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Our Beliefs
The Parra-Rivas Lab is committed to conducting rigorous, creative, and collaborative science aimed at understanding the function and dysfunction of the nervous system in health and disease. We believe that excellent science is inseparable from a supportive, ethical, and inclusive research environment.
We actively support the scientific and professional development of lab members at all career stages, fostering strong mentoring relationships and encouraging independence, curiosity, and collaboration. Our lab values open dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect, and we strive to create a healthy work environment where everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered.
The Parra-Rivas Lab upholds and promotes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) as core principles. We are committed to building a lab community that welcomes scientists from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Bigotry, discrimination, or harassment of any kind is not tolerated.
We recognize that failure and frustration are integral parts of the scientific process. We aim to acknowledge these challenges openly, learn from them, and grow together as scientists. Our goal is to make science accessible, inclusive, and honest, while training the next generation of neuroscientists to practice research with integrity and care.
A top priority of the lab is to promptly address trainee needs and support individual career goals, whether in academia, industry, or alternative scientific paths. We strongly encourage communication, organization, motivation, respect, and commitment as shared values that enable everyone to succeed.
Ultimately, we believe that fostering a healthy, supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment—where people feel accomplished and valued—is the best foundation for doing science at the highest level.
Scientific Approach
Scientific Approach
We believe that hypothesis-driven research is the most powerful framework for advancing scientific understanding. In the Parra-Rivas Lab, students and trainees are trained to rigorously formulate, test, and refine hypotheses derived from existing literature, theory, and preliminary data. Importantly, hypotheses are treated as tools to be challenged—not ideas to be defended. Our goal is to disprove hypotheses whenever possible, allowing robust ideas to survive and evolve.
Working hypotheses that withstand experimental testing are carried forward, expanded, and integrated into broader conceptual frameworks. While we recognize the important role of discovery-based science, particularly in generating transformative datasets or uncovering unexpected phenomena, we also acknowledge its limitations. Large-scale, unbiased approaches can be resource-intensive, paradigm-shifting discoveries are rare, and interpretation often ultimately requires hypothesis-driven validation. We therefore prioritize a balanced but hypothesis-centered approach, where discovery informs mechanism and mechanism drives progress.
Career & Professional Development
Career & Professional Development
At the Parra-Rivas Lab, supporting the career growth of every lab member is a top priority. We view scientific careers not as linear pipelines, but as braided rivers with many paths and possibilities. Success is defined by your individual goals, values, and aspirations.
Training in the lab goes beyond technical expertise. You will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, writing, and technological skills—all of which are valuable across academia, industry, policy, education, and beyond. Lab members are encouraged to pursue independent ideas, apply for funding, build collaborations, attend conferences, and present their work in both semi-formal (lab meetings, journal clubs) and formal (seminars, national and international conferences) settings.
Development and expansion of your knowledge base is essential for success in science. Dr. Parra-Rivas believes that while it is critical to know your chosen field in depth, it is equally important to stay informed about broader advances in neuroscience, including neuronal cell biology, mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and innovations in research tools. Trainees achieve this through regular local journal clubs and seminars, where they are expected to actively participate and present, as well as through national and international conferences, where they present research, gain feedback, and are exposed to cutting-edge discoveries. The lab also participates in collaborative journal clubs, including those focused on neurodegeneration, providing opportunities to engage with research from other labs and broaden scientific perspectives.
Trainees are also actively involved in manuscript and grant preparation under the mentorship of Dr. Parra-Rivas and may participate in the peer-review process as appropriate. Scientific writing is a major focus, with careful mentorship to help you communicate your ideas clearly, rigorously, and professionally. Through these opportunities, lab members learn how science is done—with rigor, creativity, integrity, and resilience—while preparing for whatever career path they choose.
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