Lia Parada Iglesias appointed Assistant Professor at TNU
From 1 July, Lia Parada Iglesias joins TNU as an Assistant Professor. After several years as a postdoctoral researcher at the unit, she continues her research at TNU with support from a grant awarded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark.
Lia Parada Iglesias has been appointed Assistant Professor at TNU from 1 July, supported by a grant from the Independent Research Fund Denmark.
Below, she introduces her new search project
Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology of Fear Engrams
My research focuses on understanding the neurobiology of fear engrams and how fear memories transition from adaptive to maladaptive states. The goal is to identify the neural circuits, cell and molecular mechanisms that distinguish adaptive low-intensity fear memories from maladaptive high-intensity fear memories, and to determine how these mechanisms contribute to the development of fear-related psychiatric disorders.
Using translational neuroscience approaches, my research combines behavioural models, circuit and cellular neuroscience, molecular profiling and advanced neurotechnologies to identify the neural substrates of pathological fear. By defining the biological mechanisms that govern fear memory encoding, storage and retrieval, we aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets for maladaptive fear.
A central objective of the research is to develop targeted psychopharmacological strategies capable of selectively modulating maladaptive fear engrams while preserving adaptive fear memories. Ultimately, this work seeks to bridge fundamental neuroscience with the development of more precise treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and related psychiatric disorders.
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