Welcome to Our Laboratory

In Brief

Our laboratory is focused on studying:

(1) The molecular mechanisms that regulate dopamine and acetylcholine release in the striatum.

(2) The cholinergic mechanisms involved in the development and expression of addictive behaviors to psychostimulants of the amphetamine family and L-DOPA-induced Dyskinesia.

(3) Structure-based drug design following the amphetamine therapeutic approach.

News & Events

On December 6th, 2025, our undergraduate student, Itzel Palacio Jara, was awarded first place in the Molecular Neuroscience category, for her project, “Understanding the Interaction between the Extracellular Domain of the α10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit with the Cone Snail Toxin α-RgIA” at the 33rd Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference, held at the University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus. Itzel shared this award with two other outstanding colleagues. This award fills us with pride and joy, as it represents not only the effort Itzel has invested in her research but also the invaluable support of her co-mentor, Dr. Bianca Valdés, who has placed her trust in Itzel and inspired her to continue growing in neuroscience. We also want to acknowledge the support of the Title V grant, which has provided the funds and resources to develop the project. For us, this recognition is the fruit of much effort and a motivation to continue contributing through research and scientific communication as committed professionals.

Congratulation Itzel!