CIE Researcher of Distinction, March 2014
Luisa Torres
Each month, the Center for Inclusive Education showcases the outstanding research being conducted by one of our talented scholars in our Research Cafe series. In addition, we recognize this scholar as a Researcher of Distinction and share the details of their journey to becoming an accomplished scholar. This month's Researcher of Distinction is Luisa Torres, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. Luisa presented her talk, "Improving healing and recovery after spinal cord injury" on Friday, March 14, 2014.
Luisa's Background
Luisa was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia and migrated to the United States at the age of sixteen. She attended Oneonta High School for the 11th and 12th grade, where she spent her time learning English, familiarizing herself with a new culture, and preparing for college. Luisa attended SUNY Albany for her undergraduate studies, where she majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. As an undergraduate, she was actively engaged in research and felt a strong interest in creating new knowledge. She also had the opportunity to participate in Stony Brook University’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Summer Research Institute, which motivated her to attend Stony Brook for her graduate studies.
Luisa's Current Research
Describe the work you will be presenting for your Research Café.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that affects 12,000 people in the U.S. each year. There are three phases of SCI: acute (from the time of impact to the first few days post-injury), secondary (hours to weeks), and chronic (months to years). Current therapies focus on the secondary and chronic phases to promote healing and prevent further damage. However, little can be done to ameliorate the damage that occurs during the acute phase. I am currently studying the use of combinatory therapy to target both the acute and the chronic phase of spinal cord injury.
What was the deciding factor for you to come to Stony Brook for your graduate studies?
I was attracted by Stony Brook’s research environment, which I experienced as a participant in the AGEP Summer Research Institute. The friendly atmosphere of the labs, the willingness of the faculty and lab members to train and work with new students, and the wide spectrum of research topics made me choose Stony Brook as my graduate institution.
What are your future goals?
My goal following completion of my doctoral degree is to continue my training as a postdoctoral fellow in the area of neuroscience and ultimately obtain a position in academia.