Biomedical research is a field that is continuously evolving, and in this world, few scientists embody both the spirit of rigorous inquiry and advocacy quite like Juan Arboleda, a PhD candidate in his sixth year at the University of Florida Genetics Institute (UFGI). Juan has a background rooted in biology and has showcased a lifelong commitment to the disability community, leading him to craft a path that unites lab-based research with meaningful community engagement, particularly through his work with myotonic dystrophy (DM) and science communication.
Juan’s academic journey began with a degree in biology and a minor in Disabilities in Society at the University of Florida. As an undergraduate, he worked at the Disability Resource Center, where he developed a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. That passion remained steady even as he leaned into scientific research. “I wasn’t sure how it would all fit together,” Juan reflects, “but then I met Dr. Eric Wang.”
Dr. Wang’s lab at UFGI focuses on myotonic dystrophy (DM), a rare multisystemic genetic condition. While historically categorized as a muscular dystrophy, DM is increasingly recognized for its effects on the central nervous system. Growing evidence highlights its neurological effects, including sleep dysregulation, anesthesia sensitivity, fatigue, and cognitive impairments such as learning deficits and anxiety. Juan’s work for his dissertation investigates the molecular changes that underlie these symptoms, with the goal of deepening our understanding of disease mechanisms. His work contributes to the lab’s broader mission of identifying biomarkers that could eventually serve as proxies for disease progression, addressing quality-of-life issues that many DM patients report.
His work spans both basic and translational research. “The lab has a really balanced mission,” Juan explains. “We’re interested in understanding how the disease affects the body and also in guiding strategies that may improve treatment.” That mission, combined with the lab’s collaborative culture, made the Wang Lab an ideal fit. After working as a research technician there for three years, Juan knew he’d found not just a scientific home, but a community.
That sense of community has followed Juan beyond the lab. A turning point came in 2023 at the Center for NeuroGenetics retreat on Amelia Island. While discussing the sporadic nature of outreach events like Rare Disease Day or Brain Awareness Week, Juan and fellow students realized the need for a more cohesive, sustained student-led effort. The result was the founding of the NeuroGenetics Student Organization (NGSO) in early 2024, co-led by Juan and fellow G&G PhD student David Berryman. Its mission is to create a vibrant space for aspiring scientists to sharpen their skills in communication, outreach, and advocacy. Events have included lab tours for DM patients and caregivers during the 2024 regional Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) conference at UF. During this event, members set up interactive stations like strawberry DNA extraction, microscopy, and gel electrophoresis.
“To me, community is about building momentum together. It’s a catalyst. None of this would’ve happened if I didn’t have people around me who believed in it too.” - Juan Arboleda
This idea of community-as-catalyst also led Juan to the global neuroscience initiative Knowing Neurons. Encouraged by fellow UF student Natalia Padillo-Anthemides who is the team lead of Knowing Neurons' Spanish outreach group, Juan joined during a 2024 recruitment drive. He now hosts episodes of NeuroCharlas, a Spanish-language neuroscience podcast aiming to make brain science accessible to non-English-speaking audiences. His interviews have featured figures like Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Angelica Torres-Berrío and explore both research and representation in science.
Through this work, Juan is not only amplifying the voices of Latin American scientists but also making neuroscience less exclusive. NeuroCharlas is one part of a much larger operation at Knowing Neurons, which includes podcasting, translation, and science writing, all with a focus on global accessibility and inclusion.
“Growing up, I didn’t see people who looked like me doing this kind of work. This podcast helps show what’s possible.” - Juan Arboleda
Juan’s increasing involvement in science communication led to a deeper partnership with the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. Following his participation in MDF’s 2023 Hill Day in Washington, D.C., he began working on the MDF Toolkit, a 100-page patient guide that covers disease management, system-specific symptoms, and provider communication tips. Now employed by MDF through a science communication internship, Juan is helping to lead the first major revision of the toolkit since 2015. The updated version is slated to become a go-to resource for families and clinicians for years to come.
His role with MDF has also grown to include professional development opportunities. At MDF’s 2024 conference in Indianapolis, Juan worked behind the scenes as part of the conference staff, helping coordinate sessions and learning the logistics of professional meeting organization. “That experience was huge,” he says. “It taught me how to manage a conference from the inside, which is a different kind of leadership.”
“I really like communicating science in a way that is accessible” – Juan Arboleda
Explore the MDF Toolkit here (currently in revision)
Mentorship has been essential to Juan’s journey. He credits Dr. Wang for taking a chance on him when he had no research experience and Dr. Belinda Pinto for being a source of steady guidance. Within the lab, he emphasizes the power of peer collaboration: “It’s a big group, and we all work on different projects, but the environment is incredibly synergistic. Everyone’s willing to share ideas, pitch in, or troubleshoot.”
Juan’s future goals are as multifaceted as his current work. He’s not planning to leave the lab behind, but he’s also not content staying behind the bench. Whether it’s science policy, community engagement, pharmaceutical outreach, or patient-facing roles, Juan wants a career that keeps him connected to the people his research affects.
He credits UFGI’s supportive environment for nurturing his interdisciplinary interests. “It’s a relatively small program, and I feel like everyone knows who I am,” he says. “When I talk to my advisor about advocacy or science communication, it’s always met with encouragement, not hesitation.”
In a scientific culture that often prizes publications over people, Juan Arboleda is a reminder that impact goes beyond the lab. Through his roles with MDF, “NeuroCharlas,” and UFGI, Juan is showing that being a scientist involves listening, advocating, and acting with the heart.
Read more about the MDF here