I received my BA in Biology and Neuroscience at Carleton College in 2023. While at Carleton, I worked in Dr. Sarah Meerts’ lab, exploring the biological mechanisms of female sex behavior and motivation in rats. I also had the opportunity to work in Dr. Syrina Al Ain’s lab at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres, where I explored social differences in rats with congenital blindness. I joined the Gore lab as a postbac and now as a doctoral student in Neuroscience.
My current research focuses on the social, anxiety-like, and neurodevelopmental effects of perinatal exposure to NeuroMix, an endocrine disruptor mixture created in the Gore lab made to mimic our daily chemical exposure. My emphasis is on the use of ethologically relevant rat assays and living environments, with the goal of providing a clearer understanding of EDC effects in wild animals and humans.
I am passionate about learning new skills and tools that can enhance my research. This includes the use of machine learning software to analyze behavior and rat vocalizations. I also employ bioinformatics to explore the effects of EDCs on the rat brain transcriptome and epigenome.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy making jewelry, latin social dancing (salsa and bachata), and going on hikes with my partner Connor and dog Gideon. I am also passionate about social justice, trying to get involved in my community to foster equity and protect human rights. I am a proud Mexican who comes from a low-income background, and hope to uplift other low-income and people of color to pursue careers in science.
Relevant Publications:
Morales-Grahl, E., Thompson, L. M., Krishnan, K., Crews, D., & Gore, A. C. (2025). Sex- and Lineage-Dependent Transgenerational Effects of Vinclozolin and Flutamide on Rat Development and Behavior. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 10(1), bvaf175. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvaf175
Morales-Grahl, E., Hilz, E. N., & Gore, A. C. (2024). Regrettable Substitutes and the Brain: What Animal Models and Human Studies Tell Us about the Neurodevelopmental Effects of Bisphenol, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, and Phthalate Replacements. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(13), 6887. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136887