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Biology and Health Sciences

Faculty & Staff

Dr. Maria E. Vélez-Hernández

Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor

Contact Information

Office Location: BESB 203B
Email: kumeh011@tamuk.edu
Phone: (361) 593-3181
CV: Download CV (PDF)
Research Profile: ResearchGate

About Dr. Vélez-Hernández

Dr. María E. Vélez-Hernández is an Associate Professor of Biology and IDean of Undergraduate Studies at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. She is a neuroscientist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of learning, memory, and drug addiction. Her lab investigates the role of protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ) in memory storage and uses Drosophila melanogaster courtship behavior as a model to study how memories are acquired and stored in the brain. In addition to research, she has secured millions in external and internal funding to support undergraduate success, biomedical initiatives, and innovative teaching models. Dr. Vélez-Hernández is also dedicated to service learning, mentorship, and increasing opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM.

Education

  • Ph.D., Physiology — University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus
  • B.S., Biology — University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
  • Post-doctoral Studies — State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center

Research Interests & Current Projects

  • Learning, memory, and drug addiction
  • Role of atypical protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ) in molecular mechanisms of memory
  • Behavioral neuroscience using Drosophila melanogaster models
  • Effects of cocaine on neural signaling, synaptic plasticity, and brain connectivity

Courses Taught

  • UNIV 1201: Learning in Global Context
  • BIOL 1306: General Biology I (Honors Lecture)
  • BIOL 2402: Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIOL 4355: Functional Neuroanatomy (Topics in Biology)
  • BIOL 4355: Health Sciences Preparedness (Study Abroad – Puerto Rico)
  • BIOL 4355: Understanding Human Physiology (Topics in Biology)
  • BIOL 5402: Systems Neurobiology (Advanced Topics in Biology)

Selected Publications

  • Vaquer-Alicea A, Vázquez-Torres R, Devarie-Hornedo M, Santos-Vera B, María-Ríos C, Montiel-Ramos A, Vélez-Hernández ME, Sacktor T, Jiménez-Rivera CA. (2019). LTP in the VTA participates in the neuroadaptive signal necessary to induce NAc synaptic plasticity after cocaine administration. Neuroscience, 410:316.
  • Troutwine B, Park A, Vélez-Hernández ME, et al. (2019). SF654A and K558Q mutations in NMDA receptor 1 affect ethanol-induced behaviors in Drosophila. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 43(12):2480–2493.
  • Vélez-Hernández ME, Padilla E, Gonzalez-Lima F, Jiménez-Rivera CA. (2014). Cocaine reduces cytochrome oxidase activity in the prefrontal cortex and modifies its functional connectivity with brain stem nuclei. Brain Research, 1557:135–146.
  • Vélez-Hernández ME, Vázquez-Torres R, Velasquez-Martinez MC, Jiménez L, Báez F, Sacktor TC, Jiménez-Rivera CA. (2013). Inhibition of Protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ) in the mesolimbic system alters cocaine sensitization in rats. Journal of Drug & Alcohol Research.
  • Bermary Santos-Vera, Vázquez-Torres R, García-Marrero HG, Ramos-Acevedo JM, Arencibia-Albite F, Vélez-Hernández ME, Miranda JD, Jiménez-Rivera CA. (2012). Cocaine sensitization increases Ih channel subunit 2 (HCN2) protein expression in the mesocorticolimbic system. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 46:178–188.
  • Jiménez-Rivera CA, Figueroa J, Vázquez R, Vélez-Hernández ME, Schwarz D, Arencibia F, Velázquez MC. (2012). Presynaptic inhibition of glutamate transmission by alpha-2 receptors in the VTA. Eur J Neurosci, 35(9):1406–1417.
  • Inyushin M, Arencibia-Albite F, Vázquez-Torres R, Vélez-Hernández ME, Jimenez-Rivera CA. (2010). Alpha-2 noradrenergic receptor activation inhibits the Ih current in VTA neurons. Neuroscience, 167(2):287–297.

Awards & Honors

  • Texas Academic Leadership Academy, 2022
  • Olan Kruse Award, College of Arts and Sciences, TAMUK, 2021
  • General Education Teaching Award, TAMUK Center for Teaching Effectiveness, 2019
  • Golden Key International Honour Society, Honorary Member, 2020–present
  • “Student Organization Advisor of the Year,” University of Houston-Victoria, 2014–2015
  • Award for Investigation Excellence, Physiology Department, University of Puerto Rico, 2009
  • Leadership Award, Physiology Department, University of Puerto Rico, 2009
  • Dean’s Award for Outstanding Student in Physiology, University of Puerto Rico, 2007 & 2008
  • MBRS-RISE Pre-doctoral Fellow, University of Puerto Rico, 2006–2011

Professional Associations

  • Society for Neuroscience
  • American Physiological Society
  • International Drug Abuse Research Society
  • SACNAS – Faculty Mentor
  • WIMENS – Founding Faculty Mentor
  • Golden Key Honour Society

Funded Grants (Selected)

  • HSI STEM and Articulation Grant (PI), Department of Education — $5,000,000 (2021–2026)
  • Pilot Program to Address Learning Loss in South Texas (PI), Dept. of Education — $500,000 (2022–2023)
  • Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value (Co-PI), THECB — $450,000 (2022)
  • AgriCULTURE Program (PI), USDA — $275,000 (2020–2024)
  • Neurological, Learning and Memory Disorders in Drosophila (Co-PI), Moxley Foundation — $40,000 (2020–2022)
Dr. Maria E. Vélez-Hernández