Carina obtained a Masters Degree at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, studying pharmaceutical sciences and technologies. At FAU, she pursued doctoral studies in the FAU-Max Planck IMPRS program in the Blakely lab, investigating the cellular, physiological and behavior impact of phosphorylation in the presynaptic serotonin transporter (SERT) using in vitro and in vivo approaches, with an eye to how altered phosphorylation drives changes in synaptic signaling and impacts risk for mental illness. She is continuing and expanding these studies and mentoring junior scientists.