UROP Leader Information Submission: Submission #293
Submission information
Submission Number: 293
Submission ID: 22294
Submission UUID: 3cbd755e-9666-41cb-92f2-3da982736950
Submission URI: /urop-leader-information-submission
Submission Update: /urop-leader-information-submission?token=md3fPlLodA7c68cWnX_PrFoW0uDywWoAIJz4HzHmFL8
Created: Fri, 04/17/2026 - 10:13 AM
Completed: Sun, 04/19/2026 - 07:01 PM
Changed: Sun, 04/19/2026 - 07:32 PM
Remote IP address: 2607:fb91:5201:e2d1:c5f0:b6bf:20d4:416d
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Webform: UROP Leaders Information
Submitted to: UROP Leader Information Submission
Sofia
Lopez Villaba
Sofia Lopez
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Winter Park, FL, USA
sil23b@fsu.edu
Yes
Biology and Public Health
Chemistry and Psychology
Fall, 2028
My current research in the Nowakowski Lab at FSU's College of Medicine focuses on neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury, with an emphasis on how endothelial cells respond to myelin debris. Much of the long-term damage from spinal cord injury stems from secondary processes such as inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, I study how these cells contribute to injury progression and tissue remodeling. My work consists of assisting with surgical procedures and post-operative care of mice, as well as using techniques like immunocytochemistry and confocal imaging to analyze markers of endothelial function and activation.
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How do you hope to impact your students as a UROP Leader?
I want to help students find research opportunities and expand their academic horizons, especially early in their college experience. Starting out can feel overwhelming, so I hope to make the process more approachable by sharing what I’ve learned and helping them navigate where to start. Research in any discipline is an incredibly fulfilling and enriching experience. Whether students intend to pursue a career in research or only do so for the term, the fundamental skills of investigation will serve them regardless of their career aspirations. I hope to be a part of their investigation and help them grow skills that will be useful for their academic careers.
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2026
No
https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-leader-information-submission?element_parents=elements/headshot&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=md3fPlLodA7c68cWnX_PrFoW0uDywWoAIJz4HzHmFL8
2024-2025 and 2025-2026