Mariana Celis Quintero

EDUCATION

College / University

Los Andes University

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Biology, Neuroscience

Country

Colombia

Lab Experience

Molecular and cellular biology, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, cDNA synthesis, gel electrophoresis, morpholino microinjection, immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy, zebrafish husbandry and handling, maintenance and characterization of transgenic zebrafish lines, image and morphometric analysis. Data analysis using Fiji (ImageJ), MorphoJ, TPSDig and R

Projects / Research

2024 – 2026: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Investigated the neuronal impact of SYNGAP1 downregulation during development using Danio rerio as a model of neurodevelopmental disorders; Developmental Biology Laboratory (BIOLDES) and Center for Research in Human Genetic Diseases (CIGEN), Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
2024 – 2025: Developed an undergraduate research project on neuronal organization following SYNGAP1 suppression. Presented the work as a poster at the XX Congreso de Ciencias Biológicas (2025), Universidad de los Andes
2026: Contributed to a large-scale Colombian family-trio study on autism spectrum disorders and human genetic variation, performing DNA extraction and molecular sample processing from blood samples

Scholarships / Awards

2026 – 2028:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarship – Neurasmus

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

My scientific interests lie at the intersection of molecular and cellular neuroscience, neurodevelopment, and neurological disease. I am particularly interested in how genetic and molecular mechanisms shape neuronal development and function, and how their disruption contributes to brain dysfunction and disease. My research experience in molecular and cellular biology, including the use of Danio rerio to study neural development, has motivated me to further explore these mechanisms. During my neuroscience training, I aim to develop a broader understanding of the brain through molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral approaches, particularly how molecular and cellular changes translate into alterations in neural circuits and behavior.