MY RESEARCH INTERESTS AND BACKGROUND
I am interested in understanding the neural circuit control of behaviors that are disrupted in psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. I am particularly interested in how neuromodulators impact inhibitory synapses in the brain. My research focuses on identifying the maladaptive changes to neural circuitry that underlies psychiatric disease in an effort to provide new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
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I started my scientific journey as an undergraduate (at Colby College) and post-baccalaureate trainee (at NIDA) where I focused on the neural circuitry involved in drugs of abuse. From there, I became an experienced slice electrophysiologist during my PhD (at Brown) and uncovered circuit specific synaptic plasticity that was differentially regulated by opioids.
Currently, as a postdoctoral scholar (at Stanford), I study amygdala circuits that are involved in negative reinforcement and opioid use disorder. We linked amygdala dysfunction in a particular subregion with behavioral, neuronal and synaptic impairments in a mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Then, we identified an intervention that rescued behavioral deficits in Sapap3 knockout mice during a task that is relevant to exposure response therapy.
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ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION & TRAINING
BACHELOR OF ARTS, COLBY COLLEGE
2008 - 2012
Graduated cum laude in Psychology w/Neuroscience concentration
Worked in labs of Drs. Steven Harrison, Tariq Ahmad, Melissa Glenn
Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Behavioral Neuroscience Branch
Mentor: Yavin Shaham, PhD
2012 - 2014
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
BROWN UNIVERSITY
2014 - 2019
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
GLADSTONE INSTITUTES & UCSF
2019 - 2022*
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2022 - present
Department of Neuroscience
Degree Conferred: May 2019 Link to my dissertation
Mentor: Julie Kauer, PhD
Committee: Drs. Barry Connors, Christopher Moore, Christopher McBain
Department of Neurological Disease
Mentor: Anatol Kreitzer, PhD
*Kreitzer Lab closed August 2022
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor: Robert Malenka, MD PhD
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
SLICE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
COMPLEX BEHAVIOR
COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS
DRUG SELF ADMINISTRATION
OPTOGENETICS,
CHEMOGENETICS
FIBER PHOTOMETRY
ANATOMY
MY SKILL SET
Being a scientist requires more than technical prowess, novel ideas, and attention to detail...I strive to always be a good colleague, mentor, and member of the community. Below are some attributes that I highly value and believe are essential to being a great scientist and leader.
MENTORING
I have formally and informally mentored others at every stage of my scientific journey. Early on, this took the form of teaching others how to do something, like rodent surgery. Now, I have more experiences acting as a primary mentor for undergraduates. Inclusion is a cornerstone of this part of my job. Mentoring is not only a skill, but a passion of mine that I look forward to improving on.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION / OUTREACH
A major motivating factor in my career has been to improve equity and access to scientific careers for underrepresented groups. I consider it both my duty and privilege as a scientist to make STEM more inclusive for everyone and will continue to champion DEI efforts as a member of the scientific community.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Dissemination of research findings is critical for scientific progress as well as building trust with the wider community. I pride myself on my ability to communicate my ideas and findings to anyone, tailoring the words to make the conversation, publication, or presentation understood by those present.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
If you know me, you'll know that I love to juggle at least a few projects at once. Maybe it's that science is full of failures and it's nice to always have something on the back-burner or maybe I just can't pick only one question at a time. Either way, I've developed copious skills in managing my time, keeping others on track, and making sure that we move forward efficiently.
MORE ABOUT ME
