Isabella Roque (NEURO ’25) moved slowly as she attached a micropipette filled with electrolyte solution to a cell membrane. This technique, called the patch clamp technique required a delicate hand and a good deal of patience; Roque felt privileged to learn such an advanced procedure during her undergraduate studies. Using brain slices from a mouse, Roque carefully located the nucleus accumbens and began recording neuronal firing rates.
This technique is an essential part of Roque’s research in the effects of drugs on the brain. By doing a bath application of different drugs so the brain slices can be directly exposed, Roque is able to determine the effect of drugs like alcohol on the firing rate of these neurons. The encouragement of professors like Dr. Yorgason allowed Roque to fully master the technique. This holistic approach to mentorship, blending technical expertise with intellectual encouragement, has been an essential part of Roque’s undergraduate experience. Her passion for unraveling the mysteries of the brain found root in the supportive, academic soil of BYU.
Rooted in Family
Roque’s love for science and her drive to conduct research is deeply intertwined with her family life. Originally from Curitiba, Brazil, Roque has spent much of her life navigating the intersection of personal experience and academic curiosity. Her paternal grandfather’s brain cancer diagnosis allowed her to become intimately acquainted with the internal workings of the Brazilian healthcare system, an experience which opened her eyes to the importance of widely available medical care. “I decided I wanted to focus on devoting my life to neuroscience and to healthcare,” Roque explains, “in large part because I saw a deficiency of resources available to my grandfather in Latin America. My dream would be to improve the healthcare available to Latin American communities.”
In later years, her maternal grandfather’s struggle with addiction sparked a more specific interest in neuroscience. Roque became deeply engaged in researching addiction, particularly focusing on alcohol and its impact on the brain’s reward circuitry. “Understanding the physiological mechanisms of addiction helped me understand him better,” Roque shared. Her dedication to uncovering the intricacies of neurological conditions, particularly in underserved communities, has set the stage for her desire to become a doctor.
Spiritually Nurtured
Roque’s decision to pursue a career in medicine is rooted in her personal experiences but also deeply guided by her spiritual convictions. “It’s hard sometimes to be a woman in pre-med; not everyone was supportive of me,” Roque shares candidly. “I went to serve a mission, and when I came back, I had to decide, ‘Should I finish? Is this the path for me?’” Bringing those questions to God in prayer, Roque received confirmation that her life experiences had uniquely prepared her for the journey ahead.
Sowing Seeds of Compassion
“Knowledge and education enable you to help others,” Roque explains. “It opens your eyes and helps you build bridges, transcend differences, and just love people genuinely.” Recognizing that she had the emotional intelligence and technical expertise to make a meaningful impact, Roque embraced her calling to become a doctor. Her professors and academic advisors, eager to support her, connected her with The Volunteer Care Clinic where she used her fluency in Spanish and Portuguese to assist those in need.
Roque’s compassion also led her to collect donations for the Brazilian hospital, CASAI Yanomami. She gathered clothes, toys, and medications for the hospital by reaching out to members of the local community in Boa Vista, Roraima, through various social media groups. Her work with the indigenous Yanomami people was a testament to her that healing is not only about medical expertise but also about extending love, solidarity, and service to those who are often overlooked.
Roque’s belief that, “knowledge is a gift that points to the infinite value of human life and the sacred connection between us all,” has transformed her undergraduate experience from one of routine tasks to one of deeply meaningful service. Whether she is benefitting from the selfless mentorship of her professors as she performs the patch clamp technique, or embracing the opportunity to serve those recovering in the care clinic or at CASAI Yanomami, Roque continues to honor the belief that knowledge is not just for personal advancement, but for the good of those around us.