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STUDENT PROFILES · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L Todd Ahern [tahern@learnlink.emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2004 Degree/School : BA in Neuroscience & Biology, Oberlin College Advisor: Larry Young Research Interest : I am interested in how early life experience influences the brain systems that underlie adult social bonding and nurturing behaviors.   Website Amy Anderson-Zose [akande2@emory.edu] Year Matriculated: 2006 Degree/School : Neuroscience, College of William and Mary Advisors: Elaine Walker and W. Edward Craighead Research Interest : My three main areas of interest are 1) exploring cognition with fMRI 2) brain development in children and 3) familial transmission of affective disorders. My thesis research which began in Dr. Clint Kilts' lab allowed me to combine these three areas in a unique collaboration with the Women's Mental Health Program at Emory (WMHP) and the Child and Adolescent Mood Program at Emory (CAMP). Generally, I am interested in social cognition, reward processing, and executive functioning in the brain and how these processes change as the brain matures. I am also interested in the functional and anatomical brain changes that occur with the onset of depression and anxiety disorders and the effects of prenatal exposure to depression, stress, and antidepressants on brain development. Santiago Archila [santiago.archila@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School: BS in Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech Advisor: Astrid Prinz Research Interest: The role of homeostatic synaptic plasticity in regulating neuronal network activity. Harry Aung [kyawhein@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : BA in Biology, Grinnell College Advisor : Machelle Pardue Research Interest : I am interested in diabetic retinopathy (DR), especially the mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction in early stage of DR, detected even before the actual clinical diagnosis.    Catherine (Katie) Barrett [cbarre2@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School: BS in Biology, Penn State Advisor : Larry Young Research Interest : I am interested in the hormonal, developmental, and genetic influences on complex social behaviors.  Specifically, I am researching the role of vasopressin V1a receptors in prairie voles using siRNA knockdown technology. David Bass [dibass@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School: BA in Psychology, Cornell University Advisor : Joe Mann Research Interest : I am characterizing differences in memory encoding for object-location, and perhaps emotion, along the septo-temporal axis of the rat hippocampus.     James Bogenpohl [jbogenp@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2004 Degree/School : BA, Biology, Washington University Advisor: Yoland Smith Research Interest : Examining new pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's Disease involving metabotropic glutamate receptors and A2A adenosine receptors. Mallory Bowers [mallorybowers@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School :  BA in Biological Basis of Behavior, University of Pennsylvania Currently doing lab rotations Andrew Brooks [abrook6@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : BS in Psychology, Mercer University Advisor : Gregory Berns Research Interest : I am using fMRI along with economic paradigms to understand how and why humans make the decisions that they do. Terrell Brotherton [tbrothe@emory.edu] Year Matriculated: 2006 Degree/School: Biology, Duke University Advisor: Jonathan Glass Research Interest : I am interested in protein misfolding in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The most common known mutations associated with ALS are found in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 - a ubiquitous cytosolic protein. Despite the ubiquitous nature of this protein, motor neurons are selectively affected in disease, prompting the hypothesis that there is something specific in the motor neuron environment allowing for SOD1 toxicity. I am interested in discovering how the SOD1 protein in motor neurons differs from protein found in other neurons, specifically sensory neurons. Katherine Bryant [KatherineLBryant@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School : BS in Biology, College of William & Mary; MS in Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University Currently doing lab rotations James Burkett [james.p.burkett@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School : BS in Biology & Chemistry, Emory University Currently doing lab rotations Catie Capello [ccapell@emory.edu] Year Matriculated: 2007 Degree/School : Biology, University of New Hampshire Advisor : Mike Owens Research Interest : I am studying the epigenetics changes associated with prenatal exposure to stress and antidepressants.   Amanda Caster [acaster@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School : BS in Physical Chemistry and BS in Biomedical Science, Antioch University Advisor: Rick Kahn Research Interest : We work on the role of Arf (ADP ribosylation factor) dependent adaptors within the context of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, we study how changes in membrane traffic affect production of neurotoxic beta-amyloid. Monica Chau [mchau@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : BS in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior; University of California, Davis Advisor : Ling Wei Research Interest : I am interested in using neuroprotective agents and stem cell transplantation in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Amarallys Cintron [afcintr@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School : BS in Neuroscience, University of Florida Currently doing lab rotations Debra Cooper [debra.cooper@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School : Psychology, Duke University Advisors : Leonard Howell & David Weinshenker Research Interest : My interests are in the neurobiology of drugs of abuse.  Specifically I am focusing on cocaine pharmacotherapies using behavioral techniques and in vivo microdialysis.   Sarah Cork [scork@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2005 Degree/School : Biological Anthropology, Duke University Advisor: Erwin Van Meir Research Interest : My dissertation research focuses on characterizing the mechanisms by which a novel brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor (BAI1) impedes the progression of highly vascularized glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and deadly form of brain cancer in adults. I am investigating the proteolytic cascade which generates BAI1-derived secreted anti-angiogenic fragments and the signaling pathways they regulate, in addition to characterizing their anti-tumor activity in orthotopic xenograft models. Todd Deveau [tdeveau@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School :  BS in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Currently doing lab rotations Sarah DeWitt [sarah.dewitt5@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School : BA in Neuroscience, Barnard College Currently doing lab rotations Charity Duran [cduran@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School : Molecular Biology and Musical Performance, Meredith College (NC) Advisor: Criss Hartzell Research Interest : I am interested in studying the role of ion channels in cell physiology.  Chloride channels are critical for numerous physiology processes including fluid and salt secretion, sensory transduction, pH regulation, and neuronal excitability.  Chloride channel defects result in a variety of diseases including cystic fibrosis, deafness, and neurodegenerative diseases.  Understanding the physiological roles of chloride channels and their regulation is key to developing disease therapies.  I am currently studying calcium-activated chloride channels. Stacey Dutton [sbdutto@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2005 Degree/School : Biology, University of Maryland Advisor: Andrew Escayg Research Interest : I am interested in understanding the mechanisms by which mutations in SCN1A lead to epilepsy.  Specifically, I am interested in developing better treatment options and the neuronal cell type specific effects of mutations in this voltage-gated sodium channel.  I am also interested in studying the role febrile seizures play in the progression of epilepsy from childhood to adulthood. David Ehrlich [dehrli2@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School : Neuroscience, Brown University Advisor : Donald Rainnie Research Interest : My research interests include functional neuroanatomy, synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation, and nervous system development. I find the extended amygdala of particular interest because affective experience is ubiquitous; it provides an avenue to study how simple cellular and molecular changes amount to complex experiences that are universally relevant and appreciable. To this end, I use in vitro electrophysiology and molecular approaches to study activity- and experience-dependent changes in affective circuitry. Alisha Epps [sepps@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School : Psychology, University of South Carolina Advisor: David Weinshenker Research Interest : I am interested in the co-morbidity of depression and epilepsy. My research utilizes several lines of rats that have been selectively bred for susceptibility or resistance to a depression-like phenotype on the forced swim test. These rat lines are also differentially susceptible to seizures; I will use the kindling model of epileptogenesis to expand our understanding of this difference. I am also analyzing the genetic basis of this co-morbidity by QTL analysis and microarray to identify candidate genes of interest. Yanjie Fan [yanjie.fan@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : BS in Biotechnology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Advisor : James Zheng Research Interest : I am interested in cytoskeletal control of synaptic development and plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Ming-fai Fong [ming-fai.fong@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : BS in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Advisors : Pete Wenner and Steve Potter Research Interest : I am interested in robust control strategies that promote functional activity in  neural networks.  I characterize homeostatic mechanisms in developing and mature spinal networks by combining whole-cell and multichannel extracellular electrophysiology. Sara Freeman [smfreem@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School : Biology, University of Virginia Advisor: Larry Young Research Interests : I am interested in the neural and genetic basis of social behavior, specifically the mechanism of action and circuitry of the neuropeptide oxytocin and its role in mediating social and maternal motivation and the processing of social cues. Chris Funderburk [funde001@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : Biology and Chemistry; MA in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Alabama Advisor: Kerry Ressler       Meriem Gaval [mgaval@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2005 Degree/School : Biology/Psychology, Florida State University Advisor: David Weinshenker Research Interests : My main research interest is the neurobiology of drug addiction, with emphasis on cocaine pharmacotherapies. Recently, a drug called disulfiram has been shown to decrease cocaine intake in addicts, but the mechanisms of how it is doing so are not well-understood. Disulfiram is an inhibitor of the enzyme DBH, the enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine. I am currently using DBH WT and KO mice to test whether pharmacological and genetic DBH inhibition can result in hyperdopaminergic signaling and whether this is underlying aversive responses to cocaine. Kalynda Gonzales [kkgonza@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School : Biology, University of Massachusetts Advisor: T. Wichmann/Y. Smith Research Interest : I am interested in examining the intrinsic GABAergic microcircuitry that modulates the neuronal activity of striatal cholinergic interneurons in primates by using neuroanatomical and electrophysiological methods.   Lucy Guillory [lcguill@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School : Psychology, University of Georgia Advisor : Charles Nemeroff and Becky Kinkead Research Interests : I am interested in the neurobiology of schizophrenia.  Particularly, I am interested in how the neuropeptide neurotensin modulates response to antipsychotic drugs. I am also interested in sex differences in schizophrenia and how the estrous cycle in rats affects dopamine and neurotensin systems. I use knockout of the neurotensin gene and overexpression of neurotensin receptors in rodents to explore the behavioral and neurobiological effects of neurotensin on antipsychotic drug response. Nicola Hanson [nhanson@learnlink.emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2002 Degree/School : BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University Advisor: Charles Nemeroff Research Interest : I am interested in the effects of manipulation of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system on various aspects of hippocampal neuroplasticity, including cell proliferation / neurogenesis, cell death / atrophy, and expression of neurotrophic factors and their receptors. Constance Harrell [csharrell@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School : BA in International Relations, Pomona College Currently doing lab rotations Erin Hecht [ehecht@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School : Cognitive Science and Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego Advisor: Lisa Parr Research Interest : I am interested how the brain evolved to support complex social cognitive behavioral abilities like action understanding, imitation, and empathy.  I use diffusion tensor imaging, PET functional neuroimaging, and behavioral tasks to study the neural correlates of these abilities in rhesus macaques, chimpanzees, and humans. Eric Heuer [eheuer@learnlink.emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2004 Degree/School : BS Neuroscience & Psychology, Allegheny College Advisor : Jocelyne Bachevalier Research Interest : My research focus is aimed at discerning the functional relationships between the medial temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex in learning and memory. I am currently employing behavioral assessment, PET imaging and histological anatomy in neonatally lesioned non-human primates to address these issues. Brittany Howell [bcopp@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2006 Degree/School : BS in Neuroscience and BS in Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University Advisor: Mar Sanchez Research Interest : My research is focused on determining the effects of infant maltreatment (a form of early life stress) on neurodevelopment and how these alterations are related to psychopathology. We use in vivo imaging techniques to follow structural changes in the brains of rhesus macaques with histories of maternal physical abuse and neglect from birth through adulthood. We combine our measures of brain development with behavioral observations to relate structural changes we find to alterations in social behavior. The ultimate goal is to use this information to development effective preventative therapies and treatments in human victims of maltreatment.       Shareen Iqbal [saiqbal@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2004 Degree/School : BA, Psychology, Indiana University Advisor : Leland Chung Research Interest : Interested in interactions between the immune and nervous systems at the neuroendocrine and behavioral level. Zack Johnson [zjohnso2@gmail.com] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School :  BS in Biology, University of Illinois Currently doing lab rotations Michael Jutras [mjutras@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2004 Degree/School : BS in Neuroscience, Brown University Advisor: Elizabeth Buffalo Research Interest : I am generally interested in the neural mechanisms underlying complex behaviors such as learning and attention. My research is directed towards investigating the rhythmic activity of neural networks in the medial temporal lobe and how this activity correlates with memory formation. Eileen Kessler [ejkessl@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School : Psychology, Smith College Advisor: Leonard Howell Research Interest : I am interested in neuroadaptations in the serotonin system and its role in modulating the dopamine system in the context of cocaine abuse. Leila Khoogar [lkhooga@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2009 Degree/School : BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University Advisor : Steven Warren Research Interest : I am interested in using new techniques in genetics to determine important genes/proteins involved in the pathogenesis of Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.     Lanikea King [lking7@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2008 Degree/School : BA in Cognitive Science, University of Hawaii Advisor : Larry Young Research Interest : I am interested in using genomic analysis to identify genetic variation underlying organizational differences in the brain of the prairie vole. Michael Kelly [mckelly@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2005 Degree/School : BS in Neuroscience, University of Rochester Advisor: Ping Chen Research Interest : I am interested in the cellular mechanisms involved the development of the mammalian auditory sense organ, the organ of Corti. I am also interested in using this knowledge to test possible interventions to induce functional regeneration of auditory hair cells after acute deafening. Damon Lamb [dlamb@emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School : BS Mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park;  BS Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park;  MS Computer Science, University of Chicago Advisor: Ron Calabrese and Rob Butera Research Interests : Biological Neural Networks, neural modeling, electrophysiology, and information processing Sammy Lee [mhlee4@LearnLink.Emory.Edu] Year Matriculated : 2007 Degree/School :  BS in Biochemistry and Psychology, Texas A&M University Advisor: Lian Li Research Interest : I'm interested in investigating the pathogenesis of neurological diseases at the molecular and cellular levels, specifically by characterizing the biochemical properties and functions of proteins implicated in these diseases as well as the molecular and cellular consequences of genetic mutations in these proteins.   Andrea Liatis [aliatis@learnlink.emory.edu] Year Matriculated : 2003 Degree/School : BS in Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology Advisor : Andrew Miller Research Interest : Andrea's research lies in searching for possible mechanisms linking inflammation to major depression, specifically through the actions of the sympathetic nervous system,  which will help identify molecular targets relating the sympathetic nervous systems contributions to the relationship among stress, depression, and disease.