People

Email: constanza.cortes[at]usc.edu

Dr. Constanza J. Cortes

Assistant Professor of Gerontology

Project/Research Interests: Exercise, geroprotection and neurodegenerative diseases
Fun Fact: I used to be a competitive salsa dancer when I was a postdoc.

Jocelyne León

Research Technician

Project/Research Interests: Aging and Alzheimer’s
Fun Fact: On my days off you’ll find me at Universal Studios, Disneyland, or streaming a new show

Tiarra Joseph

Undergraduate Student, Quantitative Biology B.S., Class of 2027

Project/Research Interests: Neurodegenerative diseases, aging and genomics
Fun Fact: My sister and I have a 14-year age gap (she is currently in Kindergarten!)

Mia Hakian

Undergraduate Student, Human Biology B.S. with Real Estate Development minor, Class of 2025

Project/Research Interests: Alzheimer’s disease, exercise science, hippocampal neurogenesis
Fun Fact: I ran my first marathon this year!

Kailin Liu

Undergraduate Student, Quantitative Biology B.S, Class Of 2026

Project/Research Interests: Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiomics, and more to be discovered!
Fun Fact: I have an eyebrow slit! It’s not to look cool…more like the consequences of three-year-old me jumping on the couch.

Amy Huang

Undergraduate Student, Human Biology B.S., Class of 2025

Project/Research Interests: Effects of exercise and aging on the muscle and hippocampus
Fun Fact: I love creating new culinary creations through cooking (and attempting to teach my younger brother my recipes)!

Janeel Calzaretta

Undergraduate Student, Neuroscience B.S., Mind-Body Studies minor, Class of 2025

Project/Research Interests: Neurorehabilitation, exercise, neurodegenerative diseases
Fun Fact: I love any type of arts and crafts- currently learning to oil paint!

Karel Aceituno

PhD Student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program

Project/Research Interests: neuroinflammation, mitochondria, aging and exercise 
Fun Fact: I used to be an avid rock climber in undergrad