Michelle Corkrum

Ph.D. 2019

Member of MSTP (MD/PhD) program

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Thesis Title:

Astrocyte-neuron signaling in the nucleus accumbens: implications for brain reward signaling

Current Position:

Resident, Child Neurology, Columbia University

Undergraduate Institution and Major:

Wellesley College, BA, Neuroscience, 2012

Advisor:

Alfonso Araque, Ph.D., Department of Neuroscience

Description of Graduate Research:

My project aims to investigate the role of astrocytes in cocaine addiction. Traditionally, astrocytes have been viewed as passive players in brain function; however, astrocytes actively regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. My project examines the effects of cocaine on astrocyte-neuron interactions in the nucleus accumbens, a primary brain region implicated in addiction.

Graduate Publications:

  • Corkrum M, Araque A. Astrocyte-neuron signaling in the mesolimbic dopamine system: the hidden stars of dopamine signaling. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2021 Oct;46(11):1864-1872.
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Lines J, Bellocchio L, Pisansky M, Loke K, Quintana R, Rothwell PE, Lujan R, Marsicano G, Martin ED, Thomas MJ, Kofuji P, Araque A. Dopamine-evoked synaptic regulation in the nucleus accumbens requires astrocyte activity. Neuron. 2020 Mar 18;105(6):1036-1047.
  • Corkrum M, Rothwell PE, Thomas MJ, Kofuji P, Araque A. Opioid-mediated astrocyte-neuron signaling in the nucleus accumbens. Cells. 2019 Jun 14;8(6). pii: E586.

Graduate Abstracts:

  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Quintana R, Loke K, Araque A. Dopamine regulates synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens via the activation of astrocytes. GLIA Edinburgh 2017: Abstracts Oral Presentations, Posters, Indexes. Glia, 65: E103–E578. doi:10.1002/glia.23157
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Quintana R, Loke K, Araque A. Dopamine-evoked synaptic regulation in the brain reward system requires astrocyte activity. 2017 NIDA-NIAAA Mini-Convention: Frontiers in Addiction Research. https://apps1.seiservices.com/nida-niaaa/frontiers2017/Abstracts_Biographies/Abstract_Araque_Alfonso.pdf

Invited Talks:

  • Corkrum M. Astrocytes mediate brain reward signaling in the nucleus accumbens. University of Minnesota Graduate program of Neuroscience Annual Retreat (February, 2018, Minneapolis, MN).
  • Corkrum M. The role of astrocytes in drug addiction. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Meeting (October, 2015, San Antonio, TX).

Graduate Level Presentations:

  • Corkrum M, Thai M. Horek N, Albott CS, Klimes-Dougan B, Lim KO, Cullen KR. Safety and clinical efficacy evaluation of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation in adolescence with treatment resistant depression. Minnesota Neuromodulation Symposium (Minneapolis, MN). Poster Presentation, April 2018.
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Quintana R, Loke K, Araque A. Dopamine regulates synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens via the activation of astrocytes. European Meeting on Glial cells in Health and Disease (Edinburgh, Scotland). Poster Presentation, July 2017.
  • Corkrum M. Astrocytes: The hidden stars of treating drug addiction. University of Minnesota 3-Minute Thesis Competition (Minneapolis MN). Oral Presentation, People’s Choice Award, May 2017..
  • Corkrum M. Astrocytes mediate dopaminergic signaling in the nucleus accumbens core. University of Minnesota Graduate program of Neuroscience Colloquium Series (Minneapolis, MN). Oral Presentation, March 2017.
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Quintana R, Araque A. Amphetamine depresses nucleus accumbens synaptic transmission via astrocyte signaling. University of Minnesota Wallin Neuroscience Discovery Day (Minneapolis, MN). Poster Presentation, February 2017.
  • Corkrum M. Astrocyte-neuron Signaling in the Reward System. University of Minnesota Graduate program of Neuroscience Colloquium Series (Minneapolis, MN). Oral Presentation, may 2016.
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Araque A. Astrocyte-neuron Signaling in the Reward System. University of Minnesota Wallin Neuroscience Discovery Day (Minneapolis, MN). 1st Place Poster, April 2016.
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Araque A. The effects of cocaine on astrocyte-neuron signaling in the nucleus accumbens. International Astrocyte School Conference (Bertinoro, Italy). Oral Presentation, April 2016
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Araque A. Astrocyte-neuron Signaling in Reward. University of Minnesota Graduate program of Neuroscience Annual Retreat (Minneapolis, MN). Poster, February 2016.
  • Corkrum M, Covelo A, Araque A. Astrocyte-neuron Signaling in Reward. Institute for Translational Neuroscience Research Retreat (Minneapolis, MN). Poster, January 2016.
  • Corkrum M. Role of Astrocyte Neuromodulation in Drug Addiction. University of Minnesota Medical Scientist Training Program Annual Retreat (Duluth, MN). Oral Presentation, July 2015.
  • Corkrum M. Astrocytes and Drug Addiction. National Institute of Mental Health MD/PhD Student Conference (San Francisco, CA). Oral Presentation, November 2014.

Research Support:

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F30DA042510), 2016-2019

Graduate Awards and Honors:

  • American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Life Members
    Mentorship Grant for Medical Students, 2015.
  • American Psychiatric Association Minority Medical Student Scholarship: Annual Meeting, 2015.
  • National Institute of Mental Health MD/PhD student conference travel award, 2014.

Other Committee Involvement:

  • MSTP (MD/PhD) Student Admissions Committee, 01/15-Present
  • MSTP (MD/PhD) Retreat Planning Committee, 08/12-08/15
  • MSTP (MD/PhD) Volunteer Committee, 08/14-08/15
  • MSTP (MD/PhD) Newsletter Committee, 08/14-08/15
  • Psychiatry Student Interest Group, Chair, 08/13-05/14
  • MSTP (MD/PhD) Student Advisory Committee 06/12-06/13

Professional Outreach:

  • St Paul Public Library Reading Tutor, 08/14-05/15
  • University of MN Student National Medical Association Pre-med mentor, 08/13-05/14

Thesis Committee Members:

Research Categories:

  • Drug Abuse & Addiction
  • Synaptic Plasticity & Learning

Rotations:

Why Did You Choose MN?

I was confident that Minnesota would provide the best training for my ultimate career goal of becoming a successful, independent physician-scientist.

Student Mentor and the Best Advice They Gave:

Anja Srienc: All of Anja's advice was helpful!

 

Michelle Corkrum