Fischell Institute Black History Month Spotlight: Latrell Cook

Latrell Cook is a junior pursuing a dual degree in biological sciences (physiology and neurobiology) and psychology, with a minor in humanities, health and medicine. He currently works as an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Fischell Institute affiliate fellow and biology professor Ricardo Araneda.

Cook’s interest in biology began in ninth grade, when a hands-on classroom experiment sparked his curiosity about how science is applied to real-world problems. That early fascination eventually led him to join the Araneda Lab through UMD’s Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, which supports undergraduates interested in pursuing advanced studies in biomedical research.

“Since joining the Araneda Lab in October 2024, my experience has been very enriching,” Cook said. “I believe Dr. Araneda is effectively helping me prepare for graduate school, and I feel well-supported by my graduate student mentor, Lucy Irvine, and my fellow undergraduate lab members.”

Cook is currently assisting with an ongoing research project that examines how social isolation affects social behavior and brain activity in mice. The work focuses on how isolation influences the brain’s ability to process sensory information related to smell, which plays a critical role in social interaction and communication.

Additionally, changes in the sense of smell are often among the earliest indicators of aging-related and neurodegenerative diseases. By studying how social isolation alters brain circuits involved in sensory processing, the Araneda Lab aims to better understand how environmental and psychological stressors contribute to neurological decline.

Early in the project, Cook studied how social isolation affects the growth of new brain cells in the brain’s sensory processing regions. Now, he is exploring how prolonged isolation may change the behavior of neuroglia, non-neuronal cells that help maintain nervous system functions in the brain and alter communication between different brain regions.

Understanding these biological changes may help researchers identify early markers of disease and inform future strategies for preventing or treating conditions associated with cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.

This past winter, Cook was selected for the Benjamin A. Gillman International Scholarship Program, which allowed him to study abroad in Brazil for the winter 2026 term. The program, provided by the U.S. Department of State, offers students an opportunity to conduct STEM-related research overseas, equipping them with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills.

After graduation, Cook hopes to pursue an MD-PhD program with a goal of becoming a biomedical neuroscientist. He hopes to focus his future research on how psychological stressors influence neurological and immune responses and contribute to the development of neurological disease.

What's more, he hopes to use his research experience to advocate for policies that improve health outcomes for medically underserved populations and to contribute to research that supports universal access to health care in the United States.

Outside of the lab, Cook is actively involved on campus as a resident assistant, a CMNS peer mentor and a member of the executive board for Omicron Delta Kappa. In his free time, Cook enjoys reading, listening to music, photography, attending concerts and cheering on the Baltimore Ravens.

Published February 27, 2026