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Leonardo "Leo" Parra-Rivas, PhD
Team leader
Leo is the group leader and is passionate about understanding synaptic mechanisms in neurodegeneration and developing gene-based therapies. He is deeply committed to mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows and fostering an inclusive, collaborative lab environment. Leo earned his PhD and MS in Clinical Investigation from the University of Utah and completed his postdoctoral training at UC San Diego.
Outside the lab, Leo loves the outdoors and sports—especially biking, hiking, and camping—and is currently thinking about joining a soccer team. In his free time, he also enjoys watching soccer matches and going to live music concerts.
Daniela Requena-Gibert, MS
Senior Scientist and Lab Manager
Dani is an experienced scientist with a background spanning both academia and industry, and broad expertise in neuroscience and stem cell biology. She is deeply committed to mentoring and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, having trained numerous students, postdoctoral fellows, and MD/PhD trainees throughout her career.
Dani is also a strong advocate for women in science. She has served as Chair and Board Member of AWIS–San Diego, part of a global organization dedicated to advancing women in STEM. Outside the lab, Dani enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, knitting, and reading.
Juan Colberg-Martinez, BS
PhD Student Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program
Juan completed his B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Connecticut in 2023, where his undergraduate research involved studying the anti-inflammatory effects of novel antifolate compounds in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Juan is interested in researching the interactions between molecular chaperones and presynaptic proteins. Focusing on how their relationships are mediated at the synapse and how disruptions in these presynaptic mechanisms impair synaptic function and contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.
Outside the lab Juan is a passionate fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and enjoys playing basketball, watching sports, and listening to reggaeton.
Aidán Ortega Garcia, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Aidán earned his PhD in Neuroscience at the Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, where he studied the dynamics of cortical circuits underlying the pathological beta rhythm characteristic of Parkinson's disease. He is passionate about systems neuroscience, neural microcircuits, and their manipulation, and joined Leo's lab drawn by its translational neuroscience approach: integrating cell cultures, electrophysiology, and animal models to develop gene-based therapies.
Outside the lab, he enjoys going to the movies, grabbing a beer and catching up with friends, board games, traveling, visiting museums, and getting away to the beach or places surrounded by nature.
Vishu Sundaram
Undergraduate Lab Assistant
Vishu is a freshman at Johns Hopkins University, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in psychology. He is passionate about studying neurological conditions to deepen our understanding and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Outside of the lab, Vishu enjoys watching movies, listening to classical music, and playing Quizbowl. He also loves traveling abroad and is eagerly looking forward to his next adventure.
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