CamilaGarcia

Oligodendrocytes fuel neurons with metabolic support through myelin production, essential for sustaining neuronal activity and maintaining excitatory/inhibitory equilibrium. My research focuses on using intracortical micro-stimulation (ICMS) to modulate oligodendrocyte calcium activity to promote myelin regeneration and enhance the maturation and differentiation of glial cells. During my PhD, I intend to propose oligodendrocyte modulation as an innovative method to rectify metabolic imbalances in psychiatric disorders and explore its potential for regenerative neurotherapy.

 I graduated from Florida International University (FIU) with a B.S. in Biochemistry. In Dr. Stephen Winkle’s lab, my research focused on the binding selectivity of melatonin to DNA and its potential post-binding harmful effects. After graduation I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioengineering with a focus on Neural Engineering to broaden my approach to answering neuroscientific questions. I am excited to explore neuromodulation techniques and leverage them to develop more effective and accessible treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.