Available Master's Projects
Dr. Aric Agmon:
The seemingly miraculous abilities of the human cerebral cortex are the outcome of billions of neurons constantly communicating with each other via myriads of synaptic connections; however, we still lack a detailed knowledge of who is connected with whom and how - i.e., of the "wiring diagram" of this impossibly complex neuronal network. In the Agmon lab we are beginning to address this challenge by reconstructing in 3D, from serial electron-microscope images, the detailed structures of identified neurons, together with their detailed input and output synaptic connections. This is labor-intensive work, but it rewards its practitioners with eye-opening insights into the structure and function of the brain. This work can be done by motivated undergraduate or graduate students at their own schedule on our lab computers, whether engaged in part-time research, in a summer internship, or in full-fledged dissertation research. No prior skills are required, but previous exposure to basic concepts in neuroscience may be helpful. If you're interested in working in Dr. Agmon's lab, please reach out to him at AAgmon@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Charlie Anderson:
The Anderson lab has multiple projects focused on synaptic physiology and neuronal circuit interrogation. They use a variety of techniques from 2-photon imaging of genetically encoded calcium and voltage imaging in intact mice, acute brain slice whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in mouse brain slices, animal behavioral assays, and cell culture approaches. Their aim is to uncover novel synaptic mechanisms that contribute to brain function in health and disease, and we are actively developing novel pharmacological compounds to modulate neuronal function. The Anderson lab is always looking for motivated people to join their team and contribute to their active and exciting research program. If you're interested in working in Dr. Anderson's lab, please reach out to him at charles.anderson@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Aminata Coulibaly:
The Coulibaly lab need someone to help work on their ongoing stroke project. The overall goal of the project is to understand how neutrophils influence stroke recovery. Essentially, the lab is working to determine if neutrophil function can account for the sex differences seen in the mice being used for this study. Dr. Coulibaly is willing to talk specifics with anyone who is interested in learning more! If you're interested in working in Dr. Coulibaly's lab, please reach out to her at Aminata.Coulibaly2@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Martin Hruska:
The Hruska lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in both health and disease, with a primary focus on synaptic dysfunction in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Their research aims to uncover which synapses are most vulnerable in AD, how the disease affects them at the molecular level, and what these changes mean for synaptic function and plasticity. To address these questions, they utilize a combination of super-resolution imaging, molecular biology, and biochemistry. If you're interested in working in Dr. Hruska's lab, please reach out to him at martin.hruska@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Shahrzad Latifi:
Dr. Latifi's lab has the following three project options available:
1) Employing connectomics-based approaches to understand brain networks dynamics after stroke and/or traumatic brain injury.
2) Application of advanced drug delivery platform to enhance motor recovery in stroke and/or traumatic brain injury
3) Applicaiton of machine learning / artificial intelligence models to decode complex motor behavior
If you're interested in working in Dr. Latifi's lab, please reach out to her at shahrzad.latifikhereshky@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Kathleen Morrison:
The Morrison lab seeks to understand why some people suffer negative consequences of adversity, while others are resilient. The lab is especially interested in better understanding the factors that influence women’s health throughout the lifespan. By utilizing translationally-relevant mouse models and engaging in collaborations with clinicians, the lab examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms of experience-dependent resilience and vulnerability to stress. If you're interested in working in Dr. Morrison's lab, please reach out to her at kathleen.morrison@mail.wvu.edu.
Dr. Randy Nelson:
Circadian rhythms are endogenous biological rhythms of about 24 hours and are a fundamental characteristic of life. Although life evolved over the past 3-4 billion years under bright days and dark nights, humans have been able to interrupt this natural light-dark cycle for the past 130 years or so with light at night (LAN). The Nelson laboratory studies the effects of these disrupted circadian rhythms on several parameters. Current projects in the lab include: the effects of LAN on neuroinflammation due to TBI, exposure to air particulates, stroke outcome, and fentanyl use. If you're interested in working in Dr. Nelson's lab, please reach out to him at Randy.Nelson@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Vincent Setola:
The Setola lab has a new, NIH-funded project to assess the efficacy of focused ultrasound on methamphetamine self-administration in mice. They will also test control and methamphetamine self-administering mice for electrophysiological differences in the nucleus accumbens, and will determine whether focused ultrasound normalizes any methamphetamine self-administration-associated differences in (inter)neuronal excitability. If you're interested in working in Dr. Setola's lab, please reach out to him at vssetola@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. William Walker:
Current projects within the Walker lab include: (1) examining the effects of chrono-chemotherapy treatment for brain metastases of breast cancer, (2) investigating whether chronotherapeutic treatment of cancers can improve cancer survivors’ quality of life, and (3) examining the effects of timed CAR T-cell administration on anti-tumor efficacy in solid tumors. If you're interested in working in Dr. Walker's lab, please reach out to him at william.walker2@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Zachary Weil:
Dr. Weil's lab looks at animal models of the behavioral and functional outcomes of traumatic brain injury. They are particularly interested in the vascular and metabolic consequences of injury and strategies for promoting recovery and preventing long term decline. If you're interested in working in Dr. Weil's lab, please reach out to him at Zachary.Weil@hsc.wvu.edu.
Dr. Sergiy Yakovenko:
The principles of movement control—underlying strategies, planning, and execution—remain insufficiently identified for real-time applications in brain-computer interfaces or prosthetics. The Yakovenko lab's projects combine theoretical and experimental approaches to bridge these gaps in healthy humans and those with pathologies. Using physiology, engineering, and computer science methodologies, they test real-time interfaces during locomotion and reaching movements using peripheral (electrical or vibrotactile) and central (TMS, VR/AR) stimulation. The impact of this effort is in developing theoretical frameworks, rehabilitation approaches, and intellectual property for technology. If you're interested in working in Dr. Yakovenko's lab, please reach out to him at seyakovenko@hsc.wvu.edu