Laura Alacán Ricardo

EDUCATION

College / University

University of Medical Sciences of Havana

Highest Degree

Medical Doctor (MD), Specialist in Physiology

Major Subjects

Human Medicine, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Clinical Neurophysiology

Country

Cuba

Lab Experience

Rat handling, behavioral tests, rat brain and hippocampus dissection. Basic experience in immunohistochemistry, microscopy and stereotaxic surgery. Neurophysiological tests in human: EEG, Evoked Potential, PSG. Basic experience with Image J, GraphPad Prism and MATLAB.

Projects / Research

2018 – 2023: Effect of erythropoietin on consolidation of spatial memory in rats. Dept. of Experimental Neurophysiology, International Center of Neurological Restoration
2018 – 2022: Effect of BLA stimulation on consolidation of spatial memory in rats. Dept. of Experimental Neurophysiology, International Center of Neurological Restoration
2015 – 2020: Effect of meditation on mental health. University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuban Neuroscience Center
2013 – 2014: Characterization of the occlusion effect through ASSR in normal-hearing adults. Cuban Neuroscience Center

Scholarships / Awards

2023 – 2024:

Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

The complexity of the brain and its functions have fascinated me since I was a child. I became passionate about the brain and understanding the mechanisms that govern our perceptions, thoughts, emotions and behavior, how the brain makes us who we are. My research experience lies in study of neuroplasticity mechanisms involved in learning and memory processes and how they can be modulated. I am also deeply interested in Cognitive Neuroscience from perceptions and attention to consciousness. My major research interests are to understand the basis of learning process and decision-making, and how neural plasticity improves perception and task performance. My goal is to become skillful in the use of electrophysiology, imaging techniques and computational neuroscience tools.