Alexander Esqueda

I'm broadly interested in neurodegenerative disease with a translational focus at the molecular level, and am currently being mentored by Dr. Sreeganga Chandra, working on the intersection of a rare lysosomal storage disorder, NCL, and Parkinson's disease (PD). I am also a part of the inaugural class of Wu Tsai graduate fellows, for which I am happy to answer any questions about the institute or fellowship. My previous research was in the treatment of Levodopa-induced dyskinesia by sub-anesthetic ketamine in a preclinical rodent model of PD under Dr. Torsten Falk's lab at the University of Arizona.

As a first-generation, underrepresented minority in STEM, I highly value outreach to demographics similar to mine, especially at the higher-education level. I hope to continue in academia and someday contribute back to my Latino community by opening my own laboratory and providing a space for URM students via outreach programs/summer internships where they can grow and be guided by someone who was once in their shoes as well.