UTEP Student's Research on Stress and Brain Function Wins Award at Hispanic Science Network Conference

In a significant achievement at the National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) conference, Paulina Vargas, a researcher in the Iñiguez Laboratory at UTEP, earned top recognition for her research on psychological stress and brain function, winning one of two best poster presentation awards in the social sciences category. "I presented research focused on the effects of vicarious stress, interpreted as psychological stress, on the role of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) signaling in the hippocampus of adolescent, female mice," Vargas explained. She noted that "BDNF is a protein that is critical for neuronal survival and growth and is often downregulated in mood disorders like depression."

In the Iñiguez Lab, "we are extremely interested in examining how psychological stress, especially in vulnerable populations like females and adolescents affects proteins critical for higher cognitive functions like learning." Her poster presentation was recognized for its contribution to understanding how psychological stress affects proteins critical for neural plasticity. "This award underscores the relevance of molecular underpinnings behind emotional regulation, learning, and especially stress-related psychiatric disorders," she added. Congratulations to Paulina Vargas!