Meet the Research Team

Maria J Galazo, PhD

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology & Tulane Brain Institute

Belle Kantor

Lab Research Technician

Maria is from Madrid, Spain. After obtaining her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Autonoma University of Madrid, she moved to the US and became Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University and then Postdoctoral Researcher at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT.
Maria is broadly interested in understanding the interplay between mechanisms acting at the genetic, cellular, and network levels regulating neural circuit formation and the emergence of brain functions. 
Outside of the lab, she enjoys New Orleans food, long walks in Audubon Park, hanging out with her cats, and loves building stuff. She volunteers at Zeus animal shelter whenever possible.

Belle is originally from Westport, Connecticut, and joined the lab in 2024. After graduating in 2024 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology she became a technician. She intends to go to medical school with the hopes of becoming a neurologist and continuing research in neurodevelopment. Outside of the lab Belle enjoys reading, cooking, and, running or walking in Audobon Park.

Undergraduate Researchers

Kendall Cormier, Class of 2025

Kendall Cormier is a Junior from Mill Valley, California, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Spanish. She intends to pursue medical school after graduation and hopes to one day become a Pediatrician, as well as continue to work in research regarding neurodevelopment. Outside of the lab, she is involved in The Prism Project of GNO, serves as Director of Philanthropy for her sorority, and volunteers at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. She also enjoys reading and going on runs in Audubon Park.

Eshaan Tandon, Class of 2025

I am from Shreveport; Louisiana and I am a neuroscience major and psychology minor in the Honors program. I am planning to go to medical school and I am interested in becoming a cardiologist. I am graduating in 2025 and I am involved in ACEing Autism, India Association of Tulane, Peer Tutoring, and The Foundation for The International Medical Relief of Children. I enjoy playing tennis, reading mystery books, and playing violin. 

Isabella Kulstad, Class of 2025

Salutations! My name is Isabella Kulstad, and I am from Stafford, Virginia! I major in both Neuroscience and Mathematics, with a minor in Philosophy in the Honors program. Following graduation in 2025, I intend to pursue a PhD in an evolutionary/developmental neuroscience track, with hopes of continuing my research career in academia. Outside of the lab, I work with the Tulane SynBio Research club, and am the founder & CEO of Cloud IX, Inc. Outside of my activities, I love to dance, read, and code! 

Dylan Ratner, Class of 2026

Originally from Western Massachusetts, Dylan Ratner is a sophomore at Tulane University. Their academic focus is on psychology and cognitive science, with a keen interest in neuroscience. In the Galazo Lab, Dylan performs daily animal handling and motor function assessments on mice, both pre- and post-optogenetic device implantation. Beyond the Galazo Lab, Dylan collaborates with Dr. Richard Bedlack at Duke University, contributing to ALSUntangled publications and exploring alternative treatments for ALS. Outside the lab, Dylan enjoys activities like playing frisbee, reading, and crafting.