Pilar Rivero Rios

Research Investigator, Cell & Developmental Biology
Weisman Lab

Biography

I joined CDB in 2019 as a postdoctoral fellow for several reasons. One is the strong focus on cell biology, which aligns perfectly with my research interests. In addition, as someone coming from a different country, I greatly valued the inclusive and welcoming environment at CDB, which made it easier to integrate into a new academic setting. Another important aspect for me was the department’s emphasis on mentorship and career development opportunities for postdocs. For example, I have benefited from the monthly postdoc meetings, peer mentoring program, and teaching opportunities. 

As a PhD student, I used common mammalian cell lines to investigate the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. In the Weisman lab, I had the opportunity to employ cell models that are more relevant to neurodegeneration, such as primary hippocampal neurons and induced neurons derived from patient cells.

 

Areas of Interest

My research focuses on understanding how protein transport within cells—through a process known as membrane trafficking—regulates neuronal communication and how disruptions in this process contribute to neurodegeneration.