Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology ~ March 2025 Accomplishments Posted: 2025-03-31 Source: UCI School of Medicine News Type: Features & Briefs share Jasmine Chavez holds her LEAD award for Graduate Student Excellence. Trainee News Jasmine Chavez (Gall/Lynch lab) received the Latine Excellence and Achievement Award, in recognition of Graduate Student Excellence in Research and Health for the Latine Community. Jasmine also received the 2025 Norman M. Weinberger Award from CNLM, which supports an exceptional graduate student that embodies Professor Weinberger's high standards for doctoral trainees. Matthew Sandoval (Diaz Alonso lab) received the 2025 Jared Roberts Award from CNLM, which was established at UCI to support neuroscience graduate students attending the annual Winter Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Meeting in Park City, Utah. Rachael Hokenson (Baram lab) received the 2025 CNLM Director’s Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in research, mentoring, and/or service to the CNLM. Lara Taniguchi (Baram lab) received the 2025 Norman M. Weinberger Award from CNLM, which supports an exceptional graduate student that embodies Professor Weinberger's high standards for doctoral trainees. Alexis Madrid (Diaz Alonso lab) received the 2025 Friends of the CNLM Award, which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students conducting research in CNLM laboratories over the summer and recognizes excellence in undergraduate laboratory research. Faculty News – Publications Donovan Argueta, Bryant Avalos, Yugal Goel, Huy Tran, Yannick Fotio, Daniele Piomelli, Nicholas DiPatrizio, Kalpna Gupta. "Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of palmitoylethanolamide in sickle cell mice." Blood Advances. Matthew T. Birnie, Tallie Z. Baram. "The evolving neurobiology of early-life stress." Neuron. Media Contacts Matt Miller Director mrmille2@uci.edu Michelle Heath Manager mstrombe@hs.uci.edu Shani Murray Senior Science Writer shanim@hs.uci.edu Communications & PR Office Related Faculty/Staff Tallie Z. Baram, MD, PhD Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics Professor, Anatomy & Neurobiology Daniele Piomelli, PhD Director, Center for the Study of Cannabis Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Neurobiology