The mouse shown in this photo has been a significant part of my research! Without an animal model to study Early Life Stress (ELS), my lab and I would not be able to quantify how ELS impacts behavior and short-term/working memory. In this image, I am preparing the mouse to undergo a task called the Spontaneous Location Recognition Task. I am marking its tail so that it is easier for me to recognize and keep track of the animal among a cohort of around 27 animals. I’ve really enjoyed actively working with the mice as well as becoming more knowledgeable about pose-estimation models and behavioral analysis methods!
My name is Tara Lago, and I am a Rabi Scholar and Laidlaw Scholar at Columbia University pursuing a major in neuroscience and behavior with a concentration in chemistry. With more than 3 years of research related to social science, depression, animal behavior, and computational neuroscience, I aim to study and apply the basic neural mechanisms that underlie human health.
I am passionate about helping my community, inside and outside of the lab. Whether that be creating inclusive programs for my first-year residents as a Resident Advisor or advocating for the freedom to read with the New York and Brooklyn Public Library, I seek to create supportive spaces that encourage intellectual, emotional, and social growth. After my undergraduate education, I plan to work in academic medicine, with the ambition of obtaining an MD-PhD in the future.
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You're brave for this Tara
Not all heroes wear capes haha :)