CAMPOS Scholar Verónica Martínez Cerdeño Honored for Bridging Neuroscience and Community Engagement
Verónica Martínez Cerdeño is being honored with the Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award by the UC Davis Academic Senate for her exceptional work connecting neuroscience research with meaningful community engagement. As a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the School of Medicine, CAMPOS scholar, and a member of the MIND Institute, Martínez Cerdeño studies brain development and neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, with an emphasis on ensuring that scientific discovery benefits the communities it aims to serve. Her research not only advances understanding of neurological differences but also directly informs strategies to support families and advocacy groups affected by these conditions.
Beyond her laboratory work, Martínez Cerdeño actively engages with the broader community to make neuroscience accessible and relevant. By collaborating with families, educators and nonprofit organizations, she translates complex research into practical knowledge that can guide care, increase awareness and support early intervention efforts. Her commitment to connecting research with real-world impact exemplifies how scholarly inquiry can drive social good, while mentoring students and trainees helps cultivate the next generation of researchers attuned to both scientific rigor and community responsibility.
She joins a distinguished group of UC Davis faculty and academic staff recognized this year for transformative contributions to scholarship, teaching, mentorship and service. Other honorees include John M. Boone for groundbreaking work in medical imaging, Jennifer L. Falbe and Robert Furrow for advancing student learning and public service, and Keith David Watenpaugh for innovative research and mentorship. Their collective achievements highlight the university’s commitment to research excellence, inclusive education and meaningful engagement with both local and global communities.
Media Resources
The article, “Senate and Federation Honor ‘Transformative,’ ‘Inspiring’ Academics,” was originally published on the UC Davis Global Affairs website; our story includes a canonical tag to the complete story.