Desired Job Title
Research TechnicianLab TechnicianWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteLocation: Boston, MA
Open to relocation: Yes
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Daniela Peña
Boston
Work Preference
Summary
Recent neuroscience graduate with departmental honors from Wheaton College, driven by a strong passion for behavioral neuroscience, mental health research, and the study of neurobiology of mental disorders. I have hands-on experience in animal care, behavioral testing, immunohistochemistry, tissue analysis, grant writing, experimental design, and scientific presentation. Eager to contribute to neuroscience research opportunities focused on neurobiology, addiction, and psychopharmacology. Committed to advancing understanding in these areas through innovative research and collaboration.
Work History
Research Assistant - Honors Thesis
Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory | Wheaton College (MA)
Norton, MA
08.2025 - 05.2026
- Designed and conducted an honors thesis investigating the effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress on socioemotional behaviors and orexin neuron expression in adult male and female Wistar rats.
- Developed study protocols, prepared IACUC submissions, managed animal care, collected and analyzed behavioral data using AnyMaze and GraphPad Prism.
- Optimized and performed immunohistochemical protocols to assess stress-related changes in hypothalamic neurons.
- Drafted and submitted undergraduate research grant applications to secure funding for the project.
- Conducted literature reviews to support hypothesis development and identify gaps in existing knowledge.
- Presented findings at the Northeast Undergraduate and Graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience (NEURON) Conference, Quinnipiac University, CT (2026).
Summer Research Assistant
Neuroendocrinology & Behavior Laboratory | University of Massachusetts
Boston, MA
06.2025 - 08.2025
- Contributed to studies investigating sex differences in probiotic-mediated modulation of anxiety-like behavior, stress hormone reactivity, and fear extinction in rats.
- Collaborated in the design and implementation of image analysis methods for improved data collection and to ensure accurate analysis.
- Assisted in fear conditioning paradigms, behavioral testing, estrous cycle tracking, oral treatment administration, and monitoring of experimental animals.
- Collected biological samples and assisted with molecular and histological analyses (ELISAs and DNA extraction).
- Processed brain tissue and quantified fluorescence imaging data using ImageJ.
Remote Research Assistant
Department of Neuroscience | Yale School of Medicine
Remote
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Contributed to a systematic review examining sex differences in neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease.
- Screened, extracted, and synthesized data from peer-reviewed studies following PRISMA guidelines.
- Managed references and research records of 500+ scientific articles across databases.
Research Intern
Neuroscience & Behavior Laboratory | Los Andes University
Bogotá, Colombia
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Contributed to a project examining the effects of psilocybin on behavior and synaptic plasticity in Wistar rats.
- Assisted with stereotaxic surgeries, electrode implantations, and EEG recording procedures.
- Conducted behavioral video analysis in AnyMaze; performed vibratome slicing, IHC, and confocal image analysis.
Education
B.S. - Neuroscience With Honors, Magna Cum Laude
Wheaton College
Norton, MA05-2026
Skills
- Animal Research & In Vivo Techniques: Rat handling and care (Wistar and Sprague-Dawley), IACUC protocol writing, injection administration, transcardial perfusion, stereotaxic surgery assistance
- Cell Culture & Stem Cell Techniques: Aseptic cell culture, human pluripotent stem cell maintenance, stem cell differentiation, stem cell-derived tissue culture, fluorescence cellular microscopy
- Behavioral Analysis & Data Processing: Open Field Test, Elevated Plus Maze, Sucrose Preference Test, Social Interaction Testing, behavioral video scoring and analysis using AnyMaze, Solomon Coder, and GraphPad Prism
- Histology & Imaging: Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, cryosectioning, tissue mounting, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative image analysis using ImageJ/FIJI
- Softwares: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), basic Python, Canva, BioRender, Photoshop
- Languages: Spanish (native), English (fluent), French (fluent)
Certification
- CITI Program Training - Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research | August 2025
- CITI Program Training - Working with the IACUC | August 2025
- CITI Program Training - Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats | May 2024
- CITI Program Training - Working with Rats in Research Settings | May 2024
Timeline
Research Assistant - Honors Thesis
Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory | Wheaton College (MA)
08.2025 - 05.2026
Summer Research Assistant
Neuroendocrinology & Behavior Laboratory | University of Massachusetts
06.2025 - 08.2025
Research Intern
Neuroscience & Behavior Laboratory | Los Andes University
06.2024 - 08.2024
Remote Research Assistant
Department of Neuroscience | Yale School of Medicine
01.2024 - 01.2025
B.S. - Neuroscience With Honors, Magna Cum Laude
Wheaton College
Conference Presentations
April 2026 | Northeast Undergraduate and Graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience (NEURON) at Quinnipiac University, CT
Poster presentations:
- “The effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress on anxiety-like, depressive-like, and social behaviors in adult male and female Wistar rats”
- "The Effects of G protein-coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) Activation on Fear Extinction Memory in Male and Female Rats".
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Peer Research Tutor, 08/2025 - 05/2026
Madeleine Wallace Library | Wheaton College (MA) - Norton, MA
- Assisted students with all stages of the research process, including topic development and formation of research questions
- Guided students in navigating academic databases, developing effective keyword searches, and locating scholarly and popular sources
- Supported students in evaluating source credibility and strengthening information literacy skills
- Helped students create, format, and manage citations using academic citation styles and research tools
- Provided one-on-one peer support to enhance students’ research, critical thinking, and academic writing skills
Food Pantry Intern, 08/2022 - 05/2026
Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement | Wheaton College (MA) - Norton, MA
- Established and managed the campus food pantry serving a student population of approximately 2,000 students
- Maintained inventory records for 100+ products and organized weekly data tracking using Microsoft Excel
- Designed promotional materials and social media campaigns to increase campus awareness and student engagement
- Contributed to campus-wide efforts promoting inclusion, student support, and community engagement
HONORS AND AWARDS
Wheaton College, Norton, MA | 2026
Departmental Honors in Neuroscience
Taylor and Lane Social Justice Scholar
Sally Gale Gilman Award for exemplary qualities of leadership, scholarship, and service.
Lyon's Pride Award in special recognition of service, leadership and dedication to enhancing the Wheaton community.
Student Employee of the Year in social impact and belonging
Languages
Spanish (native) | English (fluent) | French (fluent)