Core Team

Brenda Bloodgood (co-director)

Brenda Bloodgood is an Associate Professor in Neurobiology, co-director of STARTneuro, and director of the Neurosciences Graduate Program. She teaches Human Physiology and her research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular basis of learning. She did her undergraduate at UC San Diego and transferred from Mesa Community College. She knows the challenges of being a transfer student firsthand and works with STARTneuro scholars to broaden their access to opportunities and create a more diverse and inclusive neuroscience community.

Ashley Juavinett (co-director)

Ashley Juavinett is an Associate Teaching Professor in Neurobiology, co-director of STARTneuro, and co-director of the Contiguous BS/MS Program in Biological Sciences. She teaches several classes in biology, including the Neurobiology Lab, Introduction to Python for Biology students, and Neural Data Science. Her research and writing on education and careers in neuroscience aim to broaden the field and encourage underrepresented students. Everyone deserves a place in neuroscience — she hopes that helping transfer students gain traction in the field through STARTneuro is one way to make equity and inclusion in STEM a reality.

Check out Dr.Juavinett's lab website: https://neuroedu.biosci.ucsd.edu

David Artis

David Artis is Dean of Undergraduate Research Advancement at UC San Diego.

Stanley Lo

Stanley Lo is an associate teaching professor in Cell and Developmental Biology and affiliate faculty in the joint doctoral program in Mathematics and Science Education at UC San Diego. His research examines the intersection of student identity, experience, learning, and career decisions in undergraduate STEM education. He currently teaches several courses including Introductory Biology Laboratory, Genetics and Racism, Scientific Ethics, and Learning Theories. In leading the education research and evaluation efforts of STARTneuro, he wants to ensure that individual lived experiences are centered in the design and implementation of program activities, thus supporting the success of transfer students in neuroscience research.

Learn more about Dr.Lo: https://biology.ucsd.edu/research/faculty/smlo.html

Kim Dore

Kim Dore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosciences. Her research focuses on what happens to synapses during Alzheimer's disease and finding ways to protect those precious connections against neurodegeneration. She thinks that fostering access to research is very important and is excited to be a part of STARTneuro.

Jason Avalos

Jason Avalos is the Student Engagement Coordinator for the STARTneuro program.

Austin Zuckerman

Austin Zuckerman is a graduate student researcher in the joint doctoral program in Mathematics and Science Education (MSED) at UC San Diego and San Diego State University. He conducts evaluation-based research to assess the outcomes of the STARTneuro program. His motivation for supporting the STARTneuro program is to learn how to model meaningful research and mentorship experiences for all students, especially students historically under-represented in science.