EXECUTIVE TEAM
Joseph Gallegos•2019
Co-Director
Joseph is a 6th year PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy. For his thesis work, he is defining how astrocytes within the cortex alter their functions after demyelination has occurred, hoping that this knowledge will help lead to new treatments for brain diseases like Multiple sclerosis. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing guitar, hiking and camping, and trying to keep his plants alive. Joseph has been a GLIA member and activity participant since he started his PhD, and is now in his second year as the Co-Director of the organization.
Anna Leonard•2022
Co-Director
Anna is a 3rd year co-mentored by Julie Blendy and Elizabeth Heller. Her work focuses on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of opioid-taking behavior. In addition to serving as GLIA Co-Director, she is the leader for Chalk Talks & Data Eclipse and helps to organize the Brain Bee. Outside of lab, she enjoys baking, reading, photography, and game nights.
Jessie Greenslade•2021
Professional Development
Jessie Greenslade is a 4th year in the lab of Dr. Bushra Raj, within the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. Her research is currently focused on investigating the chromatin accessibility profiles of neural progenitors and neurons across development, with the goal of identifying genomic regulatory elements involved in neuronal specification. In addition to being PR Chair, she is co-leader of the Fuel for Successful Scientists and Return of NGG Alumni activities. Outside of doing super cool Neuroscience things, Jessie enjoys playing volleyball, exercising, painting by numbers, and being with friends and family!
Hannah Gura•2023
Outreach
Hannah (she/her) is a 2nd year graduate student in Nick Balderston's lab. Her work looks at sex differences influencing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation response. Hannah loves catching up with other students at GLIA events and creating meaningful opportunities for students on and off Penn's campus to nerd out. Off campus Hannah enjoys exploring Philly with friends and her dog Suits (who will be getting his dogterate)!
Kyndall Nicholas•2020
Public Relations (Recruitment)
Kyndall is a 5th year in the lab of Kacy Cullen. She investigates the prophylactic role of omega-3 fatty acids in traumatic brain injury. As co-chair of Public relations, she helps to organize annual recruitment. Outside of lab, Kyndall can be found dancing and eating.
Stephanie Uroda•2023
Public Relations (Social Media & Society for Neuroscience Social)
Stephanie is a 2nd year graduate student in Edward Lee’s lab. Combining her background in neuroscience and chemistry, she will investigate small molecule activators of an unfoldase protein that is implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of the lab, Stephanie enjoys roller blading along the Schuylkill, crocheting stuffed animals, and exploring the Philadelphia markets and food scene with friends.
Abby Lieberman•2022
Secretary
Abby is a 3rd year in Tim Machado and Minghong Ma’s labs. She studies how the neural control of orofacial movement changes across contexts using population imaging and electrophysiological techniques as well as computational methods. In addition to serving as the GLIA Secretary, she participates in several outreach activities including Upward Bound Neuroscience, STEM Scholars, the AAB Application Support Program, and the PennNeuroKnow blog. Outside of lab, you can find her doing hot yoga, cooking up a storm, crafting, and hugging her chonky cat Professor Zigzag!
Fernanda Holloman•2022
Action Against Bias Liaison
Fernanda is a 3rd year in the lab of Mike Hart. She graduated from Albright College in 2020 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. Her research combines genetics and neuroscience to study social behavior in neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of lab, Fernanda enjoys reading, binge-watching Netflix, crafting using different mediums, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Liz Siefert•2021
Community Building
Liz is a 4th year co-mentored by Anna Schapiro and Brett Foster. She studies human memory using a variety of computational and cognitive neuroscience methods (ex: scalp and intracranial EEG). More specifically, she is interested in how our memories change and shift overtime and the role of offline states, such as sleep, in memory processing. Outside of lab, she loves playing soccer and printmaking.
Emily Meyer•2021
Treasurer
Hi! I'm a visual neuroscience researcher in Mike Arcaro's lab. I'm interested in high-level vision, specifically object recognition, and comparing this visual behavior and neural underpinnings across species. I use tree shrews, a close relative of primates, as my model organism to study their behaviors and plan to record from neurons in their visual cortex. Outside of lab, I enjoy spending time with my dog and partner, enjoying amazing Philly food and cooking some of my own, and of course being involved with GLIA! I am currently the GLIA Treasurer and co-leader of the Annual Student Retreat but have previously been involved with other great activities including Recruitment, Upward Bound, Recruitment, and Let's Do Lunch!
emily.meyer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Abigail chavez•2023
Outreach
Abigail Chavez is a 2nd year pursuing a Ph.D. in Frances Jensen Lab. Abi is broadly interested in neurodegeneration and how hyperexcitability alters neural circuit function. She wishes to focus on the translational aspect of research while leveraging electrophysiological techniques. In addition to being Outreach Co-Chair she is a comittee member for the public lecture series and an instructor for Upward Bound. During her free time, she enjoys trying new things, hiking, singing, traveling, and baking.