Dr. Ana Estevez
I am a neuroscientist with research interests in ion channel physiology and neurodegeneration. I earned a B.S. in Psychobiology from Binghamton University and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Wayne State University. I was a postdoctoral fellow and research assistant professor at Vanderbilt University medical center prior to coming to St. Lawrence University in 2005. I teach Introductory and Advanced Neuroscience as well as the upper level electives Cellular Mechanisms of Memory and Drugs and the Brain. In my research, I use the small nematode worm C. elegans as a model system to identify cellular signaling pathways that could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of stroke, addiction or pain. Because students are an integral part of my research program, I typically have several working with me every semester. I serve the university as a member of the Health Careers Committee and as the faculty advisor for Beta Beta Beta, the Biology Honorary. In addition, I help to organize Brain Blast, an annual event held in the lobby of the Johnson Hall of Science to celebrate national brain awareness week. Brain Blast features SLU students and neuroscience faculty from the Biology and Psychology departments leading various hands-on and interactive exhibits that highlight the wide variety of neuroscience research being conducted at SLU and teach individuals of all ages about brain function. Our goals are to increase public awareness of the benefits and progress of brain research and to hopefully inspire and excite the neuroscientists of tomorrow.
