Michael Robinson
Entered: Neuroscience Graduate Program NGP 2025
Mentor: TBD
Thesis Topic: TBD
B.S. Neuroscience, minor in Chemistry and LGBTQ+ Studies, University of Miami
Diversity in Science ~ Michael earned the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship! This fellowship was created for students pursing doctorate degrees at Florida universities to build equity, diversity and inclusion for under representation of African American and Hispanic populations for those in pursuit of a career in research and teaching at a college or university level.
"During my undergraduate studies, I majored in Neuroscience at the University of Miami, where I developed a strong interest in how both biological mechanisms and social experiences influence brain health, particularly in marginalized communities. As a research assistant in Dr. Sannisha Dale’s SHINE Lab, I supported projects examining how microaggressions, stigma, and systemic discrimination affect mental and physical health outcomes in Black women living with HIV. Through this work, I gained valuable experience in behavioral assessments, survey data collection, and applying trauma-informed, intersectional research frameworks. I also served as a NIH-funded Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow in Dr. Helen Bramlett’s lab at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, where I investigated the role of Gasdermin D knockout in reducing neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury. In this role, I developed technical skills in tissue processing, histology, microscopy, and the analysis of inflammatory markers in mouse models.
I was drawn to the NGP because of its interdisciplinary focus, collaborative training environment, and opportunities to rotate through labs at institutions like Max Planck and UF Scripps, which are conducting cutting-edge neuroscience research across multiple levels of analysis. I am also deeply inspired by the program’s commitment to community engagement through initiatives like MobileMinds, which brings neuroscience education to Title I schools and underserved communities across South Florida. This blend of rigorous research and public outreach strongly aligns with my goal of becoming a professor dedicated to advancing health equity and making neuroscience more accessible to all."