Abstract 3029 Neurobiological basis of learning, memory and memory forgetting

As a Latin American immigrant, my journey has profoundly shaped my research in the neurobiology of learning and memory. Growing up in a region where access to scientific resources was limited, I developed a deep appreciation for knowledge as a tool for empowerment and change. This perspective has fueled my dedication to understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying memory formation and forgetting. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, my work has focused on identifying the neural circuits and molecular pathways that regulate memory persistence and forgetting, aiming to uncover universal principles of cognitive function.