Skip to main content
NameEmailPhD ProgramResearch InterestPublications
Rausser, Shannon

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Computational Biology, Neurobiology, Pharmacology

I’m interested to research the neural basis of psychiatric disorders. In particular, the neural mechanisms underlying psychedelic treatments in relation to anxiety and depression.

Anderman, Meghan

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Metabolism, Neurobiology, Physiology

“I’m interested in understanding adaptations the body utilizes within extreme conditions/environments, such as undersea, space, and high altitudes. Further, I’m interested in protective countermeasures that could be developed for those working within these conditions, and the translational aspects of these adaptations in the context of stress, metabolism, and general physiology.”

Khan, Shahzad
WEBSITE
EMAIL
PUBLICATIONS

PHD PROGRAM
Cell Biology & Physiology

RESEARCH INTEREST
Aging/Alzheimer's, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Neurobiology, Signal Transduction

Maintaining health and reducing disease-risk requires the brain to properly transduce signals across specialized regions and cell types. My lab studies neural signaling at the primary cilium, an antenna-like organelle that helps cells sense and respond to environmental cues. The function of primary cilia in the adult brain remains enigmatic. To probe cilia function, the lab will utilize mouse models, neural cultures, human brain samples, single-cell transcriptomics, proteomics, and microscopy. Ultimately, we aim to identify therapeutic targets for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Vetreno, Ryan

EMAIL
PUBLICATIONS

PHD PROGRAM
Neuroscience, Pharmacology

RESEARCH INTEREST
Addiction/Alcohol Research, Aging/Alzheimer's, Behavior, Biochemistry, Brain Development, Developmental Biology, Disease, Epigenetics & Chromatin Biology, Immunology, Microbiome, Molecular Biology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Neurobiology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Neuropharmacology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Regenerative Medicine

My research interests involve investigation of proinflammatory neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms in animal models of developmental neurobiology and neurodegeneration, including (1) alcohol pharmacology, (2) alcohol responsivity and tolerance, (3) adolescent neurodevelopment, (4) cholinergic system and neurocircuitry, (5) microglial function, and (6) Alzheimer’s disease. A major focus of the laboratory is elucidation of neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms underlying adolescent binge alcohol-induced disruption of basal forebrain cholinergic neurocircuitry in adulthood. A second major focus of the laboratory is investigation of lasting adolescent binge drinking-induced neuroimmune priming as a novel etiological factor contributing to the onset and progression of basal forebrain neuropathology in Alzheimer’s disease. Our laboratory combines ex vivo and in vivo rodent models of alcohol abuse and Alzheimer’s disease with innovative molecular techniques.

Prim, Courtney

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Neurobiology

“I am interested in researching the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of neurological disorders and diseases. I am particularly interested in the role of astrocytes during normal brain development, as well as in neurological disorder and disease.”

Descant, Katherine

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Neurobiology

“I’m interested in pursuing neuroscience research that explores the connection between neural circuit development and modulation with behavior. Specifically, what happens when these circuits are misregulated as a lens for better understanding neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.”

Blondel, Leo

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Genetics, Neurobiology, Translational Medicine

“I am interested in taking part in research aiming to understand the causes and progression of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases, as well as identifying potential therapeutic targets. I am interested in using my background in AAV gene therapy to participate in translational research projects and contribute to treatments for these conditions.”

Marquez Gonzalez, Ariana

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cell Biology, Genetics, Neurobiology

” I am interested in the molecular mechanisms behind neural disorders. I would enjoy continuing working with iPSCs models studying neuronal development as well as cell interactions between neurons and glial cells. I want to study epigenetic changes that contribute to neural disorders. How the environment plays a role in brain plasticity, and I would like to employ bioinformatics to model neuronal networks.”

Clarke, Brandon

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Drug Discovery, Neurobiology, Pharmacology

“I am interested in learning and gaining a better understanding of the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases. I’m also interested in gaining a better understanding of drug discovery in the context of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, and pain.”

Dogan, Breana

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Immunology, Neurobiology, Pharmacology

“I am interested in studying cells involved in neuro-inflammatory mechanisms and understanding how those cells contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, I am interested in Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and seizure disorders.”