Department of
Neuroscience

Current Graduate Students

Neuroscience Ph.D. Candidates

  • A photo of Raymond Anderson.

    Raymond Anderson

    B.S., Psychology and Biology, University of South Dakota
    Advisor:
    Dr. David Smith
    Room
    3130F HSC-North
    Research Interests:
    Mechanics of Proteasome Function
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • DeVallance E, Branyan K, Lemaster KA, Anderson RT, Marshall KL, Olfert M, Smith DM, Bryner R, Frisbee J, Chantler P (2018) Exercise Reduces TNFa and ROS Production in Perivascular Adipose Tissue Preventing Metabolic Syndrome Impairment of Aortic Function. In Review
    • Smith JP, Prince MA, Achua JK, Robertson JM, Anderson RT, Ronan PJ, Summers CH (2016).Intensity of anxiety is modified via complex integrative stress circuitries. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 63: 351-361.
    • Snoberger A, Anderson RT, Smith DM (2017). The proteasomal ATPases use a slow moving but high power strategy to unfold proteins. Frontiers Molecular Biosciences.
    • Thibaudeau TA, Anderson RT, Smith DM. (2018). A Common mechanism of proteasome impairment by neurodegenerative disease-associated oligomers. Nature Communications.
    Award
    • 2nd place poster presentation. Appalachian Regional Cell Conference, October 2016
    • WVU Travel Award recipient. November 2016
    • F-31 Pre-doctoral Fellowship. December 2017-Present
  • A photo of Jacob Boos.

    Jacob Boos

    B.S., Biology, St. Edward's University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Werner Geldenhuys
    Room
    121 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Neurodegenerative Diseases - Alzheimer's Disease in particular
  • A photo of Emily Burrage.

    Emily Burrage

    B.S., Neuroscience, Minor in Chemistry, Bay Path University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Paul Chantler
    Room
    8604 HSC
    Research Interests:
    The role of stress and obesity on the neurovascular unit
  • A photo of Russell Hardesty.

    Russell Hardesty

    B.S., Engineering, Case Western Reserve University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Valeriya Gritsenko
    Room
    151 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    My research is focused on understanding the neural mechanisms of motor control (how the brain controls and coordinates movement) and how that system goes awry during pathological states, such as after a stroke.
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • R. L. Hardesty, P. H. Ellaway, and V. Gritsenko, (2019) Corticospinal Dynamics Reflect Muscle Recruitment During Volitional Reaching Tasks. Under Revision.
    • R. L. Hardesty, M. T. Boots,S. Yakovenko, and V. Gritsenko, (2019) The Primary Sensory Afferents Do Not Form Muscle Groups that Account for Mechanical Limb Dynamics. Submitted.
    • Sobinov, A., Yakovenko, S., Gritsenko, V., Hardesty, R., Boots, M.T. (2017) Approximation of complex musculoskeletal dynamics. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/559,711 Filing Date: September 18, 2017. International Application No. PCT/US18/51575 Filing Date: September 18, 2018.
    • V. Gritsenko, R. L. Hardesty, M. T. Boots, and S. Yakovenko (2016) Biomechanical constraints underlying motor primitives derived from the musculoskeletal anatomy of the human arm. PLoS ONE, 11(10), e0164050. PMID: 27736890
    Award
    • June 2016 - April 2017: Selected as an associate scholar to the Integrative Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Program (Institutional T32 Award: NIGMS T32 GM081741).
    • April 2017: 2017 WVU Rising Star Award in Neuroscience
    • May 2017: Selected as trainee for Stroke and Co-Morbidities Training Program (Institutional T32 Award: NIGMS T32 AG052375).
    • July 2017:  Selected for the National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies Summer Course 
  • A photo of Rachel Hostetler.

    Rachel Hostetler

    B.S., Neuroscience and German Studies, University of Minnesota
    Advisor:
    Dr. Aric Agmon
    Room
    320 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Investigating the diverse roles of somatostatin-containing inhibitory interneurons in the barrel cortex of the mouse, and how changes in their activity underlie associative learning.
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Hu X, Urhie O, Chang K, Hostetler R, Agmon A (2018) A Novel Method for Training Mice in Visuo-Tactile 3-D Object Discrimination and Recognition. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 12. 
    Award
    • 2018-2019: Trainee, NIH T32 "Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences" Training Grant NIGMS GM081741
    • 2017-2018: Associate Scholar, NIH T32 "Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences" Training Grant NIGMS GM081741  
  • A photo of Dakota Jackson.

    Dakota Jackson

    B.S., Biology, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. George Spirou
    Room
    321 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Neural development, Synaptogenesis, Synaptic competition, & Physiology Behavior
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Sivaramakrishnan S*, Brandebura A*, Holcomb P, Daniel Heller D, Kolson D, Jackson D, Mathers P, Spirou G (accepted 2018) Perinatal Development of the Medial Nucleus of the Trapezoid Body. In The Oxford Handbook of the Auditory Brainstem; Ed. Karl Kandler; Oxford University Press. *co-first authors.
    • GA Spirou, D Jackson and GA Perkins. (2015) Mitochondria Anchored at the Synapse, in The Functions, Disease-Related Dysfunctions, and Therapeutic Targeting of Neuronal Mitochondria (eds V. K. Gribkoff, E. A. Jonas and J. M. Hardwick), John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, NJ.
    • GA Perkins, DR Jackson, GA Spirou. Resolving presynaptic structure by electron tomography. Synapse 69 (2015), pp. 268-82
    • PS Holcomb, BK Hoffpauir, MC Hoyson, DR Jackson, TJ Deerinck, GS Marrs, M Dehoff, J Wu, MH Ellisman, GA Spirou. Synaptic inputs compete during rapid formation of the calyx of Held: a new model system for neural development. J Neurosci Off J Soc Neurosci, 33 (2013), pp. 12954-12969

     

     

    Award
    • NanoSafe (formerly WVNano Initiative) Fellowship recipient, 2011
  • A photo of Mason McCollum.

    Mason McCollum

    Advisor:
    Dr. Charles Anderson
    Room
    318 BMRC
  • A photo of Tyler McGaughey.

    Tyler McGaughey

    Advisor:
    Dr. Victor Finomore
    Room
    RNI
  • A photo of Sree Motipally.

    Sree Motipally

    B.S., Microbiology, Genetics and Chemistry, M.S., Biotechnology, Osmania University, M.S., Biology, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Saravanan Kolandaivelu
    Room
    E363, E357, WVU Eye Institute
    Research Interests:
    Neurodegeneration and rescue
  • A photo of Deidre O'Dell.

    Deidre O'Dell

    B.S., Biology, California University of Pennsylvania, M.S., Human Biology, Chatham University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Bernard Schreurs
    Room
    1510 RNI
    Research Interests:
    Learning and memory, development, perineuronal nets, cerebellum, behavior, PTSD, AD
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Wang, D, Smith-Bell, CA, Burhans, LB, O'Dell, DE, Bell, RW, Schreurs, BG, (2018). Changes in membrane properties of rat deep cerebellar nuclear projection neurons during acquisition of eyeblink conditioning, PNAS.
    Award
    • 2016 - 2018 BBS T32 Trainee
    • 2018 Rising Star Award for Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience
  • A photo of Tiffany Pertisko.

    Tiffany Pertisko

    B.S., Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Gregory Konat
    Room
    2317 HSC-N
    Research Interests:
    Neuroinflammation, peripheral immune to brain signaling, neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, seizure syndromes, multiple sclerosis, stroke
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Petrisko TJ, Konat GW (2019) Peripheral viral challenge exacerbates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Metabolic brain disease.
    • Petrisko T, Konat G (2017) Peripheral viral challenge triggers hippocampal production of inflammatory proteins. Metabolic brain disease 32:1249-1254.
    • Hunsberger, H.C., Wang, D., Petrisko, T.J., Alhowail, A., Setti, S.E., Suppiramaniam, V., . . . Reed, M.N. (2016). Peripherally restricted viral challenge elevates extracellular glutamate and enhances synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. J Neurochem. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13665
    • Petrisko, Tiffany. Quantification of Upper Motor Neurons in a Rodent Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Honors Thesis, Emory University. 2014.
    • Grubbs, N., Leach, M., Su, X., Petrisko, T., Rosario, J.B., & Mahaffey, J.W. (2013). New components of drosophila leg development identified through genome wide association studies. PLoS One, 8(4), e60261. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060261
    Award
    • 2018 WVU School of Medicine Outstanding Merit Fellowship for Continuing Doctoral Student
    • 2018 WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Travel Award ($1000)
    • 2018 Associate Scholar, NIH T32 Training Grant AG052375, "Stroke and Its Co-Morbidities", West Virginia University
    • 2014 Graduated with Honors in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University
    • 2014 Best Poster, SIRE-HHMI Poster Presentations, Emory University, Natural Sciences
    • 2012 - 2013 SIRE-HHMI Research Partners Program, Emory University
  • A photo of Dominic Quintana.

    Dominic Quintana

    B.S., Biology, University of Texas at Brownsville
    Advisor:
    Dr. James Simpkins
    Room
    105 BMRC
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • DD Quintana, X Ren, H Hu, EB Engler-Chiurazzi, SL Rellick, SE Lewis, JM Provoznic, JW Simpkins, M Alvi (2018) Gradual common carotid artery occlusion as a novel model for cerebrovascular hypoperfusion. Metab Brain Dis. 33(6):2039-2044.
    • DD Quintana, JA Garcia, SN Sarkar, S Jun, EB Engler-Chiurazzi, AE Kerr, JZ Cavendish, JW Simpkins (2017) Hypoxia-Reoxygenation of Primary Astrocytes Results in a Redistribution of Mitochondrial Size and Mitophagy. Mitochondrion. (Under Review).
    • DD Quintana, SE Lewis (2017) Cerebrovascular Casts. Featured Researcher. News Letter, Microscope Imaging Facility. Morgantown, WV.
    • SN Sarkar, S Jun, S Rellick, DD Quintana, JZ Cavendish, JW Simpkins (2016) Expression of MicroRNA-34a in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Targets Genes Linked to Synaptic Plasticity, Energy Metabolism, and Resting State Network Activity. Brain Res. 1646:139-151.
    • M Bukeirat, SN Sarkar, Hu H, DD Quintana, JW Simpkins, X Ren (2016) MiR-34a regulates blood-brain barrier permeability and mitochondrial function by targeting cytochrome c. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 36:387-392.
    Award
    • 2016-2017 [Scholar] Associate Scholar, T32 Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
    • 2017-2018 [Scholar] T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV.
  • A photo of James Scripter.

    James Scripter

    Advisor:
    Dr. Eric Tucker
    Room
    314 BMRC
  • A photo of Catherine Smoot (Smith).

    Catherine Smoot (Smith)

    B.S., Biology, Oregon State University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Eric Tucker
    Room
    314 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    I am studying the role of the novel gene map3k12 binding inhibitory protein (Mbip) in cortical interneuron development using novel genetic mouse models, with a focus on assessing the effects of genetic knockout on postnatal anatomical structure and animal behavior.
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Brett D. Dufour, Catherine A. Smith, Randall L. Clark, Timothy Walker and Jodi L. McBride. “Intra-jugular vein delivery of AAV9-RNAi prevents neuropathological changes and weight loss in Huntington’s disease mice,” Molecular Therapy 2014.
    • Jessica G. Clemente, Abigail K. Myers, Skye E. Hickling, Catherine A. Smith, and Eric S. Tucker. "JNK signaling preserves cortical interneuron stream integrity and radial organization of the cortical plate," (in progress).
    Award
    • 2019 2nd Place Graduate Student Talk, Appalachian Regional Cell Biology Conference, West Virginia University
    • 2019 Travel Award for Success in ARCC preparation, Cell Biology Training Program, West Virginia University
    • July 2017 - June 2018 Schoepp Neuroscience Research Student Fellowship Award
  • A photo of Ariel Thomas.

    Ariel Thomas

    B.A., Biology/Neuroscience, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Valeriya Gritsenko
    Room
    151 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Motor control, Stroke, Rehabilitation, Virtual Reality, Modeling
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • K. Blair, L. Kaptis, J. Keeting, A.Wright, A.Thomas, M.Boots, A. Sobinov, and V. Gritsenko (2018) The Use Electromyography of Wrist and Hand Motions for the Development of a Virtual Reality Prosthesis: A Mechanism Study. WVU Doctor of Physical Therapy Research Thesis
    • Bradley SP, Chapman PD, Thomas A, Daly KC (2016) Olfactory network function is modulated by flight motor pattern generating centers: Evidence for the first corollary discharge circuit to an olfactory pathway, Chemical Senses 1(9):E140-E140
    Award
    • National Institute on Aging T32 Fellowship, AG052375
    • Arlen G. and Louise Stone Swiger Fellowship
    • American Councils for International Education Business, Technology and Innovation Scholarship
    • Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Trainee Travel Award
    • Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Doctoral Student Travel Award
  • A photo of Paula Webster.

    Paula Webster

    B.A., Psychology, Wheeling Jesuit University
    Advisor:
    Dr. James Lewis
    Room
    312 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Neural mechanisms underlying sensory processing and integration in individuals with autism
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Webster PJ, Frum CA, Kurowski-Burt A, Lewis JW. Adaptive brain mechanisms in adolescents and adults with high-functioning autism for processing naturalistic and dynamic multisensory stimuli. (In preparation).
    • Webster PJ, Skipper-Kallal LM, Frum C, Still, HN, Ward D, Lewis JW. Divergent human cortical regions for processing distinct acoustic-semantic categories of natural sounds: Animal action sounds vs. vocalizations. Frontiers in Neuroscience (January 2017) 10:579. doi: 10.3389/fnins..2016.00579.
    Award
    • WVU Mountains of Excellence Scholarship
    • WVU Office of Graduate Education Travel Award
    • Founding President – WVU Neuroscience Graduate Student Organization
    • Schoepp Family Fund at WVU for neuroimaging training at NIH
    • WVU Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Scholarship travel funds
    • Cum Laude – B.A. Psychology, Wheeling Jesuit University
    • Psi Chi - National Honor Society of Psychology

Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. Candidate

  • A photo of John Zachary (J.Z.) Cavendish .

    John Zachary (J.Z.) Cavendish

    B.A., Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. James Simpkins
    Room
    105 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Pathophysiology of neurodegeneration; mitochondrial structure, function, and dynamics within cortical and hippocampal neurons.
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • J.Z. Cavendish, S.N. Sarkar, M.A. Colantonio, D.D. Quintana1, N. Ahmed, B.A. White, E.B. Engler-Chiurazzi and J.W. Simpkins, Mitochondrial Movement and Number Deficit in Embryonic Cortical Neurons from 3xTg-AD Mice, J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;70(1):139-151.
    • Quintana, Dominic D., Jorge A. Garcia, Saumyendra N. Sarkar, Sujung Jun, Elizabeth B. Engler-Chiurazzi, Ashley E. Russell, John Z. Cavendish, and James W. Simpkins. 2018. Hypoxia-reoxygenation of primary astrocytes results in a redistribution of mitochondrial size and mitophagy. Mitochondrion. 2018 Dec 27. pii: S1567-7249(17)30028-4. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2018.12.004. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:30594729
    • Sarkar, S., Jun, S., Rellick, S., Quintana, D., Cavendish, J., and Simpkins, J. Expression of MicroRNA-34a in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Targets Genes Linked to Synaptic Plasticity, Energy Metabolism, and Resting State Network Activity. Brain Research. 2016 Sep 1;1646:139-51. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.05.026.
    • Nguyen, L., Thomas, K. L., Lucke-Wold, B. P., Cavendish, J. Z., Crowe, M. S., Matsumoto, R. R. (2016). Dextromethorphan: An update on its utility for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders . Pharmacology Therapeutics, 159, 1-22.
    • Nguyen, L., Lucke-Wold, B. P., Mookerjee, S. A., Cavendish, J. Z., Robson, M. J., Scandinaro, A. L., Matsumoto, R.R. (2015). Role of sigma-1 receptors in neurodegenerative diseases. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 127 (1), 17-29.
    • Hu, H., Cavendish, J. Z., Agmon, A. (2013). Not all that glitters is gold: off-target recombination in the somatostatin–IRES-Cre mouse line labels a subset of fast-spiking interneurons. Frontiers in neural circuits, 7, 195.
    • Wan, Y. W., Raese, R. A., Fortney, J. E., Xiao, C., Luo, D., Cavendish, J., ... & Guo, N. L. (2012). A smoking-associated 7-gene signature for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis. International Journal of Oncology, 41(4), 1387-1396.
    Award
    • Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Scholarship for Predoctoral Researchers. ($300 to lab supplies), 2015
    • Daryl Schoepp Fund for Neuroscience Students Performing Pharmacology Research. ($1,250 toward Marine Biological Laboratory microscopy course), 2015
  • A photo of Jessica Cunningham (Clemente).

    Jessica Cunningham (Clemente)

    B.S., Biochemistry, Mercyhurst University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Eric Tucker
    Room
    314 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Neurodevelopment, Autism
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Jessica G. Clemente, Jack D. Williams, Marlene Cross, Candace C. Chambers. Analysis of Garlic Cultivars Using Head Space Solid Phase Microextraction/Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy. The Open Food Science Journal, 2011,6,1-4.
    • Coyne SP, Lindell SG, Clemente J, Barr CS, Parker KJ, Mastripieri D. Dopamine D4 receptor genotype variation in free-ranging rhesus macaques and its association with juvenile behavior. Behav Brain Res. 2015 Oct 1; 292:50-5.
    Award
    • 2019 1st Place Poster Presentation, Appalachian Regional Cell Conference, West Virginia University
    • 2019 1st Place Poster Presentation, Van Liere Research Conference, West Virginia University
    • 2018 3rd Place Poster Presentation, Neuroscience category, Undergraduate Spring Symposium, West Virginia University
    • 2018 1st Place Oral Presentations Van Liere Research Conference, West Virginia University
    • 2017 1st Place Poster, Neuroscience category, BRNI Neuroscience Retreat, Canaan Valley
    • 2017 Neuroscience Retreat 2nd Place Overall Poster Presentation, BRNI Neuroscience Retreat, Canaan Valley
    • 2017 1st Place Poster Presentation, Van Liere Research Conference, West Virginia University 
    • 2016 1st Place Poster Presentation, Van Liere Research Conference, West Virginia University 
  • A photo of Divine Nwafor.

    Divine Nwafor

    B.Sc., Biochemisty, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Candice Brown
    Room
    108 BMRC
    Research Interests:
    Sepsis, Alzheimer’s disease and Traumatic Brain Injury
    Achievements:
    Publication
    • Nwafor DC, Petrone AB, Collins JM, Adcock AK. Paraneoplastic Opsoclonus Myoclonus in a Patient with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine. April 2019:1-3. doi:10.1155/2019/3601026.
    • Nwafor, D, Brichacek A, Griffith A, Mohammed A, Lucke-Wold B, Geldenhuys W, Lockman P, Brown C. Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier to Prevent Sepsis-Associated Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Central Nervous System Disease. April 2019. doi:10.1177/1179573519840652.
    • Nwafor, D., Radwan, W., Lucke-Wold, B., Underwood, W., Gyure, K., Marsh, R., (2018). Follicular lymphoma presenting as scalp mass deformity: Case Report and Review of the literature. Biomedical Research and Clinical Practice, 3(1): 1-3
    • Wold BL, Nolan R, Nwafor D, Nguyen L, Cheyuo C, Turner R, Rosen C, Marsh R (2018). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Delineating the Progression and Underlying Mechanisms Following Blast Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurosci Neuropharmacol. 2018;4(1). pii: 118. Epub 2018 Mar 2.
    • Lucke-Wold, B., Nolan, R., Nwafor, D., Nguyen, L., Cheyuo, C., Rosen, C., Marsh, R.,Turner, R., Marsh, R., (2018). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Delineating the Progression and Underlying Mechanisms Following Blast Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurosci Neuropharm 4:118.
    • Nwafor, D., Brichacek, A., Griffith, A., Mohammed, A., Lucke-Wold, B., Geldenhuys, W., Lockman, P., Brown, C., (2018). Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Sepsis. Journal of Central Nervous System Disease (Currently in review)
    • Nwafor D, Zdilla, M.J., Petrone, A.B., and Lambert, H.W. (2018). Bilateral elongated styloid processes with a unilateral triticeal cartilage in the stylohyoid ligament: Implications in Eagle syndrome. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy (submitted)
    • Divine C. Nwafor, Ashley B. Petrone, Joseph M. Collins, and Amelia K. Adcock. (2018). Paraneoplastic Opsoclonus Myoclonus with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Journal of Neurological Sciences (submitted)
    • Bornali Kundu, MD, PhD*, Brandon Lucke-Wold, MD, PhD*, Chase Foster, MD, Dario J. Englot, MD, PhD, Ogaga Urhie, Divine Nwafor, John D. Rolston, MD, PhD. (2018). Fornicotomy for the Treatment of Epilepsy: a Re-examination of the Literature. Journal of Neurosurgery (submitted)
    Award
    • 2018 - 2020 Stroke T32 Trainee Developmental Scholarship ($3000/year)
    • 2018 Stevenson Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Scholarship ($2500)
    • 2018 WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Travel Award ($1000)
    • 2017 IDeA Southeast Regional Conference Poster Award (3rd Place)
    • 2017 WVU E. Van Liere Conference Poster Award (1stPlace)
    • 2016 Mountaineer Medical Scholarship ($20,000 for four years) 
    • 2015 WVU Order of Augusta Award
    • 2015 WVU Foundation Outstanding Graduating Senior Award
    • 2015 Woodburn Circle Society Recognition Dinner
    • 2015 Gamma Sigma Delta Inductee Recognition Dinner
    • 2015 Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Senior Award
    • 2014 Woodburn Circle Society Recognition Dinner
    • 2014 Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Sophomore Award
    • 2014 Davis College Alumni Scholarship ($1000)
    • 2013 WVU International Student Merit Scholarship (Full year tuition covered)
    • 2011 - 2015 President’s List