Student Spotlight: Gabriela Carino Rico

FAU undergraduate student Gabriela Carina Rico is currently studying neuroscience and behavior with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at Jupiter. Since joining the laboratory of Carmen Varela, Ph.D., Rico has found endless curiosity in synaptic plasticity and the mechanisms of learning and memory, mastering skills used to identify circuits in the brain that are responsible for memory consolidation; conduct stereotactic microsurgery on the brains of animal models; and conduct behavioral experiments as an independent scientist.

“I began my relationship with Dr. Varela after taking her Neurobiology of Learning and Memory course in my first semester at FAU after transferring from Emmanuel College in Boston,” said Rico. “I expressed to Dr. Varela my desire to continue exploring my passion for science and the brain within the lab – the work that we do in the thalamus lab is important for identifying circuits in the brain that are responsible for memory consolidation.”

Rico was recently awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and will work towards completing an honors thesis in Varela's laboratory working to further investigate what happens when the pathways of the thalamus are inhibited during critical sleep consolidation windows.

“Diseases of the brain can occur spontaneously just as they can in cancer, which leads researchers into this marathon of exploration and discovery in order to broaden our understanding and develop breakthrough treatments,” said Rico. “I set out as an undergraduate with these ideas in the forefront of my mind, leading to my first research positions in Boston studying cancer, and continuing to study the brain after I transferred to FAU.”

Rico intends to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior in May 2022, with hopes of continuing her education in the dual, clinician-scientist M.D./Ph.D. degree program in the fall. Her long-term aspirations include establishing and leading a cancer neuroscience lab and clinic.

“As a medical doctor and scientist, I hope to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research, solutions and treatment for inoperable cancers of the brain,” said Rico.