Melissa Caras
Principal Investigator
Melissa received a B.S. in neuroscience with highest honors and B.S. in biology at Brandeis University, in Waltham, MA. She then took off for the west coast, earning a Ph.D. in neurobiology and behavior under the direction of Edwin Rubel and Eliot Brenowitz, at the University of Washington, in Seattle, where she explored seasonal and hormonal influences on auditory physiology in wild-caught songbirds. After graduating, Melissa moved back east to pursue postdoctoral studies with Dan Sanes at New York University, where she examined the effect of hearing loss on auditory development, and the neural correlates of perceptual learning in adolescents and adults. Melissa is thrilled to continue this work as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, and is excited to uncover basic mechanisms of sensory learning and plasticity. CV | Email
Matheus Macedo-Lima
Postdoctoral Researcher
Matt received a B.S. in biology from the Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Brazil. Before graduating, he completed a 1-year study-abroad program at the University of Washington Bothell. During this time, Matt worked with Rachel Cohen in lab of Eliot Brenowitz at the University of Washington Seattle. After returning to Brazil and graduating, Matt returned to the USA, to earn his PhD at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, working with Luke Remage-Healey. Throughout his career, Matt has been very active in science outreach as a contributor in the pop science blog Saense (for the Portuguese-speaking community), and as a communicator in the Skype a Scientist initiative. Matt is passionate about studying animal brains from a comparative perspective and is very excited to work in the Caras lab to study the neuromodulators that participate in perceptual learning.
Jéssica Winne
Postdoctoral Researcher
Jéssica received a B.S. in psychology from the Federal University do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and a master's degree in neuroengineering from Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute, Brazil. She earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience under the direction of Dr. Katarina Leao at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. During her Ph.D., she completed a doctoral stay program in the lab of Dr. Klas Kullander at the University of Uppsala. Jéssica has experience in calcium imaging and electrophysiology and is interested in investigating the neural circuits of auditory plasticity.
Rose Ying
Graduate Student
Rose graduated from Wake Forest University in 2017 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Linguistics. As an undergraduate, she completed projects on feeding behavior with Dr. Wayne Pratt. Most recently, she worked in the labs of Dr. Garret Stuber and Dr. Melissa Herman at UNC Chapel Hill, where she developed an interest in delineating the neural circuits related to addiction disorders. As a NACS graduate student under Dr. Melissa Caras, she looks to continue investigating neurocircuitry, particularly circuits involved in communication and auditory learning behaviors. Rose is an avid Netflixer, dog lover, and lacrosse player in her spare time.
Yoolim Kim
Laboratory Technician
Yoolim graduated from UMD with a bachelor’s degree in ANSC (Pre-vet). After graduating, she went to work part-time at a Cat Clinic in Boyds as a Veterinarian Assistant and received a lot of hands-on animal handling and husbandry experience. Yoolim is very interested in research, and is excited to start working for the Caras lab! In her free time, she likes to go out to eat with friends and watch K-drama.
Rakshita Balaji
Undergraduate Researcher
Rakshita is a Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological Neuroscience major at UMD. Her interest for neuroscience research was piqued by her work at the Keller Lab of Sensory Perception at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she worked under Dr. Jason Alipio and Dr. Asaf Keller on a project that investigated the effect of perinatal fentanyl exposure on somatosensory development in mice. At the Caras Lab, she is conducting independent research on perceptual learning toward a Biology Honors Thesis. Outside of research, Rakshita actively shares scientific knowledge through teaching and mentoring. As a member of the Rising Researchers club at UMD, Rakshita works with her peers to teach high school and college students alike about academic research and careers in STEM. She has also served as a neuroscience teaching assistant and is an ambassador for both the Neuroscience Major and the Honors College at UMD. Rakshita is excited to learn more about sensory plasticity and explore the neural basis of perceptual learning through her work in the Caras Lab.
Nicole Miko
Undergraduate Researcher
Nicole is pursuing a Biological Sciences and Public Health double major and Sustainability minor at UMD. She is currently on the pre-med track with an interest in continuing with research post-graduation. She has previously participated in genetics research in the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab at the USDA, studying the biosynthetic pathways of genetically modified tomato plants. She has also interned at a neurology clinic, which has expanded her interest in learning about the nervous system. On campus, Nicole is a member of the University Honors program and is involved with the SGA Sustainability committee. Outside of school, she enjoys playing soccer, running, and reading. She is excited to participate in neuroscience research and to broaden her knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie auditory perceptual learning.
Neema Aalemansour
Undergraduate Researcher
Neema Aalemansour is currently a Junior majoring in General Biology on the pre-med track. He recently had an internship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center working with a PI interested in urinary biomarkers for high grade vesicoureteral reflux, which sparked his interest in research! In his free time he plays a ton of sports (mainly soccer) and the piano.
Shakira Knight
Undergraduate Researcher
Shakira is a Neuroscience major at the University of Maryland. She is on a pre-pa track and is planning to specialize in neurosurgery. She is also in the Army National Guard. At school, she is involved in Red Cross, club volleyball, and the pre-pa club. She has experience working in a molecular lab at the Applications and Research Laboratory where she learned many laboratory techniques. In her free time, she loves eating sushi, watching anime, shopping for shoes, or reading. She is thrilled to get the experience of working in a neuroscience lab.
Keifer Cure
Undergraduate Researcher
Kiefer Cure is a neuroscience major at UMD with plans to move into neuroscience research, education, and advocacy post-graduation. Previous research experience includes work with the Woodson Lab at Johns Hopkins University studying ribozyme function. Interested in sound and learning from all perspectives, he is also a theatre major at UMD with concentrations in sound design, direction, and performance. Kiefer is a Banneker-Key Scholar and a member of the Integrated Life Sciences Honors College. Outside of his studies, he enjoys listening to and creating music, practicing HEMA and stage combat, and spending time with friends.