Dr. Elba Serrano

Regents Professor, Biology

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Biography

Elba Serrano is a Regents Professor of Biology at New Mexico State University. Serrano’s research focuses on the sensory systems for hearing and balance, neurogenetics, and glial neurobiology. She is the originator of NMSU’s first courses in neurobiology, science & ethics and human biology. An advocate for interdisciplinary research and education, Serrano is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the recipient of a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), and a 2021 Fulbright Scholar (Portugal). She serves as NMSU lead PI for the NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub, a capacity-building and faculty development initiative that aspires to increase STEM student success at over 550 Hispanic Serving Institutions across the United States. Serrano is a first-generation-to-college researcher and educator who received a Ph.D. in biological sciences from Stanford University with an emphasis in neuroscience and biophysics, and an undergraduate degree in physics with a chemistry minor from the University of Rochester.

Specialty Topics/Focus: 

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Neuroethics
  • Space Exploration
  • International Science
  • STEM Research Education
  • Diversity & Equity in Science
  • Professional Development for Graduate Students and Faculty

Countries of Expertise:

  • Brasil
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Singapore
  • VietNam

Languages:

  • English (fluent)
  • Spanish (fluent)
  • Portuguese (conversation)

Phone:575.646.5217

Email:serrano@nmsu.edu