Alejandra Urquieta Pinaya

she/her/hers
portrait of woman with dark hair standing in front of a bridge over water

For me, home is: Bolivia, Brazil, and NYC

Prior degree(s): B.S. in Neural Science, New York University

Research experience before PiN: Investigated thalamocortical loops underlying working memory maintenance in mice, integrating circuit manipulation with computational behavioral analysis (Dr. Priya Rajasethupathy, Rockefeller University); developed an algorithm to find evidence of compositional planning in a macaque drawing task (Dr. Winrich Freiwald, Rockefeller University); studied the role of hippocampus in maternal suppression of infant fear in rats and the impact of early-life trauma (Dr. Regina Sullivan, NYU Langone Medical Center)

Current research interests: circuit-level mechanisms of goal-directed behavior supporting cognitive function, neuromodulation, and computational approaches

Interests outside lab: piano, board games, running, pickleball, pool, writing, sci-fi shows, alternative/indie rock