Undergraduate Institution and Major/Degree:
- B.A., Psychology and Political Science, 2008
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
Major Advisor(s):
Research Description:
The role of functional and structural plasticity of dendritic spines in drug addiction has recently attracted great attention from both basic researchers and clinicians. Although it is known that drugs of abuse cause spine plasticity, the intracellular signaling pathway through which these changes are mediated is unknown. My thesis research aims to reveal a novel signaling pathway that mediates drug-induced plasticity of dendritic spines. Therefore, the CaMKII/Kalirin7/Rac1 signaling pathway may become a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of drug addiction.
Lab Rotations:
- Mark Thomas
- Dezhi Liao
- Bob Meisel
Conferences Attended and Presentations:
- Society for Neuroscience - 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010
Committee Members:
- Bob Meisel - Chair
- Paulo Kofuji
- Stanley Thayer
- Dezhi Liao - Advisor
Professional Memberships:
Home Town:
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