Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
GRANTS
SELECT PUBLICATIONS
SELECT PRESENTATIONS
Languages
COMMUNITY SERVICE
WORKSHOPS
REFERENCES
Timeline
Generic
Raymundo D. Hernandez

Raymundo D. Hernandez

Atlanta,GA

Summary

Neuroscientist with over ten years of research experience in glial biology and neurodevelopmental disorders. Proficient in transcriptomics, in vitro and in vivo systems, and advanced cellular techniques, complemented by expertise in bioinformatics and advanced microscopy. Passionate about undergraduate education, with a proven record of mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and effective science communication. Dedicated to advancing neuroscience through innovative research and inclusive, evidence-based teaching.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Postdoctoral Fellow

Emory University
Atlanta, GA
02.2024 - Current
  • Focused research on glial development in the brain as it relates to health and neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Utilizing human-derived pluripotent stem cells and organoid models to replicate neurodevelopmental processes and study the effects of neuromodulator signaling (serotonin) on early brain development.
  • Applied bioinformatics and in vitro techniques for iPSCs, organoids, RNA sequencing, viral transduction, cell fate determination, and pharmacological interventions.
  • Developing expertise in genetically encoded biosensors, calcium imaging, and two-photon microscopy.
  • Research conducted under the mentorship of Steven Sloan, M.D., Ph.D.

Graduate Research Assistant

Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
08.2017 - 01.2024
  • Investigated astrocyte roles in brain development, maturation, neurodevelopmental disorder (Rett Syndrome), and neurodegeneration (Parkinson's Disease).
  • Employed in vitro and in vivo genetic, viral, and pharmacological techniques using rodent models.
  • Executed RNA sequencing and mitochondrial metabolism assessments to evaluate astrocyte functions.
  • Conducted Western blot, ELISA, PCR, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry for comprehensive cellular analyses.
  • Applied cellular and molecular techniques for confocal microscopy acquisition and morphological analysis.
  • Successfully mentored students who went on to pursue science-based careers as Ph.D. candidates, research technicians, and laboratory managers.
  • Formed collaborative partnerships with Rita Cowell, Ph.D., enhancing research outcomes under the mentorship of Michelle Olsen, Ph.D.

Volunteer Undergraduate Research Assistant

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
08.2012 - 05.2014
  • Conducted research on neurochemical mechanisms underlying drug use and addiction.
  • Evaluated the effects of lifelong stress on methamphetamine, synthetic cathinone, and alcohol abuse using in vivo rodent models.
  • Employed self-administration behavior paradigms to assess addiction patterns and outcomes.
  • Executed surgical implantation procedures while maintaining high standards of animal care.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in addiction research methodologies and behavioral paradigms.
  • Research conducted under the mentorship of M. Foster Olive, Ph.D.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
01.2019 - 05.2019
  • Managed grading of assignments, quizzes, and tests for Introduction to Neuroscience course.
  • Provided academic support by holding weekly office hours and leading review sessions.
  • Facilitated understanding by responding to student questions through virtual and in-person interactions.

Program Facilitator

Amazon.com, Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
10.2015 - 11.2016
  • Facilitated weekly hands-on and classroom instructional sessions as an Amazon Fulfillment Operations Worldwide Learning and Talent Development instructor for peers and leadership.
  • Designed onboarding materials and standard work documentation to enhance new-hire training.
  • Applied evidence-based decision-making by collecting and analyzing program performance metrics to improve learning outcomes.
  • Automated participant communications to streamline logistics and increase learner engagement.
  • Developed clear educational materials for diverse audiences, ensuring effective and inclusive learning environments.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to maintain consistency in training content delivery.

Education

Ph.D. - Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health

Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
12.2023

Bachelor of Science - Psychological Sciences

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
05.2014

Skills

  • Teaching and mentoring
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Curriculum development
  • Workshop facilitation
  • Learning management
  • Grant writing proficiency
  • Neurodevelopmental research
  • Neurodegenerative disease models
  • Molecular biology
  • Bioinformatics tools
  • Neuroimaging techniques
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration

Accomplishments

  • 2021 – Current, NIH D-SPAN F99/K00 ($446,669) awardee
  • 2022, Best Poster Presentation, 3rd place, Virginia Tech Neurodevelopment Research Symposium
  • 2019, Best Oral Presentation, 1st place, Virginia Tech Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Research Symposium
  • 2014, Summa cum laude Arizona State University graduate: 3.92 GPA
  • 2012, New American University Scholar scholarship awardee ($4000)

GRANTS

  • September 2024 – Current, NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) K00 (K00MH139443) , "Investigating the role of serotonergic signaling in glial development using human iPSC-derived organoids"
  • July 2021 – July 2023, NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative D-SPAN F99 (F99NS124179), “BDNF signaling via astrocyte TrkB.T1 drive morphogenesis and maturation of astrocytes, a dysregulated feature of Rett Syndrome”

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

  • Hernandez R.D., Wei X., Colafrancesco A.M., Dang D., Simmons M., McMeekin L.J., Basak S., Noel K., Zhou F., Lund F., Saad J., Cowell RM., & Olsen M.L. (2024). Parkinson’s disease risk gene, CD38, as it relates to glial function: dysregulation of astrocyte genes and bioenergetics as a result of CD38 deficiency. In revision.
  • Haring, A.P., Thompson, E.G., Hernandez, R.D., Laheri, S., Harrigan, M.E., Lear, T., Sontheimer, H., & Johnson, B.N. (2020). 3D-Printed Multiplexed Competitive Migration Assays with Spatially Programmable Release Sources. Advanced Biosystems, 4(1), 1900225. doi: 10.1002/adbi.201900225
  • Kahanovitch, U., Patterson, K. C., Hernandez, R., & Olsen, M. L. (2019). Glial Dysfunction in MeCP2 Deficiency Models: Implications for Rett Syndrome. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(15), 3813. doi: 10.3390/ijms20153813
  • Holt, L. M., Hernandez, R. D., Pacheco, N. L., Ceja, B. T., Hossain, M., & Olsen, M. L. (2019). Astrocyte morphogenesis is dependent on BDNF signaling via astrocytic TrkB. T1. eLife, 8: doi: 10.7554/eLife.44667
  • Lewis, C. R., Staudinger, K., Tomek, S. E., Hernandez, R., Manning, T., & Olive, M. F. (2016). Early life stress and chronic variable stress in adulthood interact to influence methamphetamine self-administration in male rats. Behavioural Pharmacology, 27(2 and 3-Special Issue), 182-184. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000166
  • Watterson, L. R., Burrows, B. T., Hernandez, R. D., Moore, K. N., Grabenauer, M., Marusich, J. A., & Olive, M. F. (2015). Effects of α-PVP and 4-methylcathinone (4-MEC), two synthetic cathinones commonly found in second-generation “bath salts,” on intracranial self-stimulation thresholds in rats. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 18(1). doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu014

SELECT PRESENTATIONS

  • Society for Neuroscience 2023, Hernandez R.D., Wei X., Colafrancesco A.M., Dang D., Simmons M., McMeekin L.J., Basak S., Noel K., Zhou F., Lund F., Saad J., Cowell RM., & Olsen M.L. Ectoenzyme Cd38 regulates gene expression and bioenergetics in astrocytes. Poster presentation. Society for Neuroscience. November, 2023. Washington, D.C.
  • American Society for Neurochemistry 2022, Hernandez, R. D., Holt, L. M., Pacheco, N., & Olsen, M. L. Rett Syndrome mice have aberrant astrocyte gene expression and morphological maturation during CNS refinement. Poster presentation. 52nd annual meeting of the Society for Neurochemistry. April, 2022. Roanoke, Virginia.
  • Virginia Tech Underrepresented Minorities Undergraduate Research Recruitment Mixer 2021, Hernandez, R. D., Holt, L. M., Pacheco, N.L, Torres-Ceja, B., Hossain, M., & Olsen, M. L. Astrocyte morphogenesis is dependent upon BDNF/TrkB.T1 signaling. Poster presentation. 2021 Virginia Tech Underrepresented Minorities Undergraduate Research Recruitment Mixer. September, 2021. Blacksburg, Virginia.
  • XV European Meeting on Glial Cells in Health and Disease 2021, Hernandez, R. D., Holt, L. M., Pacheco, N., & Olsen, M. L. Transcriptomic analysis across early postnatal development in healthy and Mecp2 deficient mice reveals aberrant astrocyte maturation in Rett Syndrome mice. Poster presentation. 15th European Meeting on Glial Cells in Health and Disease. July, 2021. Marseille, France (virtual).

Languages

Spanish
Limited

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • 2025, 22nd Annual DSAC Research Symposium poster and oral presentation judge at Emory University
  • 2019 – 2023, Community Outreach and Diversity & Inclusivity subcommittee member for the Neuroscience Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Association (NPGA) at Virginia Tech
  • 2021 – 2022, Video Editor for National Science Policy Network funded “Byte-sized Science” series
  • 2021, Co-led “Preparing a Scientific Poster” course for the Virginia Tech and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
  • 2028 – 2020, Elected Graduate Student Representative for the NPGA at Virginia Tech
  • 2019, Volunteer for the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience Science Festival booth “The Amazing Brain: A Hands-On Minds-On Neuroscience Experience
  • 2018, Volunteer for The Big Event community service project at Virginia Tech

WORKSHOPS

  • 2024, Responsible Conduct in Research
  • 2024, Emory Brain Organoid Hub Workshop
  • 2021, Evolving the Culture of Science and Training in Neuroscience to Meet a Changing World
  • 2021, Re-envisioning Postdoctoral Training in Neuroscience
  • 2021, Fostering Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity in Neuroscience Training

REFERENCES

Postdoctoral Advisor

Steven Sloan, MD, PhD | Assistant Professor

Emory University, School of Medicine

Whitehead Biomedical Research Building (375)

615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322

Email: sasloan@emory.edu | Tel. 404-727-7208

Predoctoral Advisor

Michelle Olsen, PhD | Director

Virginia Tech, School of Neuroscience

Sandy Hall (209)

210 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061

Email: molsen@vt.edu | Tel. 316-833-9911

Timeline

Postdoctoral Fellow

Emory University
02.2024 - Current

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Virginia Tech
01.2019 - 05.2019

Graduate Research Assistant

Virginia Tech
08.2017 - 01.2024

Program Facilitator

Amazon.com, Inc.
10.2015 - 11.2016

Volunteer Undergraduate Research Assistant

Arizona State University
08.2012 - 05.2014

Ph.D. - Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health

Virginia Tech

Bachelor of Science - Psychological Sciences

Arizona State University

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