Diana started as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience in January 2024. She holds a PharmD/MS from the University of Coimbra and completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield, followed by a postdoc at UT Dallas. Her research focuses on axonal transport and RNA regulation in neurodegeneration and peripheral neuropathies, using a variety of omics and computational approaches.

Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures through food, hiking, and spending time with her family, friends and cats Nala and Max!

Victoria earned her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She joined the lab as a PhD student in August 2025 and is supported by a Fulbright Scholarship.

Her research interests include neurodegeneration, multi-omics, genetics, and bioinformatics. Outside the lab, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and dancing.

Ivelize graduated from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil in Physiotherapy in 2008. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Fernando Pessoa in Portugal in Senescence, developing her research in the SensoriMotor System, Proprioception and Somatosensorial System in 2023. She started as a PhD student in the Fall 2025. She is interested in pain, stroke, afferent system, neuropathies, bioengineering, neurodegenerative diseases, sensoriomotor system, and the aging process. She enjoys her free time with her children, traveling to discover places she has never been to before, and creating fun memories with her family.

Sneha is currently pursuing a BS in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. In the Tavares Lab, she is working on a project involving microRNAs and their role in peripheral neuropathies.

Special Interests: bioinformatics, microRNA, gene regulation, neural plasticity, plants, environmentalism, climate change and Star Wars. 

Ryan is working towards a B.S in Biology at the University of Texas at Dallas and has been a part of the lab since February 2024. Currently, he is helping ongoing research projects. 

Outside of the lab, Ryan enjoys going on road trips to national parks, hiking and swimming. 

Areeba is a freshman at the University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. She joined the Tavares Lab as a Clark Fellow in May 2025 and is currently helping with ongoing research projects.

In her free time, Areeba enjoys reading, hiking, and baking.

Shaun Meppidayil – Undergraduate