Elisa Pabon

Bio:

I grew up as a Colombian American in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. In 2016, I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. I went on to pursue a Neurobiology Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, in the human behavioral pharmacology laboratory of Dr. Harriet de Wit. My research focused on hormone-related variability in female responses to oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent within cannabis. After completion of my doctoral training, I began a postdoctoral position at UCLA’s Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Center, under the mentorship of Dr. Ziva Cooper. My postdoctoral research investigates hormone-related variability in cannabinoid-induced changes in impulsivity and cardiac activity across different routes of consumption (i.e., Smoked, vaporized, oral).

As a Colombian woman pursuing an academic career, much of my research funding has come from diversity-focused grants for members of underrepresented minorities. Many of these grants included programing and mentorship to ensure preparedness for academic adversity. Through these initiatives, I received invaluable training and gained several mentors, who served as essential supports throughout my academic development. These relationships and experiences drove me to participate in diversity-focused outreach initiatives, become more involved in community organizing, and actively advocate for underrepresented individuals in academia.

My long-term career goal is to develop an independent behavioral pharmacology research career, while teaching and mentoring future generations of researchers. I plan to pursue a faculty position at an academic institution deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and advocacy. I will use my privilege and resources to conduct rigorous behavioral pharmacology research, while also training and advising future generations of STEM professionals.