Mentor Areas
My lab is focused on investigating molecular mechanism underlying drug addiction and depression, with stress being a causative factor for both. We use genetic mouse models to interrogate the genome and subsequent behavioral changes resulting from our manipulations. The overall goal is to identify factors that can be linked to vulnerability and/or persistence of drug addiction and depression. Ultimately we expect the identification of such factors to lead to the rational development of therapies to treat these complex diseases.
Description:
The “heroin epidemic” facing our nation today is often the result of use and abuse of prescription opioids early in life. We are interested in investigating the long lasting impact these drugs have, and if these effects are different depending on the stage of life when they are taken ( i.e. adolescent vs adult). We will investigate changes in genetic and epigenetic markers and characterize anxiety, stress reactivity and depression in well established behavioral models.
Ideally the interested student would devote two semesters to a project, with half of the first semester spent in training while the second half could be spent performing behavioral assays. The second semester could then be spent analyzing the brains of mice characterized in behavior. We have been successful in securing undergraduate funding for students to occasionally continue their work over the summer.
Preferred Qualifications
Sophomores and juniors are preferred. A molecular biology background is helpful, as are skills either in animal handling and/or basic laboratory skills, including pipetting.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.