Fernando Aguilar Ortega

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Education

• Minnesota Inclusive Neuroscience Development Scholars (MINDS) Program, Minneapolis, MN
  Two year post-baccalaureate program in neuroscience: July 2022 - Present
  Conducting substantial laboratory research that encourages both intellectual and technical growth, facilitating confidence in lab settings.
  Gaining hands-on experience in delivering research outcomes through poster presentations, oral presentations, and publications.
  Receiving individualized mentorship and professional skill development with the goal of becoming a future leader in neuroscience.
  Aiming to increase access to meaningful research experiences and develop skills necessary for a successful career in neuroscience.


• University of Washington eScience Institute, Seattle, Washington
  Neurohackademy - Intensive dMRI summer course: August 7-18, 2023
  Developed expertise in using various technologies for the analysis of human neuroscience data, with a focus on the shareability and reproducibility of results.
  Immersed myself in a robust learning experience through active participation in hands-on lectures, in-depth Q&A discussions.


• DIPY Online Workshop 2023, Virtual
  Diffusion Imaging in Python program: April 24-28, 2023
  Engaged in a comprehensive online workshop, designed to sharpen skills and deepen knowledge in the realm of structural and diffusion imaging.
  Reinforced theoretical foundations and practical applications of diffusion imaging, enhancing expertise in key areas such as diffusion theory, data pre-processing, and fiber tracking.
  Enriched professional network through meaningful interactions with like-minded peers, fostering collaborative relationships in the field.


• St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
  Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Psychology Neuroscience Concentration: Fall 2018 - Spring 2022
  Successfully completed an interdisciplinary course load, deepening understanding of biological and psychological principles and their intersection within neuroscience.
  Undertook intensive laboratory coursework, developing practical skills in scientific experimentation and data analysis.
  Enhanced understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders through a concentration in neuroscience, setting the groundwork for future research ambitions.

Research

• University of Minnesota Department of Neuroscience, Minneapolis, MN
  Researcher at Heilbronner Lab: June 2022 - Present
  Skillfully employ cutting-edge MR diffusion tractography techniques to elucidate the complex connectivity patterns of the posteromedial cortex (PMC).
  Investigate the intricate cortico-striatal connectivity of the PMC in macaques, providing cross-species insights into this essential brain region.
  Delve into the burgeoning role of the PMC as a critical hub within the default mode network (DMN), contributing to the advancement of functional connectivity research.
  Contributed to bridging the knowledge gap between in vivo imaging and ex vivo tract-tracing methodologies, thereby enhancing our understanding of the human brain's mesoscale anatomical structure.


• St. Olaf College Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Northfield, MN
  Undergraduate Researcher at Lee Lab: May 2021 - May 2022
  Investigated the behavioral changes in Ormia ochracea when introduced to alcohol in their food source, providing insights into the impact of substances on auditory and navigational behaviors.
  Utilized DeepLabCut technology for precise animal pose estimation, providing accurate tracking and analysis of fly and cricket behaviors.
  Employed diverse research methodologies, including psychophysical experiments, field playback experiments, neural recordings, and biophysical measurements of the fly and cricket auditory periphery.


• St. Olaf College Department of Psychology, Northfield, MN
  Undergraduate Researcher at Petok Lab: Sept 2021 - Dec 2021
  Conducted an in-depth examination of the influence of fMRI and structural MRI presentations on the perceived validity of scientific articles, enhancing understanding of how neuroimaging data presentation affects public perception.
  Engaged in all aspects of a comprehensive semester-long research project, from initial literature review, study design and crafting of the IRB proposal, through to hands-on data collection and sophisticated data analysis using SPSS.
  Recruited and facilitated data collection from 31 participants, ensuring the robustness and reliability of the research findings.


• University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology, Northfield, MN
  Summer Undergraduate Student Researcher at Dill-Macky Lab: June 2019 - September 2019
  Conducted research on plant pathogens, honing laboratory techniques such as DNA extraction and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays, foundational experiences that can be applied to neuroscientific studies.
  Acquired expertise in the use of sophisticated analytical methodologies, specifically Duveiller's (Duveiller, 1992) method, for the assessment and quantification of disease severity, equipping me with analytical skills readily applicable to the interpretation and evaluation of neuroimaging data.
  Synthesized and applied research findings to formulate effective disease management strategies, aiding in the reduction of pathogen impact on cereal crop yield and quality. Furthermore, these findings were disseminated and published for practical use by farmers, exemplifying the real-world implications and utility of rigorous scientific research.

Publications

• Ortega, F. A., Aarrestad, I., Dickinson, S., Lee, N.
  “Quantifying Behavioral Preference for Ethanol of The Parasitoid Fly Ormia ochracea (Diptera: Tachinidae).” Forthcoming 2024


• Monko, M.E., Hart, D., Ortega, F.A., Heilbronner, S.R.
  “The Posteromedial Cortex across Species.” Forthcoming 2024-5


• Wikle, A., Lee, N., Gallagher, J., Broder, D., Abdulkarim, I., Carlson, M.,Ortega, F. A., Tinghitella, R.
  “Behavioral and Neurophysiological Responses of a Parasitoid to Novel Host Signals.” Forthcoming 2023


• Draxler, B., Melby, A., Thao, J., Hart, K., and Ortega, F. A.
  “Emerging Writers, Emerging Activists: A Public Humanities Approach to the First Year Seminar” in Literacy Practices in Public Spaces: Opportunities and Challenges of Community-Engaged Research in Literacy Education. Forthcoming 2023.