDC measuring toxicants in human blood as part of the NHANES biomonitoring program. 

 

Research: I am studying developmental lead toxicity within the context of neuron-astrocyte interactions. Astrocytes mediate oxidative damage, support neuronal metabolism, and regulate inflammation in the adult brain. It is possible that developing astrocytes exposed to lead could perform these protective roles or they might enter a reactive state and contribute to neuron toxicity.