Meet Our Team
Dr. Maria F. Gonzalez-Aponte
Principal Investigator
I'm a Puerto Rican neuroscientist fascinated by how brain tumors hijack the body's internal clock to grow, and how we might use that timing to make cancer treatments work better. My path took me from the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey to a Neuroscience PhD at Washington University in St. Louis, later to a postdoc at Mayo Clinic, and now to starting a lab at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras . I have always felt passionate about using science as a tool for equity and community. I am also passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists. I love building a lab space where trainees feel welcomed, supported, and excited to learn.
This could be you!
Researcher
If you're curious about the brain, cancer, and the body's circadian clock, or if you just want to learn about exciting science, we'd love to have you join our team.
Join Our Team
Career Opportunities
We're always excited to welcome curious, motivated students into the lab! No matter your background, if you're eager to learn and grow as a scientist, we want to hear from you.
Undergraduate students
We welcome undergraduates looking to gain hands-on research experience during the school year or summer. Students will be paired with a mentor and given the chance to learn real lab techniques, contribute to ongoing projects, and explore what a career in research might look like. Prior research experience isn't required, but curiosity and commitment are.
To apply: Send an email to mfelicita.gonzalez@gmail.com with your CV and a brief note about your research interests and availability.
Graduate students
We are recruiting PhD students through the Graduate Program in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico interested in studying the intersection of neuro-oncology, sleep, and circadian biology. Rotation students and prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out to learn more about ongoing projects and our lab.
To apply: Please apply through the Graduate Program in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, and feel free to reach out directly to discuss potential fit.