Crystal Colón Ortiz
Representative, Postdoctoral Associate
Crystal was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. Then she moved to NYC to pursue her graduate education at Columbia University and received the NSF-GRFP and NINDS D-SPAN (F99/K00) awards. Her thesis work focused on studying the inflammatory role of endothelial and astrocytic caspase-9 in a retinal model of vascular injury. Crystal joined the Eroglu lab in 2022 as a D-SPAN K00 postdoctoral researcher and studies the role of astrocytes in Multiple Sclerosis. Crystal aspires to contribute to promoting a healthy and safe environment for members of historically underrepresented groups as part of the EDI committee. During her free time, she enjoys going outdoors, reading, and face-timing her nephew.