Mentor: Darren Moore, Ph.D.

Research Focus: Investigating viral infection as a potential trigger for Parkinson’s disease

Experience: At Van Andel Institute, Vanessa studies the molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease, focusing on inherited forms involving the gene TMEM230. Her research uses various models to examine how disease-linked mutations affect cell function. She also has investigated the role of viral infections in neurodegeneration at VAI, studied the neurobehavioral effects of manganese exposure in a toxicology lab at University of California, Santa Cruz, and completed a biology internship in cancer drug development at a pharmaceutical company. Vanessa has contributed to ocean environmental health research and remains actively involved in science outreach and communication efforts in Grand Rapids and beyond.

Undergraduate Institution: University of California

Hometown: Aptos, California

Publications

*Completed during time as a VAI graduate student

*Mercado G, Clabout AC, Howland V, Arkin E, Janer AB, Plessers D, Steiner JA, Smith WW, Hannan T, Brundin P, Peelaerts W. 2024. Chronic urinary tract infections cause persistent microglial changes in a humanized α synuclein mouse model. J Parkinsons Dis 14(8):1559–1574.