2021 D-SPAN Scholar F99 Phase

Jean Rodríguez Díaz
2021 D-SPAN Scholar
F99 Phase: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Sponsor: Kevin Jones

Jean Carlos Rodríguez Díaz received his B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras Campus. As an undergraduate student, he was part of the ENDURE-NeuroID program which facilitated his first research experience in Dr. Lasalde’s laboratory. He developed an interest in neuronal network function which led him to participate in the International Program for the Advancement of Neurotechnology. He is currently a PhD Candidate at the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Campus. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kevin Jones, his dissertation research is focused on determining the role of NMDARs in the development and maintenance of synchronous network activity. He attended the Summer Program in Neuroscience, Excellence and Success, as well as the Neural Systems and Behavior hosted at the Marine Biological Laboratory. His long-term goal is to become an independent academic researcher studying how neurons participate in neuronal networks and the impact of environmental insults on network activity. To achieve this goal, he has assembled a mentoring team consisting of Dr. Kevin Jones, Dr. Geoffrey Murphy, and Dr. Dominique Pritchett. In his spare time, Jean enjoys gaming, making terrariums, and keeping bonsai.