BUILDING (NEURO)BRIDGES

Gimarie Irizarry Martinez Receives Director's Excellence Award for Establishing NeuroBridges

Pamela Perez-Vazquez, Manuella Oliveira Yassa, Gimarie Irizarry Martinez , and Alison Santos-Marquez pose during the 2024 CNLM Spring Meeting at UC Irvine.

Gimarie Irizarry Martinez, a UC Irvine graduate student, has been awarded the prestigious Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) Director's Excellence Award for her exceptional contributions to the Center. Martinez was recognized for her groundbreaking work establishing NeuroBridges, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering neuroscience education and opportunities between UC Irvine and Puerto Rico.

Martinez is a graduate student working in the lab of Dr. Michael Yassa. Her research focuses on the intricate relationship between anhedonia—a symptom characterized by a diminished ability to experience pleasure—and episodic memory. By using cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques, Martinez aims to unravel the neural mechanisms underlying anhedonia, focusing on the connections between the locus coeruleus and the hippocampus. Her work not only holds promise for advancing our understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders but also paves the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.

Pamela Perez-Vazquez, a recipient of the NeuroBridges Travel Award, presented a poster of her research at the 2024 CNLM Spring Meeting.

Beyond her cutting-edge research, Martinez's passion for equity and inclusion in neuroscience led her to found NeuroBridges: connecting brains and boricuas. This initiative aims to enhance neuroscience education and opportunities for students in Puerto Rico. Collaborating with Neuroboricuas, a Puerto Rican non-profit organization, and the UCI CNLM, Martinez spearheaded efforts to provide educational seminars, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities for undergraduate students in Puerto Rico. Through these initiatives, Martinez aims to empower the next generation of Puerto Rican neuroscientists and foster a community of diverse voices in the field.

Martinez’s commitment to community outreach and service was inspired through her involvement with Fundación Huntington Puerto Rico, where she volunteered to support families affected by neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's Disease.

As Martinez continues to make strides in neuroscience research and advocacy, her legacy of mentorship and community engagement serves as an inspiration to aspiring Puerto Rican neuroscientists. Through her leadership and dedication, Martinez exemplifies the transformative power of scientific inquiry in addressing societal challenges and advancing human understanding.