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
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.
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Vicki grew up in San Antonio. Beyond the laboratory, she enjoys reading, gardening, and attending live music shows.
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.
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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.
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Eduardo grew up in Torreón, Mexico. Beyond the laboratory, he enjoys watching movies, sports, and tabletop gaming.
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.
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 a member of the National Honor Society at BASIS and competed last year in the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair, getting 4th place in the Engineering division. Lucas is interested in the biology of aging, biochemical pathways, and translational research.
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Lucas grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Beyond the laboratory, he enjoys running in cross country, biking, and watching movies.
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.
Previous Lab Members
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.
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.
Hamid Koroni
MSTAR Summer Student
Hamid was the first MSTAR student to join the Palavicini lab (2025)..
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.
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.
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.
Adolfo Garcia
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.
Sydney Anderson
Sydney, a Northwest Vista College undergraduate student, trained in the Palavicini lab as a Plus+ Stem scholar from September to December 2025.