Irene Avila, Ph.D.
About Irene Avila, Ph.D.
Irene Avila, Ph.D., serves as the Assistant Director at the National Institutes of Health since 2019, bringing extensive experience in behavioral neuroscience and a strong commitment to diversity in the biomedical workforce.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Irene Avila, Ph.D., has been serving as the Assistant Director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2019. In this role, she oversees various initiatives aimed at enhancing scientific workforce diversity. Prior to her current position, she held multiple roles at NIH, including Special Assistant to the Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity from 2015 to 2018 and Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity from 2013 to 2015. Her extensive tenure at NIH includes a postdoctoral position at the National Institute on Aging from 2010 to 2014 and a graduate student role at the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke from 2003 to 2010.
Education and Expertise
Irene Avila earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology with a focus on Behavioral Neuroscience from Arizona State University, completing her studies from 1999 to 2009. She also obtained a Master of Arts (M.A.) in the same field at Arizona State University from 1999 to 2002. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychobiology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, which she completed from 1993 to 1999. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in neuroscience and diversity within the biomedical workforce.
Professional Experience
Irene Avila has a diverse professional background that includes various roles in research and academia. She served as a MIRT Research Associate at UC Santa Cruz from 1996 to 1997 and as a Minority Fellowship Program in Neuroscience Pre-doc Fellow at the American Psychological Association from 2001 to 2003. Her experience also includes a significant role as an Aspen Ideas Spotlight Health Scholar at The Aspen Institute in 2017. Throughout her career, she has managed high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in laboratory settings, emphasizing her commitment to mentorship and education.
Background
Irene Avila's academic journey began at Presentation High School, leading her to pursue higher education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later at Arizona State University. Her commitment to the field of psychology and neuroscience has been evident throughout her career. She has developed a strong focus on diversity and inclusion within the biomedical workforce, which has shaped her roles and responsibilities at the National Institutes of Health.
Communication Skills
Irene Avila is recognized for her effective communication skills, particularly in conveying scientific content to diverse audiences. Her ability to articulate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely has been a valuable asset in her roles at the National Institutes of Health and in her previous positions. This skill enhances her contributions to projects aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the scientific community.