Tessa Dallo
Entered: Neuroscience Graduate Program NGP 2023
Mentor: Laura Fontenas, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: TBD
BS Biochemistry/Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
"I am currently pursuing my research with Dr. Laura Fontenas. Using zebrafish as a model organism, I am investigating glial migration at the interface of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system to elucidate potential demyelinating pathologies and gain a better understanding of myelination mechanisms. Studying glia fascinates me, as they are not well understood, but are implicated in numerous neuropathologies. Specifically, my motivation lies in exploring the medical applications of glia and neuroscience, delving into therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.
I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate and then as a post-baccalaureate, I worked as a research technologist in the labs of Drs. Anne Ruffing and Chuck Smallwood at Sandia National Laboratories. Here, I used genetic engineering and machine learning based approaches to study and develop energy efficient biofuels.
FAU's NGP excited me because of the compelling research on its campuses, and I knew I wanted to join an interdisciplinary program with lab rotations. In my first year of the NGP, I rotated in the labs of Dr. Gregg Fields, Dr. Randy Blakely, and Dr. Laura Fontenas. In particular, the NGP stood out for its highly collaborative campus located within a growing neuroscience hub.”