Projects
My projects are driven by the enthusiasm of understanding the physiology of the nervous system, to modulate its function and provide benefits during health conditions.
Project: Autonomic functions of the cerebellum, anatomy, circuitry and function
Role Title.- Independent research
In the last decades the cerebellum has been considered primarily as a motor and balance structure; however, recently there is growing evidence that points towards a novel cerebellar role in autonomic regulation.
​
​
​
The role of the Cb in autonomic functions has been associated with cardiovascular and orthostatic regulation, however, the mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated.
Our research revealed a new cellular population in the periventricular zone of the cerebellum, a neuroendocrine microenvironment. We demonstrated the functional autonomic fibers afferents to the Cb.
​
This project aims to study the mechanisms involved in autonomic control with relevance in cardiovascular function, specifically hypertension.
Project: Electroceuticals for the autonomic modulation of the cardiovascular system.
The harmonic function of the cardiovascular system depends on the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic functions, and from the humoral neurochemistry between central and peripheral centers. One of the main cardiovascular health conditions is hypertension, with more than 100 million people affected only in the USA. Dysautonomias and orthostatic disorders are also medical conditions that require urgent attention, as also are linked to anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Role Title.- Independent research
The canonical central pathway for BP regulation includes afferents from arterial baroreceptors, carotid body, and sensory cardiac receptors, which synapse in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (medullary cardiovascular center). However no-canonical structures remain to be studied and point toward new targets to ameliorate symptoms. A main research focus is the discovery of new networks related to autonomic control, elucidate their pharmacology and strategies of neuromodulation. The ultimate goal is to provide hope and better therapeutic solutions to those patients with autonomic disorders.
Project: Anatomo-functional mapping of central-peripheral nervous system for the use of neurointerfaces in Bioelectronic Medicine
Role Title.- Research Associate
Current projects are focused on:
- In-vivo characterization of extraneuronal and intraneuronal electrodes to interface peripheral nerves.
- Elucidate electrophysiologically the fiber composition on peripheral nerves focusing on organ-specific targets.
- Characterize at cellular and anatomical levels the organ-specific fibers involved in vagus nerve innervation.
Project: Wireless Neuromodulation of the Deep Peroneal Nerve for Hypertension
Role Title.- Research associate,
Our studies have demonstrated that the neuromodulation of the deep peroneal nerve elicites arterial depressor response in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). Our projects aim to implement less invasive neural interfaces, and optimize the stimulation parameters to significantly reduced the mean arterial pressure, our studies represent a possible treatment for hypertension.