Erika Hoyos-Ramirez, PhD

Erika is a biomedical scientist interested in elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control the proper flow of information across neuronal networks. Such mechanisms are responsible for every aspect of behavior, from learning and memory to locomotion and sensory processing. When these mechanisms are disrupted, neurological diseases emerge. Another important aspect of her research is understanding how neuronal networks adapt to chronic changes in excitability patterns. This remarkable property of neuronal networks allows them to maintain an optimum balance between excitation and inhibition. Erika received her PhD under the supervision of Dr. Leslie Loew at the University of Connecticut, where she studied the dynamics of synaptic potentials using 2-photon voltage sensitive dye imaging.