When Avalon Amaya began college, she planned to become an elementary school teacher. Today, she is pursuing a PhD in neuroscience in WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, studying how maternal cannabis exposure may influence brain development, cognitive flexibility and decision-making.
A Vancouver, Washington, native, Avalon works in the lab of Dr. Ryan McLaughlin in WSU’s Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience program and expects to complete her doctorate in 2030.
What inspired you to pursue your graduate studies at WSU?
As a Washington native with an established neuroscience network in Seattle, I wanted to continue building on the connections and momentum I had developed in the region. I was drawn to WSU because I was already familiar with the strength and collaborative nature of its community, and after interviewing with the faculty and students I immediately knew it was the right place for me.
Can you describe your current research?
Currently I’m investigating how maternal cannabis exposure impacts neuronal development of the mesocorticolimbic system and how it relates to cognitive flexibility and decision-making. With cannabis use during pregnancy becoming increasingly common, but its effects on offspring cognitive development still not fully understood, our lab aims to identify the specific neural circuits that may contribute to changes in flexible decision-making.
How has your mentor helped you throughout your graduate school journey?
I am very grateful to have Dr. Ryan McLaughlin as my PhD mentor. He has really encouraged me to spread my wings and explore new ideas in the lab while simultaneously keeping me grounded. He’s always looking out for new opportunities for me to take advantage of and grow from, and it’s shown through the number of accomplishments I’ve made in just a year’s time.
What are your long-term career goals?
I would love to continue working in academia or other large-scale open science institutes where I can share my passion for research with the community. I am most interested in becoming an advocate for behavioral health, and my research on neurodevelopment and cognition provide me with a unique preclinical perspective to do so.
What has been your favorite thing about WSU and the College of Veterinary Medicine?
My favorite thing about WSU and the College of Veterinary Medicine has been just how welcoming and kind everyone is. When searching for graduate schools I really wanted to find a place that would treat me kindly as I grew into a scientist, and the university is doing just that.