The Team

Who We Are

Current Lab Members

Dr. Juan Pablo 'JP' Palavicini

Principal Investigator

JP has a broad background in neuroscience and metabolism with extensive training and expertise in the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and age-related diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and diabetes, with a particular focus on animal model systems and lipid metabolism.

Aside from doing research and writing manuscripts and grants, JP loves traveling with his family, playing and watching sports (soccer, basketball, tennis, bowling), watching Netflix series (Lupin being his favorite so far), and drinking (in moderation) craft beers (stouts, porters, and hazy IPAs being his favorites).

(210) 450 3044

palavicinij@uthscsa.edu

Lab Manager / Research Associate-Senior

Victoria DeLeon

Vicki joined the Palavicini Lab in October 2025 with over 20 years of experience in preclinical animal research. She serves as our lab manager, overseeing purchasing, regulatory coordination, and day‑to‑day operations, and as our research technician, bringing extensive expertise in cognitive, metabolic, and geroscience-focused in vivo studies.

Vicki grew up in San Antonio. Beyond the laboratory, she enjoys reading, gardening, and attending live music shows.

deleonv5@uthscsa.edu

IBMS PhD Candidate (Neuroscience discipline)

Eduardo Gutierrez Kuri, MD, MS

Eduardo, the first PhD student to join the Palavicini Lab (Jan 2024), received his MD from Anáhuac University in Mexico City and his MS in Neuroscience from UTSA. He has been conducting research in this field for over 3 years. His research interests include neurodegenerative diseases, neuroimmunology, neuroplasticity, and molecular neuroscience.

Eduardo’s project focuses on the role of PLCG2, a gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk and longevity, in brain health and neuroinflammation. He passed his qualifying exam with honors in June 2025 and his thesis proposal in January 2026.

Eduardo grew up in Torreón, Mexico. Beyond the laboratory, he enjoys watching movies, sports, and tabletop gaming.

gutierrezkur@livemail.uthscsa.edu

Undergraduate researcher, Trinity University

Andrea Gonzalez

Andrea, an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience at Trinity University, joined the Palavicini lab in March 2024. Her research interests include neurodegeneration, behavioral science, psychological disorders, and neurochemistry.

Andrea grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Her other interests/hobbies are art history, religious studies, and watching movies.

gonzaleza65@uthscsa.edu

High School Student (BASIS Senior Project)

Lucas Orme

Lucas, a senior at BASIS SA-Shavano high school, is doing his Senior Research Project in the Palavicini lab March to May, 2026. Lucas is interested in the biology of aging and in translational research.

Lucas grew up in San Antonio. Beyond the laboratory, he enjoys ...

lucasorme23@gmail.com

IBMS PhD student (Biology of Aging or Neuroscience discipline)

Your name could be here

Interested in joining the Palavicini Lab? We are recruiting a motivated graduate student to lead a project in Alzheimer’s disease or the biology of aging, aligned with our lab’s focus on brain aging and dementia. Reach out to Dr. Palavicini to learn more about rotation opportunities.

@livemail.uthscsa.edu

Previous Lab Members

Gabriela Campos

Visiting Student

info@mysite.com

Laila Scroggins

HUADAR Summer Student and Undergraduate Researcher

Laila was the first HUADAR (Howard University Advancing Diversity in Aging Research) summer student to join the Palavicini lab (2023), while working on her Biology Major and Chemistry Minor at HU.

laila.scroggins@bison.howard.edu

Penelope Quiles

SPUR Program Student

Penelope was the first Summer Physiology Undergraduate Researcher Program (SPUR) student to join the Palavicini lab (2024), while getting her BS in Washington and Lee University.

Penelope's research interests include diabetes, neuroscience, and biochemistry.

quilesp@uthscsa.edu

Hamid Koroni

MSTAR Summer Student

Hamid was the first MSTAR student to join the Palavicini lab (2025)..

hakoroni@utmb.edu

Klarisse Echevarria

Product Designer

Klarisse, the first Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy scholar to join the Palavicini lab (2023-2025), is a talented high school student that will be working in the Palavicini Lab for 3 consecutive summers.

klarisse.echevarria@gmail.com

Tanvi Reddy

Summer Undergraduate Researcher

Tanvi, an undergraduate researcher majoring in Economics at UT Austin, volunteered in the Palavicini lab in Summer 2025. Here research interests include neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease.

tanvianumulareddy@gmail.com

Juliet Garcia Rogers

Link PREP Scholar and IBMS student

Juliet, a former UT Health Link PREP Alumnus and IBMS student, was co-mentored by Dr. Sarah Hopp and Dr. Palavicini from 2022 to 2025.

garciarogerj@livemail.uthscsa.edu

Adolfo Garcia

Plus+ Stem Scholar

Undergraduate student

Adolfo, a Northwest Vista College undergraduate student majoring in Engineering, trained in the Palavicini lab as a Plus+ Stem scholar from January to December 2025.

a.j.garcia012@gmail.com

Sydney Anderson

Plus+ Stem Scholar

Undergraduate student

Sydney, a Northwest Vista College undergraduate student, trained in the Palavicini lab as a Plus+ Stem scholar from September to December 2025.

sanderson218@student.alamo.edu