Current Graduate Students

Neuroscience Ph.D. Candidates

Name:

Raymond Anderson

Education:

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

2^nd place poster presentation. Appalachian Regional Cell Conference, October 2016

WVU Travel Award recipient. November 2016

F-31 Pre-doctoral Fellowship. December 2017-Present
Name:

Philip Bender

Education:

B.S., Biology, University at Albany, SUNY, M.H.S., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Advisor:

Dr. Charles Anderson

Room:

318 BMRC
Name:

Jacob Boos

Education:

B.S., Biology, St. Edward's University

Advisor:

Dr. Werner Geldenhuys

Room:

121 BMRC

Research Interests:

Neurodegenerative Diseases - Alzheimer's Disease in particular
Name:

Jacob Bumgarner

Education:

B.M., Piano Performance, West Virginia University

Advisor:

Dr. Randy Nelson

Room:

305 BMRC
Name:

Emily Burrage

Education:

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
Name:

Alexis Crockett

Advisor:

Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

Room:

3126 HSC-N
Name:

Russell Hardesty

Education:

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
Name:

Rachel Hostetler

Education:

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
Name:

Dakota Jackson

Education:

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
Name:

Jennifer Liu

Education:

B.S., Biology, Utica College

Advisor:

Dr. Randy Nelson

Room:

305 BMRC
Name:

Mason McCollum

Advisor:

Dr. Charles Anderson

Room:

318 BMRC
Name:

Tyler McGaughey

Advisor:

Dr. Victor Finomore

Room:

RNI
Name:

Olga Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez

Education:

B.S., Integrative Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus

Advisor:

Dr. Randy Nelson

Room:

305 BMRC
Name:

Sree Motipally

Education:

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
Name:

Deidre O'Dell

Education:

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
Name:

Robin Oliverio

Advisor:

Dr. Zachary Weil

Room:

313 BMRC
Name:

Dominic Quintana

Education:

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.
Name:

James Scripter

Education:

B.S., Biology, Westfield State University

Advisor:

Dr. Eric Tucker

Room:

314 BMRC
Name:

Catherine Smoot (Smith)

Education:

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
Name:

Ariel Thomas

Education:

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
Name:

Bailey Whitehead

Advisor:

Dr. Zachary Weil

Room:

313 BMRC

Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. Candidate

Name:

Jessica Cunningham (Clemente)

Education:

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
Name:

Divine Nwafor

Education:

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 (3^rdPlace)

2017 WVU E. Van Liere Conference Poster Award (1^stPlace)

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