Spotlight Series: Janitza Montalvo-Ortiz, PhD

“I'm most excited about our neuroepigenetics work—studying how our environment and experiences leave chemical marks on our DNA that switch genes on or off, without changing the genetic code itself—and how that shapes the biology of psychiatric disorders like substance use disorders and PTSD. We combine that with multiomics, meaning we look at several layers of biology together—genetics, these epigenetic marks, and gene activity—to get a fuller picture of what's happening in the brain, which can point toward new treatments and biomarkers.

Alongside that, I co-lead the Latin American Genomics Consortium and serve as Yale's site PI for the All of Us Research Program, working to make sure underrepresented populations are part of that data. These disorders remain deeply stigmatized and underfunded; this work matters to me because it can change that.”

“There's no such thing as perfect—just get it done. And don't be afraid to ask for help along the way. Seeking advice from colleagues moves the work forward faster than trying to figure it all out alone.”

“Carmen Maldonado Vlaar, PhD, introduced me to research and gave me my first chance—a decision that shaped the entire trajectory of my career. We've stayed in contact ever since, and we collaborate together training students, which feels like a full-circle way of paying that forward.”

“I hope for Latina scientists and researchers and those from underrepresented backgrounds don't have to prove themselves over and over to be seen as experts—and where no one is forced to choose between academia and family because childcare is unaffordable or the field still lacks family-friendly policies.”