Margaret Eisenbrandt
She/They
I am queer and I am a developmental neuroscientist.//
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine in Dr. Margot Williams lab. I use zebrafish to study how genes patterning the future brain in early development contribute to cell movements and tissue morphogenesis.
My first research experience was in undergrad with a research study abroad to the Galapagos. One of my mentors, Dr. Marc Hanke, was also my Biology professor and was very passionate about research. He encouraged me in my efforts to further my academic goals and I began working in a lab on campus at the University of Houston until I graduated in March 2020 with my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. I did my M.S. in Biomedical Engineering also at UH in Dr. Fatima Merchant’s lab where I studied how 3D micropatterned substrates could culture ex-vivo models for ovarian cancer. While finishing my Masters I began working in Dr. Fabrizio Gabiani’s lab at BCM where my work was focused on studying escape response in grasshoppers as well as their phenotypic plasticity.
I currently serve as one of the Neuroscience Student Representatives on our Graduate School Council and I run the Houston Area Aquatic Models meeting which meets monthly and serves as an opportunity for trainees and faculty to share new and exciting research they are working on.
Outside of research I am involved in a queer climbing group at my local rock climbing gym. I also enjoy cooking, painting, photography, hiking and any kind of museum! I am also a dog foster and cat mom.