Diana Jerusalinsky, Principal Member LATBrain
Universidad de Buenos Aires
Dr. Diana Alicia Jerusalinsky is the official representative of Argentina in LatBrain. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and has extensive experience in neuroscience research. Currently, she is a Full Consulting Professor at UBA and a Principal Investigator at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), where she leads the Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurotoxins (LaNyN) at the Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurosciences “Prof. Eduardo De Robertis” (UBA-CONICET).
Her research focuses on the neurobiology of learning and memory, synaptic transmission in information processing, and synaptic plasticity, with a special emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Additionally, she develops experimental therapeutic tools based on viral vectors and selective antibodies, as well as innovations for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions.
Alberto Javier Ramos, Alternate Member LATBrain
Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA)
Dr. Alberto Javier Ramos is the alternate representative of Argentina in LATBrain. He is a principal investigator at the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and a full professor of Histology and Anatomy in the Bioengineering program at the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA). Additionally, he is an authorized lecturer in the Department of Histology, Embryology, Cell Biology, and Genetics at the Facultad de Medicina of the Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Dr. Ramos obtained his degree in Biochemistry from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and his Ph.D. from the same institution. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships, one at the Universidad Austral in Argentina and another at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital of McGill University in Canada. His research interests focus on the glial response to central nervous system injuries, astroglial polarization towards pro-inflammatory and neurodegenerative phenotypes, as well as the cellular and molecular bases of epileptogenesis and its treatments.
Martín Cammarota, Principal Member LATBrain
Dr. Martín Pablo Cammarota is the principal representative of Brazil in LATBrain. He holds a degree in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Molecular Biology from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, where he also obtained his Ph.D. in Medical Sciences with an emphasis on Physiology. His academic training was further enriched by a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Newcastle, Australia, where he deepened his research in neurobiology and biochemistry applied to memory. Currently, he is a Full Professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, specifically at the Instituto do Cérebro, where he engages in teaching, research, and the training of future scientists.
His scientific trajectory focuses on the study of the neurobiology of memory, with a particular interest in the processes of consolidation, extinction, and reconsolidation of memories. His research spans molecular and neurochemical mechanisms to the pharmacological bases regulating these phenomena, using experimental models that contribute to understanding how memories are stored and modified in the brain.
Marisa Russo, Alternate Member LATBrain
María Pertusa, Principal Member LATBrain
Universidad de Chile
Dr. María Pertusa Pastor is the principal representative of Chile in LATBrain. She holds a BA degree in Biochemistry from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from the Universidad Miguel Hernández in Spain, specializing in the research of TRP ion channels in the somatosensory system. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Departamento de Biología at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile, where she leads research projects funded by FONDECYT and has also been part of the Núcleo Milenio en Dolor and the Núcleo Milenio en Enfermedades Asociadas a Canales Iónicos.
Her research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that determine cold sensitivity in mammals and how these may contribute to painful cold hypersensitivity experienced by some individuals due to peripheral axonal damage. Specifically, her research lines aim to identify the molecular determinants involved in the response to cold and chemical agonists of the TRPM8 channel, as well as to characterize the modulation of this channel by post-translational modifications. Her ultimate goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic pain and other pathologies in which this channel is involved.
Gonzalo Rojas, Alternate Member LATBrain
Clínica Las Condes & LABMAN
Fernando Cárdenas, Principal Member LATBrain
Universidad Nacional de Los Andes
Dr. Luis Fernando Cárdenas Parra is the principal representative of Colombia in LATBrain and currently serves as the initiative’s treasurer. He is an Associate Professor and Director of the Neuroscience and Behavior Laboratory at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. His academic background is in psychology, and he holds both a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Psychobiology from the Universidade de São Paulo. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety at the same institution, specializing in processes related to emotional memory and deep brain stimulation.
His main research areas include behavioral neuroscience, the study of emotional memory, and the analysis of neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Cárdenas is particularly focused on the impact of deep brain stimulation on emotional and motor disorders, aiming to understand how these approaches can offer therapeutic alternatives for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. He has been recognized as a Senior Researcher by Colciencias, highlighting his leadership and significant contributions to the field of neuroscience in Colombia.
Mauricio Nava, Alternate Member LATBrain
Colegio Colombiano de Neurociencias/ Universidad del Rosario
Costa Rica
Jaime Fornaguera, Principal Member LATBrain
Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias Universidad de Costa Rica
Dr. Jaime Fornaguera Trías is the principal representative of Costa Rica in LATBrain. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology from the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), where he also completed a Master’s degree in Physiology. He later earned a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences with a specialization in Neurophysiology from the Universität Düsseldorf in Germany. He is currently part of the Programa de Investigación en Neurociencias at UCR, where he has been a key figure in teaching and research, particularly in the fields of biochemistry and neuroscience.
His research interests include the study of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, focusing on the underlying neurobiological and biochemical mechanisms contributing to their development and progression. He also investigates mood disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, and how they affect behavior and neuroplasticity. Part of his research is dedicated to understanding the impact of environmental and social stimulation, examining how these external factors can modify brain neurochemistry and gene expression, leading to adaptive changes in the nervous system. Dr. Fornaguera also advocates for the integration of neuroscience into education, believing that knowledge of brain processes can enhance teaching and learning, fostering stronger cognitive and emotional development in students.
Oscar Brenes, Alterno, Alternate Member LATBrain
Universidad de Costa Rica
Dr. Oscar Brenes García is the alternate representative of Costa Rica in LATBrain. He is an Associate Professor and researcher in the Departamento de Fisiología at the Escuela de Medicina of the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) and at the Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias (CIN) at UCR, where he also leads the Laboratorio de Electrofisiología Celular and the Departamento de Fisiología.
With a background in Biomedical Sciences with an emphasis on Cellular Physiology and a Ph.D. in Neurosciences through a collaboration between the Università di Torino and UCR, his work focuses on the characterization of ion channels, such as chloride and sodium channels in relation to myotonic disorders, as well as calcium, sodium, and potassium channels in the study of neuronal excitability regulation. His research also includes the mechanisms of action of neurotoxins and the modulation of neuronal circuits through neuregulins. His contributions significantly advance the understanding of cellular electrophysiology and the neurophysiological processes underlying neuromuscular disorders.
Raquel de Souza Lima, Alternate Member LATBrain
Universidad de Costa Rica
Raquel de Souza Lima is the alternate representative of Costa Rica in LATBrain. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Science at the Universidad de Costa Rica and serves as a principal researcher at the Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias (CIN-UCR). She holds a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Universidade de São Paulo, where she also completed her undergraduate studies.
Her research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, with an emphasis on sex differences in the progression of these conditions, glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation, and stress and relief responses in preclinical models. She leads projects investigating molecular and epigenetic markers in Parkinson’s disease models, as well as ultrasonic vocalizations and histological changes in affected rats, significantly contributing to the understanding of the neurobehavioral mechanisms associated with these diseases.
Cuba
Pedro Valdés, Principal Member LATBrain
Laboratorio Neurotecnología Universidad de Ciencia y Tecnología de China
Centro Cubano de Neurociencias
Roberto Rodríguez, Alternate Member LATBrain
Dr. Roberto Rodríguez-Labrada is the alternate representative of Cuba in LATBrain. He holds a degree in Microbiology from the Universidad de La Habana and earned a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from the Universidad Médica de La Habana. Since 2019, he has served as Deputy Director of the Centro de Neurociencias de Cuba, leading research projects focused on hereditary neurological disorders. Previously, he directed the Unidad de Investigación y Rehabilitación de Ataxias Hereditarias, consolidating his expertise in understanding and treating Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (SCA2). Additionally, he is a Full Professor of Physiology at the Universidad de Holguín.
His research focuses on the neurophysiological bases of spinocerebellar ataxias, as well as the search for new biomarkers and therapies to improve the quality of life of patients. As part of his scientific work, he is an active member of several scientific organizations, including the Academia de Ciencias de Cuba, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, and the Global Brain Consortium. His contributions have been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including the Orden Científica “Carlos J. Finlay” and multiple distinctions from the Academia de Ciencias de Cuba, reflecting his dedication and impact on neuroscience research at a global level.
Honduras
Marco Medina, Principal Member LATBrain
Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Marcio Omar Madrid, Alternate Member LATBrain
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Dr. Marcio Omar Madrid Alvarado is the alternate representative of Honduras in LATBrain. He holds a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery degree and a Master’s in Public Health, and he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Nutrition. He works as a medical practitioner at the Hospital de Especialidades San Felipe and as a professor in the Public Health graduate program at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH). His career includes roles in the public sector, such as regional head of disease control programs like malaria and assistant to the Vice Ministry of Networks and Services at the Secretaría de Salud. Additionally, he led the UNAH Nutrition Program from 2016 to 2018 and, since 2022, has been advising the Vicerrectoría de Relaciones Internacionales, promoting global academic cooperation.
His research interests include neuroscience, malaria, cancer, and nutrition, where he has made significant contributions. He is an active member of various scientific organizations, including the Colegio Médico de Honduras and the Asociación Hondureña de Medicina y Nutrición, which he presided over from 2019 to 2022. He also represents Honduras in the International Association of Nutrition and Sport (INANS) and is involved with the Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Médicas y Derecho a la Salud (ICIMEDES).
México
Luisa Rocha, Principal Member LATBrain
Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Dr. Luisa Lilia Rocha Arrieta is the principal representative of Mexico in LATBrain and currently serves as the general coordinator of the initiative. She is a Profesor de 3E in the Departamento de Farmacobiología at the Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados in Mexico City. She holds a Medical degree and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Her research interests focus on epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, with a particular emphasis on developing combined therapies for pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Additionally, she actively collaborates with international researchers on various neuroscience initiatives. Recognized for her leadership, she has participated in renowned international conferences and is a member of the Neurobiology Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy, where she promotes neuroscience research and education across the region.
Jorge Manzo Denes, Alternate Member LATBrain
Universidad Veracruzana
Dr. Jorge Manzo Denes is the alternate representative of Mexico in LATBrain. He holds a Ph.D. in Physiological Sciences from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and a Master’s degree in Reproductive Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala in collaboration with CINVESTAV. His initial academic training was in Biology, obtained from the Universidad Veracruzana. He is currently a Principal Investigator at the Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales at the Universidad Veracruzana, which he founded.
His main research areas include the neurobiology of autism and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular interest in studying the effects of cognitive and motor stimulation on neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Manzo has made significant contributions to the advancement of neuroscience in Latin America and is a prominent advocate for neuroscience research and education in Mexico, actively participating in student training and international collaborations.
Panamá
Gabrielle Britton, Principal Member LATBrain
Centro de Neurociencias del Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología
María B. Carreira, Alternate Member LATBrain
Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología
Paraguay
Claudia Centurión, Principal Member LATBrain
Universidad Nacional de Asunción
Silvia Abente, Alternate Member LATBrain
Perú
Luis Aguilar, Principal Member LATBrain
Instituto de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
Dr. Luis Ángel Aguilar Mendoza is the principal representative of Peru in LATBrain. He holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville, Spain, and has completed postdoctoral fellowships in Neuroscience at the Universidad de Salamanca, Spain, and in Neurophysiology at the Universities of Newcastle, UK, and de la República, Uruguay. Additionally, he holds a Master’s degree in Neuroscience from the Universidad Internacional de Andalucía, Spain, and a postgraduate degree in International Innovation from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile. His undergraduate studies were completed at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. He is currently a Research Professor at the Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud at the Universidad Continental del Perú.
His main research areas include neuropeptidergic systems, sleep, cognition, and behavior, fields in which he has made significant contributions through his work as a researcher and professor at both national and international institutions. His research has advanced the understanding of neuroscience applied to experimental models, and he has participated in impactful studies on neurodegeneration and stress regulation. Additionally, Dr. Aguilar is recognized as an international speaker in his field and is actively involved in collaborations with multiple institutions across Latin America and Europe.
Emilia Gyr Morón, Alternate Member LATBrain
Universidad Católica del Perú
Emilia Gyr Morón es la representante alterna de Perú en LATBrain. Posee una Maestría en Neurociencias por la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), donde su investigación se ha centrado en los efectos neuroprotectores y neurodegenerativos, con un enfoque en el uso de alimentos funcionales y el estudio de síntomas parkinsonianos en modelos animales. Actualmente, cursa una maestría en Intervención Clínica Psicoanalítica en la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) y ha trabajado como psicóloga clínica con énfasis en psicoterapia psicodinámica.
Se desempeña también como asistente de laboratorio en el Laboratorio de Neurociencia Computacional Cognitiva de la PUCP, donde asesora en métodos experimentales y técnicas de uso de equipo neurofisiológico, como EEG, ECG y EDA, aplicados a la investigación de la cognición y el comportamiento humano. Sus áreas de investigación prioritarias incluyen las neurociencias y la psicopatología, enfocándose en temas como el estrés postraumático complejo y Transtorno Obsesivo Compulsivo.
Dominican Republic
Laura V. Sánchez-Vincitore, Principal Member LATBrain
Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE
Dr. Laura V. Sánchez-Vincitore is the principal representative of the Dominican Republic in LATBrain and currently serves as the initiative’s secretary. She holds a degree in Psychology, specializing in School Psychology, from the Universidad Iberoamericana (Unibe). She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Communication Sciences, Neuroscience, and Education from Columbia University in the United States. She is currently a professor and the director of the Neurocognition and Psychophysiology Laboratory at Unibe, as well as a full member of the Academia de Ciencias de la República Dominicana.
Her research focuses on cognitive neuroscience applied to education, with an emphasis on reading skills in diverse contexts, early childhood development, and mental health. Additionally, she has worked on high-impact projects in collaboration with international agencies, aimed at evaluating and improving literacy systems and early childhood development in Spanish-speaking children.
Hugo Marte, Alternate Member LATBrain
Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)
Dr. Hugo Manuel Marte Santana is the alternate representative of the Dominican Republic in LATBrain. He holds a degree in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), where he graduated with honors. He later earned a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology and a Ph.D. in Psychology, both from the Universidad de Salamanca, Spain, also with outstanding academic performance. He is currently a researcher at the Neurocognition and Psychophysiology Laboratory at the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) and a professor at the same institution, as well as at the Centro Europeo de Postgrado (CEUPE).
His primary research interests include cognitive neuropsychology, psychophysiology applied to the study of attention and cognitive load, and the use of technologies such as portable electroencephalography for the assessment of neurocognitive functions. Additionally, he is dedicated to mentoring students in research projects exploring correlations between psychological variables and cognitive performance.
Uruguay
Daniel Olazábal, Principal Member LATBrain
Unidad Académica Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina,
Universidad de la República
Dr. Daniel Ernesto Olazábal is the principal representative of Uruguay in LATBrain. He holds an academic background in biological sciences, having earned his degree from the Universidad de la República (UdelaR) in Montevideo, Uruguay. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Science with a specialization in Physiology from PEDECIBA in Montevideo and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences and Neuroscience from the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers University in the United States. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship and worked as a research associate at Emory University.
Currently, Dr. Olazábal is an Profesor Agregado in the Departamento de Fisiología at the Facultad de Medicina at UdelaR. His research focuses on Behavioral Neuroscience, exploring the neural mechanisms that regulate parental and social behavior. Through a multidisciplinary approach, he studies the interaction between genes and the environment and their relationship to behavior.
María Castelló, Alternate Member LATBrain
Departamento de Neurociencias Integrativas y Computacionales
Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable
Dr. María Castelló Gómez is the alternate representative of Uruguay in LATBrain. She is a Profesora Agregadoa de Investigación and principal investigator at the Laboratorio de Desarrollo y Evolución Neural, as well as the Administrative Head of the Departamento de Neurociencias Integrativas y Computacionales at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE). She earned her Master’s and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas (PEDECIBA) at the Universidad de la República, Uruguay, and completed postdoctoral training at the Marine Biological Laboratory in the United States.
Currently, she leads research on the development and evolution of sensorimotor neural networks, including the role of neurogenesis, the reproductive biology of electric fish, science education from a Science, Technology, and Society perspective, and the neurobiological foundations of mental health. Her interests also extend to scientific diplomacy applied to neuroscience and open-source technologies. Dr. Castelló’s commitment to education and scientific outreach has driven innovative initiatives at both national and regional levels. She played a key role in the inception of the LATBrain Initiative, helping to establish the foundation of this regional network that promotes collaboration in neuroscience across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Francesco Rossi, Alternate Member LATBrain
Facultad de Ciencias, Udelar
