Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Hommel
Clinical Co-Mentor: Dr. David Houghton
Sierra
Miller graduated magna cum laude from West Texas A&M University in
Canyon, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and minors in
Biology and Mathematics. Following graduation, she worked as a lab
technician for the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural
Research Service where she focused on identifying sources of nitrous
oxide production from feed yards. At UTMB, Sierra is a Presidential
Scholar and member of the Hommel Lab in the Center for Addiction
Research. Her research focuses on the underlying neurocircuitry of
nutritional balance and binge eating disorder by integrating
computational, behavioral, and neuroanatomical approaches. Sierra is
involved in the Society for Neuroscience at UTMB and participates in
community outreach programs about the effects of drugs and alcohol. She
enjoys spending time with her dog and attending activities on campus, at
church, and around Galveston.
Awards/Scholarships:
2022 - Streppa Champion in Functional Neuroanatomy Award, Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch
2022 - Burrough’s Wellcome Fund Trainee Travel Award, Association for Clinical and Translational Science
2022 - Robert Bennett Scholarship, Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch
2021- Alumni Translational Scholars Travel Award
2021- James E. Beall II Memorial Award
2020 - 2022 - NIH/NCATS TL1 Institutional Training Core (TL1TR001440) “UTMB Clinical and Translational Science Award”
2020 - HPTM Alumni Translational Scholars Travel Award
2019 - UTMB Student Government Association Leadership Scholarship
2018 - Present - Presidential Scholar’s Award, UTMB