Anita Quintana Leading in Neural development
🔬 Dr. Anita Quintana is an accomplished scientist and educator, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso in the Department of Biological Sciences since 2021. With a Ph.D. in Neural Development and Biomedical Sciences with Distinction from the University of New Mexico in 2010, her expertise lies in the intricate realm of neural development. Prior to her current role, Dr. Quintana held the position of Assistant Professor from 2015 to 2021 in the same department. A dedicated academic, she has made significant contributions to the field, blending research and teaching seamlessly. Her passion for unraveling the mysteries of neural development is evident in her impactful work and commitment to shaping the next generation of scientists. 🧠👩🔬 📚🔬
Profile:
Education:
🎓 Dr. Anita Quintana boasts an impressive educational journey that laid the foundation for her illustrious career. In 2010, she proudly earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico, specializing in Biomedical Sciences with Distinction. 🏆 This significant academic achievement marked the culmination of her dedicated pursuit of knowledge in the intricacies of biomedical research.
Prior to her doctoral pursuits, Dr. Quintana embarked on her academic voyage at New Mexico State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in 2005. 🌱 Her undergraduate years at NMSU served as the fertile ground for her passion for the biological sciences, setting her on the path to becoming the esteemed educator and researcher she is today. 🚀 With a solid academic foundation, Dr. Quintana continues to make impactful contributions to the field, shaping the future of Biological Sciences through her expertise and dedication. 🧬🔍
Work Experience:
📚 Dr. Anita Quintana’s dynamic academic repertoire at the University of Texas at El Paso reflects her commitment to shaping future scientists. From guiding students through the fundamentals of General Biology (BIOL 1305) to delving into the intricacies of Developmental Neurobiology (BIOL 4395), she enriches minds. 🧠 Her collaborative spirit shines in team-taught courses like Intro Neuroscience (BIOL 2340) and Adv. Topics in Mol. Biochem. (CBCH 4320). 🤝 Driven by a passion for research, she mentors through Special Problems (BIOL 4198, 4298), engages in Advanced Scientific Writing (BIOL 5301), and leads Graduate Gene Regulation (BIOL 6303). 🌱 Her dedication extends to mentoring theses, dissertations, and independent research, fostering a vibrant academic community. 🎓✨
Awards and Achievements:
🏆 Dr. Anita Quintana’s accolades and leadership roles illuminate a distinguished career. As the GRC Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship Awardee in 2023, she continues to break barriers. 🌟 Serving as Co-Director of the CPRIT Institutional Post-Doctoral Training Program and Program Director for the Biosciences Doctoral Program, she shapes the next generation of researchers. 💡 Notably, she received the Shiloff Family Foundation Award and was honored as Mejor mentor en ciencia (Mentoring Award) at Vanderbilt University. 🏅 Recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanic/Latinx Faculty, her impact reverberates through mentoring, research, and a cascade of awards that celebrate excellence in her students. 🚀🔬
Publications:
- “Leading by example: developing mentoring strategies to promote diversity and student success”
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 1 📖
- “Knockdown of hspg2 is associated with abnormal mandibular joint formation and neural crest cell dysfunction in zebrafish”
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 5 📖
- “Activation of WNT signaling restores the facial deficits in a zebrafish with defects in cholesterol metabolism”
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 3 📖
- “Hcfc1a regulates neural precursor proliferation and asxl1 expression in the developing brain”
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 5 📖
- “Abnormal expression of GABAA receptor subunits and hypomotility upon loss of gabra1 in zebrafish”
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 13 📖
- “Mutations in the zebrafish hmgcs1 gene reveal a novel function for isoprenoids during red blood cell development”
- Year: 2019
- Citations: 8 📖
- “A focus on polarity: Investigating the role of orientation cues in mediating student performance on mRNA synthesis tasks in an introductory cell and molecular biology course”
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 3 📖