Posted on July 26, 2024 by Shaca Sweet
Gabrielle Magalhães, a 2021 graduate of the psychology program at UTSA, has enrolled as a Ph.D. student in the neuroscience program at Boston University. Her current focus is on exploring the neural mechanisms of adolescent learning.
Magalhães felt a connection to the campus environment and appreciated the available resources, such as an undergraduate research fellowship. Her decision to attend UTSA was influenced by it being a Hispanic-serving institution.
During her time at UTSA, she delved into studying anxiety disorders and trauma in Dr. Alicia Swan’s lab, which works in collaboration with Veteran Affairs. This decision was driven by the significant research on anxiety disorders and trauma conducted by the institution. Magalhaes was able to work on several publications during her time at UTSA. An article she is particularly proud of focuses prefrontal regulation in forming spatial-based memories of threat and safety.
As an undergraduate, Magalhães utilized computational models to formalize theories on anxiety disorder development through Dr. Alicia Swan’s Lab. She also conducted research on the role of hippocampal projections to the prefrontal cortex in affective regulation, learning, and avoidance behavior in rodents in the Burgos Lab.
According to Magalhães, her decision to move to Boston to pursue a PH.D. in neuroscience was easy. The MARC-U*STAR program prepares undergraduates interested in research to get into graduate programs by providing stipends to work in research labs as undergraduate assistants and mentorship on building skills necessary to succeed as a graduate student. Magalhães says she learned how to research and perform lab work through MARC-U*STAR and her time spent in the labs of Dr. Alicia Swan and Dr. Anthony Burgos-Robles, Ph.D.
As a doctoral student, Magalhães dedicates her time to research. "My focus is studying the prefrontal cortex's involvement in learning and emotional decision-making during adolescence," Magalhães explained. Her daily routine involves working with rodents, designing experiments, recording neural activity, and analyzing data for her research. She aims to contribute meaningful findings that enhance the comprehension of the neurobiology underlying anxiety disorders.
Magalhães credits UTSA's psychology program for equipping her for her current career. "Dr. Alicia Swan guided me towards the research path I am passionate about," she said. Initially, when Magalhães joined UTSA, there was no neuroscience major program; she expressed gratitude for the psychology professors who assisted her in transitioning to neuroscience research.
Magalhães has advice for students considering a career in neuroscience. She suggests exploring various branches of neuroscience that interest you and seeking mentors in these areas. “It’s good to explore the different branches of neuroscience because it really helps you figure out which approach best suits your interests.”
— Shaca Sweet
