Undergraduate Institution and Major/Degree:

• Luther College, BA Biology and Psychology, 2005

Major Advisor(s):

• Michael Georgieff, M.D.

Research Description:

Iron deficiency during prenatal and early postnatal development is a common occurrence worldwide, and has lasting cognitive consequences.  My work focuses on identifying the cellular and genetic factors underlying the behavioral and cognitive phenotypes associated with perinatal iron deficiency. In particular, cellular signaling pathways which integrate energy availability and production and cellular growth and synaptic plasticity.  I utilize genetic mouse models in combination with qPCR, protein assays, IHC, and behavioral assessment to approach the question of how perinatal iron deficiency leads to neural and behavioral alterations which persist far beyond the period of deficiency.

Lab Rotations:

• Scott Selleck
• William Iacono
• Michael Georgieff

Courses Taken Beyond the Core Courses:

• Child Psychology: Cognitive Development (CPSY 8301)
• Advanced Developmental Biology (GCD 8161)
• Biochemical Aspects of Cell Growth and Death, (MICaB 8009)
• Neurostatistics (NSC 8320)
• Neurobiology in Disease (NSC 5667)
• GRAD 8101: Teaching in Higher Education 

Committee Members:

• Yasushi Nakagawa-Chair
• Jonathan Gewirtz
• Thomas Neufeld
• Michael Georgieff-Advisor 

Conferences Attended and Presentations:

• Society for Neuroscience annual meeting - Fall 2005, 2007
• Society for Pediatric Research 2008 (Poster Symposium Presentation)

Publications: 

Tran, P., Carlson, E.S., Fretham, S.J.B ., Georgieff, M.K. (2008). Early-life Iron Deficiency Anemia Alters Neurotrophic Factor Expression and Hippocampal Neuron Differentiation in Male Rats. Journal of Nutrition , 138(12):2495-501.

Tran, P., Fretham, S.J.B. , Carlson, E.S., Georgieff, M.K. (2008). Long-Term Reduction of Hippocampal BDNF Activity Following Fetal-Neonatal Iron Deficiency in Adult Rats. Pediatric Research , in press.

Abstracts: 

Fretham, S.J.B. , Carlson, E.S., Petryk, A., Georgieff, M.K. 2009. Timing of Prevention of Long-term Behavioral Deficits in Mice Following Fetal-Neonatal Hippocampal Iron Deficiency.   Submitted for  Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2009.

Fretham, S.J.B. , Carlson, E.S., and Georgieff, M.K. 2008. Hippocampal Iron Deficiency Alters Activation of mTOR Signaling During Development. Abstract for poster presentation, Pediatric Academic Societies and Asian Society for Pediatric Research Joint Meeting, 2008, and the University of Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs Research Recognition Day, 2008.

Bohmer, S.J ., Carlson, E.S., and Georgieff, M.K. 2007. Prenatal/Early postnatal iron deficiency anemia reduces S6K phosphorylation in the developing hippocampus. Abstract for poster presentation, Society for Neuroscience, 2007.

Awards and Honors:

• Center for Neurobehavioral Development Fellowship, 2006-2007
• Translational Research in Neurobiology of Disease Training Grant Recipient 2007-2008
• National Research Service Award, NINDS. "The Effects of Early Iron Deficiency on mTOR Signaling" 2008-2011
• Poppele Award, 2008

Home Town:

• Estherville, IA