Natella Baliaouri is currently a 6th year graduate student in the laboratory of Dr. Bennett Novitch at UCLA. Their studies focus on using brain organoids, 3-D models of the human brain made from stem cells, to study Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder caused primarily by mutations in the MECP2 gene.
Their hobbies include keeping exotic pets – namely tarantulas and fancy rats. They also crochet, spend time with their spouse, work out, and dive into all kinds of horror media. They have a few edutainment social media accounts (@neuro_nuts on Instagram and Tiktok) where they share their science, lab humor, and fun facts about their general interests.
This page focuses on creative writing in both fiction and non fiction. Feel free to explore and contact them at nvbalia1@ucla.edu.
We are all a little nuts...but here we are crazy about neuroscience and art 