The O'Dell Laboratory Members
Laura O'Dell, Ph.D.
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Luis M. Carcoba, MD/Ph.D.
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Omar Lira, B.S.
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Veronika Espinoza, M.A
PH.D. STUDENT
Veronika graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) in 2018. At CSUSM, Veronika conducted research in the Psychopharmacology and Behavioral Neuroscience laboratory of Dr. Keith Trujillo where her research focused on the locomotor response to the stimulant effects of various amphetamine-like drugs in adolescent and adult rats. After graduation, Veronika worked as a post-baccalaureate student at The Scripps Research Institute in the Neuroscience laboratory of Dr. Olivier George. There, her research focused on early life exposure mimicking clinical use of oxycodone in adolescents and how that altered drug-seeking and escalation behavior during adulthood. In August of 2019, Veronika joined the O’Dell Laboratory. Her research interests include examining the neurobiological mechanisms that modulate sex differences in the behavioral effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Fun Fact: Veronika loves to bake and cook new recipes every week
PH.D. STUDENT
Veronika graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) in 2018. At CSUSM, Veronika conducted research in the Psychopharmacology and Behavioral Neuroscience laboratory of Dr. Keith Trujillo where her research focused on the locomotor response to the stimulant effects of various amphetamine-like drugs in adolescent and adult rats. After graduation, Veronika worked as a post-baccalaureate student at The Scripps Research Institute in the Neuroscience laboratory of Dr. Olivier George. There, her research focused on early life exposure mimicking clinical use of oxycodone in adolescents and how that altered drug-seeking and escalation behavior during adulthood. In August of 2019, Veronika joined the O’Dell Laboratory. Her research interests include examining the neurobiological mechanisms that modulate sex differences in the behavioral effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Fun Fact: Veronika loves to bake and cook new recipes every week
Sebastian Ortegon, B.A
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Priscilla Giner, B.S.
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Tiffany Gonzalez-Gutierrez, M.A.
PH.D. STUDENT Tiffany graduated with a M.A in Psychological Research from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2022. Under the mentorship of Dr. Arturo Zavala, Tiffany investigated the role of the serotonin (5-HT) 1B receptor in nicotine reward in adolescent rats. She joined the O'Dell laboratory as a PhD. Student in the fall of 2022. Her research interests include understanding the neurological mechanisms involved in nicotine addiction, with an emphasis on age- and sex-related differences.
Fun Fact: Tiffany owns a black cat named after the first U.S. treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton. |