Leslie Vazquez, BS

Graduate Student

Leslie was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at the University of California, Irvine. As an undergrad, she investigated the mechanisms microorganisms utilize to transfer virulence and antibiotic-resistance genes across our natural environment. During her junior year, she transitioned into Dr. Elizabeth Head’s lab where she studied astrocytes in human post-mortem Alzheimer disease and Down syndrome tissue as an NIH-funded MARC scholar. After graduating, Leslie joined Duke’s Neurobiology program and later the Eroglu lab in 2023. She continues to love astrocyte research and investigates mitochondrial degradation in astrocytes as a co-mentored PhD candidate in the Evans lab. Outside of the lab, Leslie is passionate about creating new opportunities and inclusive environments for trainees in STEM. She also enjoys hiking, painting landscapes, baking, spending time with family/friends, and being a mom to her sausage dog Pepper.

Expertise

Immunohistochemistry, Confocal Imaging, human post-mortem brain slicing, Image analysis, cell culture