Our Team

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Anda Chirila, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Born and raised in Romania, Anda completed her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Jacobs University Bremen in Germany, and received her Ph.D. from Brown University with Dr. Julie Kauer. She then completed her postdoctoral training in Dr. David Ginty’s lab at Harvard Medical School, before returning to Brown to join the Department of Neuroscience in January 2025.

In her new lab, Anda investigates the molecular, neuronal, and circuit mechanisms by which sensory experience and internal state flexibly shape tactile feature representations in the spinal cord and brain. The Chirila Lab also studies how somatosensation is altered in chronic pain, developmental disorders and movement disorders.

Email: anda_chirila@brown.edu

Graduate Students

Valeria Brown, B.S.

M.D.-Ph.D. Rotation Student, Pathobiology Graduate Program

https://md-phd.biomed.brown.edu/people/valeria-brown

Terrence Ma, B.S.

M.S. Student, Biotechnology Program

Terence is a master student in Biotechnology at Brown University. He completed his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at UCL in London.

Outside the lab, Terence enjoys singing, baking, bouldering, and exploring new ideas across science, technology, and the arts.

Staff

Liz Nolan, B.S.

Research Assistant

A Colorado native, Liz moved to Providence in 2023 after completing her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Before joining the Chirila lab, Liz worked with Dr. Judy Liu at Brown University contributing to research on the role of ASH1L in neurodevelopmental disorders. In the Chirila Lab, Liz is excited to learn in vivo electrophysiology and apply molecular genetic tools in mice to study sensory circuits.

Outside the lab, Liz enjoys skiing, rock climbing, painting, reading, collecting records, and most importantly drinking large iced coffees.

Dianne Boghossian, B.S.

Part-time Lab Manager

Undergraduate Students

Smiling woman with long, curly dark hair in a black off-shoulder top sitting on a patterned booth in a restaurant.

Ciara Mercado-Alvarez

Undergraduate Researcher and Founding Member

Ciara is a junior at Brown University, concentrating in Neuroscience and Public Health on the pre-medical track.

Outside the lab, Ciara enjoys working out, taking walks with friends, reading, and watching sports with her family.

Santiago Barrera

Undergraduate Researcher