Biography
Emanuel Cristian Mora Macias is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University. His research integrates optogenetics, astrocyte physiology, and translational animal models of brain disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Before joining FIU, Mora served as a Visiting Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience at Cornell University (2015-2024) and as Head of the Department of Animal Biology at the University of Havana, where he led the Bioacoustics and Neuroethology Lab.
Over his 30-year academic career, Mora has published more than 65 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters and mentored more than 60 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. His work has been recognized with international distinctions, including the Spallanzani Award from the North American Society for Bat Research, the Science Award from the Cuban Academy of Sciences, and research fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt, Matsumae, and James S. McDonnell Foundations.
At FIU, Mora leads two complementary projects within the Neuronal Mass Dynamics Laboratory: one focused on the dual role of astrocytes in seizure control, and another on astrovascular coupling and vascular integrity in Alzheimer’s disease. His current efforts aim to bridge cellular neurophysiology and vascular imaging to develop new therapeutic insights into brain disorders.
Awards & Honors
- Invited Speaker, TEDxAshbury College, Canada, 2021
- Invited Professor, VLTP-IBRO Course in Neuroscience, Sierra Leone, 2019
- Keynote Speaker, International Society for Neuroethology Congress, Uruguay, 2016
- James S. McDonnell Fellowship, Argentina, 2016
- Prize for Innovative Networking Initiatives, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, 2014
- Science Award, Cuban Academy of Sciences, Cuba, 2012
- Spallanzani Award, North American Society for Bat Research, USA, 2011
- Matsumae International Foundation Fellowship, Japan, 2007
- Best Young Researcher Award in Natural Sciences, Cuban Academy of Sciences, Cuba, 2006
- Georg Forster Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, 2003
Education
- Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience, University Pablo de Olavide, Spain, 2010
- Ph.D., Biological Sciences, University of Havana, Cuba, 2001
- MS, Neuroscience (summa cum laude), International University of Andalusia, Spain, 2000
- MS, Animal Physiology (summa cum laude), University of Havana, Cuba, 1999
- BS, Biology (highest honors), University of Havana, Cuba, 1996