Anahis Tena

Anahis Tena (she/her/ella) is a Propel Postdoctoral Scholar in Dr. Vivianne Tawfik’s lab in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine. Anahis’s research examines how chronic pain affects brain function and contributes to memory decline. She investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking persistent pain to changes in brain circuitry, with the goal of identifying pathways that could improve both pain management and cognitive outcomes. Anahis earned her BS in Biomedical Sciences and PhD in Pathobiology at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she discovered her passion for infectious diseases under the mentorship of Dr. Charles Spencer. Anahis’ doctoral work involved studying Francisella tularensis to investigate its effects on the brain and behavior. Throughout her academic journey, Anahis has developed a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring, especially in supporting undergraduate students. She is proud to have guided many students as they completed their bachelor’s degrees and moved on to pursue graduate studies. Outside the lab, Anahis enjoys collecting rocks, minerals, and plants. She loves exploring new beaches, playing board games, and hosting charcuterie board nights with friends.