Born and raised in Curitiba, Brazil, Thiago Arzua now studies the neurodevelopmental aspects of how trauma is passed down through generations. Prior to joining the Marlin Lab, Dr. Arzua completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of South Florida, and his doctoral degree in neuroscience at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There, he used brain organoids (a 3D stem cell-derived model of the human brain) to examine the mechanisms and potential therapies for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, a group of conditions that can occur when pregnant mothers drink alcohol.

Outside the lab Dr. Arzua also engages and fights for diversity and equity within science, being a co-founder of Black In Neuro, as well as a policy ambassador for the Society for Neuroscience. With whatever time is left, he trains for triathlons, recently completing the 2021 Ironman Wisconsin.