Dr. Brenda Milla

Brenda earned her PhD in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut. Her doctoral research explored the direct effects of epilepsy-associated Scn1a mutations on brainstem respiratory centers, utilizing whole-animal behavioral studies and slice patch electrophysiology. Brenda’s current research focuses on elucidating the role of orexin neurons in the hypercapnic ventilatory response and investigating their involvement in mouse models of Opioid induced respiratory depression and Obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Her work aims to uncover critical mechanistic insights into the relationship between orexin neurons and the control of breathing, as well as to identify novel treatments for disordered breathing.