Laura Fontenas, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Growing up, Laura wanted to be like Dana Scully from the X-Files: using science to investigate the mysteries around us and pursuing the truth wherever it led her. She decided to study and train to become a developmental neurobiologist, researching how the nervous system forms and functions.
Tessa Dallo
Graduate student
Originally from New Mexico, Tessa joined FAU’s Neuroscience Graduate Program to investigate the mysteries of neuroscience to help treat neurodegenerative diseases. Her motivation stems from a curiosity to understand the mechanisms driving these diseases and translate this understanding into therapies that can improve patients’ lives.
When she’s not in the lab, Tessa likes to bake and spend time in nature.
Hannah Murphy, M.S.
Graduate student
Hannah is a student in FAU’s Neuroscience Graduate Program, interested in utilizing genetic tools to advance understanding of nervous system development and repair. Her scientific journey began in marine biology, but a growing fascination with neurological injuries led her to psychology and ultimately to neuroscience. Now, she’s come full circle working with the Danio rerio model!
Outside the lab, Hannah enjoys spending her time at the beach and with her pets.
Kelli Robbins, M.S.
Research staff
After more than 15 years of experience in molecular biology, accumulating countless hours of pipetting, Kelli shifted her focus to neuroscience in 2017, continuing to use Drosophila as a model system.
Since 2023, Kelli has added zebrafish to the mix and has been diving into the mysteries of a glial cell type that’s sparked a whole new level of excitement in her work and deepened her love for science.
When she’s not in the lab, Kelli is outdoors spending time with her chickens, dog, cat, and family – an eclectic crew that keeps her life delightfully unpredictable.
MacKenzie Tackett, M.S.
Fish facility manager
Sofia Aristizabal
Undergraduate student
Sofia is a Neuroscience & Behavior (B.S.) major, and hopes to contribute to the advancement of solutions for neurodegenerative diseases. In the long run, she wants to be involved in neuroscience research that helps us better understand how the brain ages and how we can protect its functions.
Outside of lab, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, but most of her free time is dedicated to horse riding, which is both a passion and a big part of her routine.
London Cohn
Undergraduate student
London is majoring in cellular neuroscience. His career goal is to be a neuroscientist/neurologist.
Outside of lab, he enjoys drawing, reading, spending time with his siblings, and traveling, especially to the New England area.
Mae Mincer
Undergraduate student
Samy Jeannot
Undergraduate student
Samy is an undergraduate biology major at FAU Wilkes Honors College and hopes to become a Physician or an Immunologist.
Outside of the lab, they enjoy spending time reading books, writing, learning how to play the guitar, and playing tennis.
Luis Campuzano-Aquino
Postbac
Scott Lafrance
Master’s student
The Fish
Danio rerio (zebrafish)
Past lab members
Simryn Patel
Kaleb Tinner
Destiny Collado
Ekansh Puri
Samantha Winikoff
Samara Abrahams
Addison Manofsky
Sophie Pharand-Dias
Kiara Fernando
Sophia Dallo
Riya Desai
Fontenas Lab 