WFUWake Forest University · Neuroscience
Cervera Lab
Rita P Cervera Juanes · Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Rita Cervera Juanes' lab studies how genetic and epigenetic factors in the brain influence the risk of developing alcohol use disorders. By analyzing the brains of alcohol-naive primates, the lab aims to uncover molecular signatures that may predict future drinking behavior. The research could lead to better identification of individuals at risk and contribute to personalized prevention strategies.
epigeneticsalcohol use disordercognitive flexibilityDNA methylationmolecular signaturesneural mechanismsprimate researchaddictionbrain function
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify molecular signatures associated with pre-existing risk for excessive alcohol consumption.
AIM 02Examine the role of DNA methylation in cognitive flexibility and addiction.
AIM 03Investigate gender differences in epigenetic responses in the brain.
AIM 04Expand the sample size to include more diverse subjects for robust findings.
AIM 05Translate behavioral findings into neural markers for broader addiction research.
Skills the Lab Values
DNA methylation profilinggenome-wide analysiscell sorting techniquesbehavioral phenotypingfunctional validationbiopsy samplingcognitive assessmentRNA sequencingdata interpretation in neuroscience
Output against the department
Publications32bottom 6% of dept.633rd of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations293bottom 2% of dept.656th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.