Raquel Adaia
Sandoval OrtegaNeuroscience & scientific software

Neuroscientist · Scientific software developer

Understanding pain
and sleep.
Building tools
for discovery.

I’m Raquel Adaia Sandoval Ortega, PhD. I combine experimental neuroscience with acquisition software, image analysis and reproducible data workflows. My research at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on how pain disrupts sleep.

Explore my work Get in touch

Research, analysis and software — from experiment to insight.

Raquel Adaia Sandoval OrtegaCuriosity across disciplinesBased in Philadelphia · Connected internationally
Explore the evidenceResearch at Penn Open-source AxoDen Peer-reviewed publications Leadership & mentoring

Selected work

Questions into experiments.
Data into useful tools.

I connect hands-on neuroscience with the software and workflows that make research more reproducible.

ImageSignal maskQuantificationWorkflow schematic · illustrative
Open source

Developer · First-author publication

AxoDen

Quantify labelled axonal density in microscopy images through a web app, desktop interface or Python package.

PythonMicroscopyImage analysis
Explore the project
Atlas registrationCell analysisRegional reportingWorkflow schematic · illustrative
In development

Co-owner · 2026–present

NeuroQP

A quantitative neuroscience imaging platform bringing atlas registration, cell detection and classification, and regional reporting into one workflow.

Quantitative imagingNeuroscienceIn development
Visit NeuroQP

Explore all acquisition, analysis and data tools

AcquisitionMulti-camera recordingRead the case study ↗AssaysFrom measurements to figuresRead the case study ↗Data workflowsFrom storage to reviewed resultsRead the case study ↗

For research collaborators

Pain, sleep and neural dynamics

Explore my experimental work, publications and experience in scientific mentoring and community building.

Download academic CV (PDF)

For industry teams

Scientific questions, practical software

I’m interested in scientific software development and scientific product roles, connecting experimental needs with acquisition tools, Python analysis and usable research workflows.

Download industry résumé (PDF)

Leadership & community

Building teams.
Sharing knowledge.

I bring researchers together, secure resources for shared goals and help people develop practical scientific skills.

12-person team

Early-career neuroscience

Led the young Swiss Society for Neuroscience as president, supporting its research symposium, career events and growing community.

President · 2019–2021
Treasurer · 2021–2022

20+ seminars

A forum for exchange

Founded Neuro Meetups Bern, secured institutional support and brought national and international speakers into a monthly seminar series.

Founder & president · 2018–2022

$8,000 fellowship

Resources for mentoring

Secured a Penn fellowship to support an undergraduate summer researcher, alongside mentoring in experiments and data analysis.

GfFMUR Fellowship · 2024
Explore my leadership experience Teaching & mentoring

Selected publications

Science, shared.

View publications
2026
Co-author

Heart rate and sleep history encode ultradian REM sleep timing

Current Biology · 36, 1422–1434.e5

Read paper
2025
First author

AxoDen: An Algorithm for the Automated Quantification of Axonal Density in Defined Brain Regions

eNeuro · 12, ENEURO.0233-24.2025

Read paper
2024
First author

Interactive effects of pain and arousal state on heart rate and cortical activity in the mouse anterior cingulate and somatosensory cortices

Neurobiology of Pain · 15, 100157

Read paper

Writing & practical resources

Notes from the lab.

Browse writing