Associate FacultyFaculty members at Emory University that may serve as Primary Advisors (but require Training Faculty Co-Advisors), Co-Advisors, Rotation Advisors, and Dissertation Committee Members.
Search Associate Faculty Profiles: Andrew Butler ajbutle@emory.eduAssociate FacultyMy research focuses primarily on how volitional movement, motor learning, and organized motor behavior are represented in the human brain. We are interested in evaluating the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy on cortical motor reorganization following stroke using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Future concerns address the use of complementary and alternative methods, such as mental imagery and virtual reality, as vehicles to expand rehabilitation interventional possibilities. We are interested in the relationship between molecular science and rehabilitation. Specifically, we seek to develop collaborations that permit ways to explore changes in the nervous system through blood samples or other biomarkers.  Michael C. Crutcher mcrutch@emory.eduAssociate FacultyThe focus of my research is to develop a new testing procedure to identify patients with mild cognitive impairment at the earliest stage possible. A subset of such patients go on to develop Alzheimer's disease. Early diagnosis would provide the opportunity to treat such patients at an earlier stage in order to reduce the rate of progression of the disease and improve their duration and quality of life.  Joseph Cubells jcubells@genetics.emory.eduAssociate FacultyWhile family and twin studies provide strong support for genetic contributions to many common psychiatric disorders, the roles of individual genes in these disorders have been difficult to determine, probably because multiple genes interact with environmental and developmental influences to produce these disorders. Our lab has pursued analysis of endophenotypes as a strategy for reducing the complexity of genotype-phenotype relationships in behavioral disorders. Endophenotypes are traits that correlate or otherwise are relevant to a complex disorder, but which themselves more directly reflect the action of one or a few genes. A major focus of our research to date has been on plasma levels of dopamine beta-hydroxylase, the enzyme catalyzing conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine. Building on early linkage findings from other groups, we have shown that sequence variation at the DBH locus accounts for up to 50% of the variance in plasma DbH activity, and we have used this finding as a basis for investigation of psychosis in major depression and cocaine dependence.  Mahlon R. DeLong medmrd@emory.eduAssociate FacultyOur research is directed at a better understanding of the functional organization of the basal ganglia and thalamus and the role of these structures in behavior and clinical disorders. We are particularly interested in the role of these structures in voluntary movement and in the pathophysiology of movement disorders. Our research employs the techniques of single cell recording from behaving animals, lesioning with neurotoxins, tract-tracing and combined anatomical/physiologic mapping.  Steve DeWeerth steve.deweerth@neuro.gatech.eduAssociate FacultyThe work in our lab involves the development of real-time, dynamical models of neuronal systems and on the interfacing of those models to living neuronal tissue. This research is focused in three primary areas: neuromorphic engineering, neural interfacing technology, and hybrid neural microsystems.  Douglas Falls dfalls@emory.eduAssociate FacultyThe research projects in my laboratory investigate the molecular basis of the cell-to-cell communication which regulates the development, maintenance, regeneration, and plasticity of the vertebrate nervous system. In particular, we are focusing on understanding the biological activities of the neuregulin family of "growth and differentiation" (or "trophic") factors.  James G. Herndon jim@rmy.emory.eduAssociate FacultyMy research area is the decline in cognitive function with advancing age in the rhesus monkey, and the physiological and neural changes that accompany this decline.  Donald R. Humphrey dhumphr@emory.eduAssociate FacultyOur laboratory focuses upon the organization and the role of the primate motor cortex in the control of learned, skilled movements. Two major areas of research are currently addressed. In the first, experiments are conducted with alert, behaving monkeys in which modern electrophysiological methods are used to examine the plasticity of motor cortical representations of the body. In the second series of experiments, we are examining the extent to which the discharge of motor cortical neurons can be brought under voluntary control by the alert animal.  Zach Johnson zpjohns@emory.eduAssociate FacultyClick To View My Lab WebsiteDr. Johnson studies how genetic variation influences complex disease phenotypes, especially those that manifest themselves in the brain. Researchers in the Johnson lab study inherited social complexity present in multiple nonhuman primate species to better model phenotypes related to anxiety and other mental illnesses in humans. Other studies in the Johnson lab include examining the effects of genetic factors on diet choice and total caloric intake in the rhesus macaque, as well as the interactions between diets, genome wide gene expression, gut microbial flora composition and obesity phenotypes.  Jorge L. Juncos jjuncos@emory.eduAssociate FacultyThe research in this laboratory uses neurochemical and behavioral techniques to study the mechanisms of drug action in the rat central nervous system (CNS). Comparing the effects of selective pharmacological probes and drug administration strategies we hope to better understand the neural basis of motor behaviors in animals.  Shella Keilholz shella.keilholz@bme.gatech.eduAssociate FacultyClick To View My Lab WebsiteClick To View My Department Website My lab focuses on developing imaging methods to study networks of activity in the brain, primarily using MRI in rodents and humans. We are especially interested in mapping the spatiotemporal aspects of network function in the brain and relating the MRI signals to the underlying neural activity using concurrent fMRI and electrophysiology. Current projects include looking at the behavioral relevance of dynamic network activity; using intrinsic signal fluctuations to map networks of synchronized activity in the rat brain and their neural origins; and manipulating network activity via surgical or chemical interventions to tease out directional influences within the network.  Heather Kimmel Heather.Kimmel@emory.eduAssociate FacultyA major focus of my research program is the behavioral pharmacology of cocaine and related psychomotor stimulants in nonhuman primates. One of our major goals is to determine how monoamines and other neurotransmitters interact to produce the observed behavioral and neurochemical effects of these psychomotor stimulants. We are also involved in developing medications for reducing drug use in humans, working with several medicinal chemists in investigating the effectiveness of novel compounds. To achieve these goals, we use operant conditioning behavioral techniques, in vivo microdialysis with HPLC, and neuroimaging to determine the neuropharmacology of cocaine and related compounds in nonhuman primates.  Michelle LaPlaca michelle.laplaca@bme.gatech.eduAssociate FacultyClick To View My Lab WebsiteWe study injury biomechanics and tissue engineering as they relate to traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. We use a multi-level approach to develop improved tolerance criteria and elucidate the acute cell and tissue response to traumatic loading. We have found that the neuronal plasma membrane is compromised following a traumatic insult and are investigating mechanisms of damage and repair, as well as possible therapeutic interventions. In addition, we have developed tissue engineering methods for the injured brain using bioactive scaffolds and neural stem cells as candidate donor cells. Scaffolds are designed to be injectable and to control cell behavior such as migration and differentiation.  Robert McKeon mckeon@cellbio.emory.eduAssociate FacultyMy lab is interested in examining the response of the CNS to injury, with a focus on identifying factors that lead to neuronal death or axonal regenerative failure. We are particularly interested in elucidating the role of one type of glial cell, the reactive astrocyte, since the astrocytic response to injury has been implicated in processes as diverse as neuronal protection versus inhibition of axonal regeneration. Ongoing projects are designed to examine the role of specific injury-induced growth factors and/or cytokines on astrocytic gene expression, particularly those genes involved with energy mobilization or synthesis of axon growth inhibitory molecules. By understanding the astrocytic response to injury, we hope to devise new strategies to enhance neuronal survival and axonal regeneration.  Darryl B. Neill dneill@emory.eduAssociate FacultyMy research interests are in the brain systems which control mood and motivation. Besides being of fundamental interest in the general problem of functional organization of the mammalian brain, these systems are also of interest for their possible roles in mood disorders and drug addiction. In my laboratory, we manipulate these systems and examine the resulting behavioral changes. In collaboration with the Justice laboratory in Chemistry, we manipulate these systems and examine the resulting neurochemical changes.  Paul M. Plotsky pplotsky@emory.eduAssociate FacultyThe Stress Neurobiology Laboratory is focused on the effects of stress hormones on the developing and adult brain, central nervous system regulation of the stress response, as well as the interaction between genes and early environment in programming the brain. A major focus of the lab is the study of the immediate and long-term consequences of early adverse experience (e.g., medical illness, abuse, neglect) on brain gene expression, behavioral, emotional, and neuroendocrine regulation as related to subsequent vulnerability to medical and psychiatric illnesses. The lab develops animal models in mice, rats and non-human primates as well as clinical studies.  Steve M. Potter steve.potter@bme.gatech.eduAssociate FacultyClick To View My Lab WebsiteNew Neuroscience Technologies for Studying Learning in Vitro. We are merging software, hardware, and wetware in a new paradigm for neurobiology research, "Embodied Cultured Networks." It brings together top-down (cognitive, behavioral, ethological) and bottom-up cellular, molecular) approaches to studying the brain. We are applying Multi-electrode array culture dishes, 2-photon time-lapse microscopy, and High-speed imaging of neural activity to study cultured networks of hundreds or thousands of mammalian neurons. We are especially interested distributed activity patterns and information processing in these cultured networks. We give them a body, either simulated or robotic, and an environment in which to behave. We developed a real-time feedback system for 2-way communication between a computer and a cultured neural network. In collaboration with Dr. Robert Gross in Neurosurgery, we are using our closed-loop stimulation and recording technology to develop methods for treating epilepsy with electrical stimulation. Information for potential students: Click here  Hillary Rodman hrodman@rmy.emory.eduAssociate FacultyMy lab is interested in the brain systems and mechanisms that allow perceptual and cognitive abilities, such as object recognition, to emerge and reorganize during development and subsequent to brain injury. We perform neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral studies of the development, plasticity and comparative organization of the forebrain, with particular emphasis on extrastriate visual cortex in primates.  Wilfried Rossoll wrossol@emory.eduAssociate FacultyClick To View My Lab WebsiteOur main research interest is the biological role of mRNA transport and local translation in neurons and their dysfunction in neurological diseases. The focus of several ongoing projects is on animal and in vitro models of motor neuron disease to study the axonal function of the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease protein SMN and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease protein TDP-43 in motor neurons. It is our long-term goal to gain an understanding of the underlying molecular pathology of SMA and ALS that will help us to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In collaboration with the Emory core facilities, we use a variety of approaches. These include primary neuron cell culture, proteomics methods, generation of transgenic mice, engineered TALEN nucleases, AAV vectors for gene delivery into the spinal cord, differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into motor neurons, and the use of compartmentalized cultures and microfluidic devices. In collaboration with the Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology we are also developing human patient-derived stem cell culture models of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disease and high content assays for drug discovery.  Alan Sokoloff sokoloff@physio.emory.eduAssociate FacultyMy research focuses on the interactions between central nervous system and muscle physiology to determine the fundamentals of motor control and its evolution in vertebrates. I believe that a comprehensive understanding of motor systems can best arise from comparative investigation of interactions between the multiple elements - cortex, brainstem, spinal cord, muscle - that control posture and movement. I am therefore pursuing this study through investigation of the basic neural principles that organize motor behavior and the phylogenetic constraints that limit and shape neuromuscular adaptation.  David W. Wright dwwrigh@emory.eduAssociate FacultyThe focus of my research is on the pathophysiology of neuroinjury and the development of early interventions and treatments. My current research focus is to determine if the administration of neurosteroids are effective in mediating neuroprotection and neurorepair after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our research demonstrates the progesterone and allopregnanolone reduce cerebral edema, loss of neurons, inflammatory cytokine production, lipid peroxidation, and improve behavioral outcome after experimental TBI.  Stuart Zola szola@rmy.emory.eduAssociate FacultyOur research program is focused on identifying the brain structures important for memory and delineating how these structures separately and in combination contribute to memory function. Our work in animals currently includes monkeys and rats, and the behavioral tests we use to assess memory in our experimental animals are based in large part on our experience with testing human amnesic patients. We use a variety of memory tasks, brain imaging, conditioning paradigms, and naturalistic behaviors, and more recently have been developing the use of reversible lesions to study both declarative memory (mediated by the temporal lobe) and nondeclartive memory (mediated by brain regions outside the temporal lobe). Additionally, we study emotional behavior and its link to memory function in humans and animals.  |
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L. Howell Lab - Brain activation elicited by cocaine in a single nonhuman primate (fMRI)
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Y. Smith Lab - 3D Reconstructed Dendritic Spine in the Striatum
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J. Rilling Lab - Areas that are more strongly activated when a person learns that his/her social partner has elected to not cooperate with them
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