Rocio first attended El Camino College where she earned 4 A.S. degrees before transferring to the University of California, San Diego where she graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology in 2018. Rocio officially joined the Green lab in Spring of 2020 and is currently studying the role of specialized extracellular matrix structures – called perineuronal nets – in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Most recently, she was a recipient of the F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award supported by the NIH National Institute On Aging and earned her Ph.D. in May 2025. When she’s not sciencing, Rocio enjoys spending time with her loved ones (including dogs Dash & Gracie), visiting museums/gardens, relaxing at the beach, and going to shows!