About me
Explore Raquel Adaia Sandoval Ortega’s neuroscience and scientific software work, team leadership, mentoring and research awards.
My work follows a simple curiosity: how do changes in the brain shape what the body does? Today, that means studying the relationship between pain and sleep at the University of Pennsylvania.
I develop acquisition and analysis software around preclinical experiments, combining in vivo electrophysiology, imaging and quantitative analysis. My tools span multi-camera recording, multimodal acquisition, assay analysis and the data workflows that connect them. Python is central to that work.
I’m also a co-owner of NeuroQP, a quantitative imaging platform in development. The platform brings together atlas registration, cell analysis and regional reporting. Explore my software portfolio.
Before moving to Penn, I completed my PhD at the University of Bern and trained in laboratories across Europe. Working across languages and research cultures has shaped how I collaborate, mentor and communicate.
Teaching and scientific community are part of that work. I have organised practical training, founded a seminar series and helped lead early-career neuroscience networks. I value environments where people can ask questions, share methods and learn from one another.
Research path
Postdoctoral researcher · Corder Lab
PhD in Neuroscience · Nevian Lab
Visiting scholar · Michael X Cohen
Master’s thesis research and research assistant · Magistretti Lab
Teaching & mentoring
I mentor early-career researchers in experimental methods, data analysis and reproducible workflows. In 2024, I designed and taught From Lost to Boss: Python for Beginners, a seven-session workshop.
In 2024, I secured an $8,000 GfFMUR Fellowship, an internal Penn award, to support an undergraduate summer researcher. My mentoring connects experimental practice with data management, analysis and clear scientific reasoning.
I have also contributed to neural time-series training and medical teaching, including as a teaching assistant for Michael X Cohen’s course in 2023.
Leadership & public engagement
My experience spans team coordination, fundraising, scientific events and community building across institutions.
Team leadership
Led a 12-person team, recruited board members and strengthened the society’s visibility and financial resources. Helped establish the Early-Career Researcher Symposium and launched NeuroRoutes career talks.
Community building
Founded and directed a monthly seminar series, organised more than 20 seminars and chaired at least half. Secured institutional financial support and invited national and international speakers.
Scientific convening
Served as co-chair of the Gordon Research Seminar on Sleep Regulation and Function, supporting exchange among early-career researchers.
Volunteer coordination
Served as Bern’s first city coordinator, coordinating the local volunteer team and acting as the link to the national organisation to bring science to public audiences.
Representation & resources
Initiated a departmental PhD and postdoc retreat and secured departmental financial support. Represented colleagues at board meetings and coached successor representatives.
Inclusive scientific community
Oversaw social activities that connect Spanish-speaking scientists and strengthen a shared STEM community.
Selected recognition
2026 · Presentation award
Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences (MINS) Symposium
University of Pennsylvania
2023 · Presentation award
Chronobiology and Sleep Institute (CSI) Retreat
University of Pennsylvania
2026 · Travel award
Society for Neuroscience support to attend FENS Forum 2026.
For my contribution to funded research, see the NIH R21 project.
I work across Spanish, Catalan, English, French and German-speaking environments. I enjoy the connections that grow when people bring different perspectives to the same question.