Monica Risley

Monica Risley is interested in better understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in protecting the fruit fly brain from neurological stresses including anoxia or oxygen deprivation and epilepsy. A key focus of her work includes uncovering a protein that alters recovery time from electroconvulsive seizures in two invertebrate model organisms. Risley is currently a fourth-year PhD student studying neuroscience at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, Florida. She has recently been recognized by faculty at FAU as an “Outstanding Student” in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. She holds in Bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from Auburn University and a Master’s degree in neuroscience from FAU.