Meet Our Team

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Rocío began her scientific path at UNAM’s Instituto de Biotecnología in Mexico, where she studied calcium channels involved in human sperm motility with Dr. Takuya Nishigaki and Dr. Alberto Darszon during her undergraduate and master’s training. To deepen her understanding of ion channels, she pursued a Ph.D. at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin, Germany, with Dr. Gary Lewin and Dr. Kate Poole, investigating chondrocyte mechanotransduction and the roles of TRPV4 and PIEZO1. As a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Ardem Patapoutian at Scripps Research in San Diego, California, she explored the physiological functions of PIEZO channels, discovering a role for PIEZO2 in gut physiology and contributing to projects on mechanosensation in adipose and reproductive tissues. Now leading her own lab, she studies how sensory and enteric neurons coordinate gut–brain communication. Outside the lab, Rocío enjoys making pottery and taking long walks with Chequis, her feisty Chihuahua mix.

UNDERGRAD INTERN

Ariana is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago studying Public Health with a focus on epidemiology, infectious diseases, and global health. She is an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Rocío Servín-Vences’ lab, where she contributes to projects on gut–brain communication and mechanosensory pathways. When she’s not in the lab, Ariana enjoys reading, discovering new authors, or catching episodes of Gilmore Girls.

UNDERGRAD INTERN

Jonathan is a junior at the University of Illinois Chicago studying Nursing, with plans to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). He is also minoring in Kinesiology and contributes to projects in Dr. Rocío Servín-Vences’ lab focused on gut–brain communication and mechanosensory pathways. Outside the lab, he enjoys going to the gym, trying new foods, and serving as an executive board member in the Student Activities Board, where he helps plan campus events.

UNDERGRAD INTERN

Hannah is a senior at Northwestern University studying neuroscience and global health. She is an undergraduate researcher in the lab, where she contributes to projects examining neuropeptides involved in enteric nervous system function and gut-brain communication. In her free time, you can find her reading, playing volleyball and trying out new recipes in the kitchen

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