From Future Educator to Neuroscientist: Avalon Amaya’s Journey into the Frontiers of Brain Development

By Communications Staff, College of Veterinary Medicine
September 14, 2026

For many, the path to a doctorate is a straight line drawn in high school. For Avalon Amaya, a Vancouver, Washington native, the trajectory was far more dynamic. What began as a passion for elementary education—a desire to shape young minds in the classroom—has evolved into a sophisticated pursuit of how the brain itself is shaped before birth. Today, as a PhD student in the Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (IPN) program within Washington State University’s (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, Amaya is at the vanguard of research into maternal cannabis exposure and its long-term impacts on cognitive architecture.

The Evolution of a Researcher: From the Classroom to the Lab

Amaya’s academic journey is a testament to the fluidity of intellectual ambition. While her initial foray into higher education was rooted in pedagogical theory and the practicalities of teaching, her interests shifted toward the biological mechanisms that underpin learning and behavior.

"When I started, I saw myself in a classroom, helping children reach their developmental milestones," Amaya reflects. "But the more I learned about the biological foundations of those milestones—the synaptic pruning, the chemical signaling, and the impact of the environment on neurodevelopment—the more I realized I wanted to study the machinery of the mind."

This transition led her to the rigorous world of neuroscience, where she now works under the guidance of Dr. Ryan McLaughlin. Expected to complete her doctoral studies in 2030, Amaya has spent the last year establishing herself as a promising voice in the field, leveraging the collaborative environment of WSU to bridge the gap between complex preclinical data and real-world public health implications.

The Critical Nexus: Maternal Cannabis and Neural Development

The centerpiece of Amaya’s research addresses a pressing, contemporary public health concern: the rising prevalence of cannabis use during pregnancy. Despite the increasing societal normalization of cannabis, the scientific community remains in a race to understand its prenatal consequences.

The Mesocorticolimbic System

Amaya’s work focuses specifically on the mesocorticolimbic system, a complex network of neurons responsible for reward processing, motivation, and executive function. This system is critical for what researchers call "cognitive flexibility"—the ability to adapt one’s behavior in response to changing environments or new information.

"We are looking at how prenatal exposure to cannabinoids alters the wiring of this specific system," Amaya explains. "We want to know if these early exposures create a permanent shift in how the brain evaluates rewards and makes decisions later in life. If a child’s brain is exposed to these compounds during critical stages of development, does that impact their ability to pivot during a complex decision-making task?"

By mapping these neural circuits, Amaya and the McLaughlin lab hope to move beyond correlation and toward a mechanistic understanding of how behavioral health is established in utero.

The WSU Advantage: A Collaborative Ecosystem

For Amaya, choosing WSU was not merely a professional decision; it was a strategic one. As a Washington native with an established network of neuroscientists in the Seattle area, she sought an institution that could match the momentum she had already generated.

"I was already familiar with the strength of the research community at WSU," she says. "When I interviewed with the faculty and students, the collaborative nature was palpable. It wasn’t just a group of silos; it was a community of people genuinely interested in each other’s breakthroughs. That is the kind of environment where a scientist can truly grow."

Mentorship as a Catalyst

Central to her success over the past twelve months has been the mentorship of Dr. Ryan McLaughlin. In the high-pressure environment of a PhD program, the relationship between mentor and student is often the primary determinant of success.

"Dr. McLaughlin has been instrumental in teaching me how to balance ambition with patience," Amaya notes. "He encourages me to ‘spread my wings’ and test out new experimental designs, but he also ensures I stay grounded in the fundamental tenets of the scientific method. He’s constantly looking for opportunities—whether it’s conference presentations, grant writing, or interdisciplinary networking—that allow me to push my boundaries."

This mentorship has clearly yielded dividends. In just one year, Amaya has navigated the steep learning curve of advanced doctoral research, contributing to ongoing studies and refining her own research questions with a maturity that has caught the attention of her peers.

Implications for Public Health and Behavioral Science

The scope of Amaya’s research extends far beyond the laboratory bench. As she looks toward her long-term career goals, she envisions a future that bridges the gap between academic research and public policy.

"I am deeply interested in becoming an advocate for behavioral health," Amaya says. "Right now, there is a lot of misinformation and confusion regarding prenatal substances. My research provides a preclinical perspective that is essential for informing public health guidelines and helping expectant parents understand the long-term neurodevelopmental risks."

Her goal is to work within large-scale, open-science institutes—organizations dedicated to making data accessible and transparent. By democratizing the knowledge gained from her research, she hopes to influence how society approaches behavioral health and cognitive wellness, ensuring that future parents have the data they need to make informed decisions.

Creating a Culture of Support: The WSU Environment

A recurring theme in Amaya’s experience is the culture of kindness within the College of Veterinary Medicine. In an academic landscape that is often defined by fierce competition, the supportive atmosphere at WSU has been a defining factor in her retention and satisfaction.

"When you are growing into a scientist, you are going to make mistakes. You are going to have failed experiments and moments of doubt," she explains. "I needed to find a place that would treat me with grace as I navigated that growth. WSU has been exactly that. It is a place that fosters brilliance not by demanding perfection, but by supporting curiosity."

Conclusion: Looking Toward 2030 and Beyond

As Avalon Amaya continues her work, the implications of her research will likely grow in relevance. As the legalization and usage patterns of cannabis continue to shift, the work being conducted in the McLaughlin lab—and by researchers like Amaya—will become the bedrock for medical advice, clinical interventions, and public awareness campaigns.

Her transition from a future elementary teacher to a neuroscientist is, in many ways, a circle. She is still interested in the development of young minds; she has simply moved her focus to the cellular and molecular levels that make that development possible. As she works toward her PhD, Amaya stands as a representative of the next generation of researchers: collaborative, community-focused, and committed to the rigorous pursuit of truth.

For the College of Veterinary Medicine and the broader WSU community, her progress is not just a personal achievement; it is a vital contribution to the collective knowledge of human health. With four years remaining in her program, the academic world awaits the findings that will undoubtedly emerge from her dedicated, systematic, and compassionate inquiry into the brain’s early foundations.