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Minerva Contreras is a PhD candidate at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, specializing in the role of astrocytes in experience-dependent plasticity in the adult brain under Dr. Nicola Allen. Minerva currently holds the NIH F99/K00 D-SPAN Fellowship to support the transition from graduate studies to a postdoctoral position in neuroscience and participates in the Society for Neuroscience's Neuroscience Scholars Program. Additionally, Minerva contributes as an advisory board member for Colors of the Brain and serves as a show host for Complexly, which produces educational content. With a strong academic background, Minerva has earned an MS and is pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience from UC San Diego, following a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology Engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Professional experience includes roles as a teaching assistant and SPINES fellow, focusing on advancing diversity in neuroscience through training programs.