Department of
Neuroscience

Current Graduate Students

Neuroscience Graduate Students

  • A photo of Raymond Anderson.
    Raymond Anderson
    B.S., Psychology and Biology, University of South Dakota
    Advisor:
    Dr. David Smith
    Research Interests:
    Mechanics of Proteasome Function
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • DeVallance E, Branyan K, Lemaster KA, Anderson RT, Marshall KL, Olfert M, Smith DM, Bryner R, Frisbee J, Chantler P. 2019. Exercise training prevents the perivascular adipose tissue-induced aortic dysfunction with metabolic syndrome. Redox Biology.
    • Thibaudeau TA, Anderson RT, Smith DM. 2018. A common mechanism of proteasome impairment by neurodegenerative disease-associated oligomers. Nature Communications.
    • Snoberger A, Anderson RT, Smith DM. 2017. The proteasomal ATPases use a slow moving but high power strategy to unfold proteins. Frontiers Molecular Biosciences.
    • 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.
    Awards
    • 2017 - 2020 F-31 Pre-doctoral Fellowship, West Virginia University
    • 2016 - Present WVU Cell Biology Training Program, West Virginia University
    • 2016 - WVU Travel Award recipient 
    • 2016 - 2nd place at Appalachian Regional Cell Conference Poster Presentation
    • 2013 - Present National Society of Leadership and Success, University of South Dakota
    • 2013 - Louella E. Cable Scholarship, University of South Dakota
    • 2011 - Present Alpha Lambda Delta/Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, University of South Dakota
    • 2010 - Coyote Commitment Scholarship, University of South Dakota
    • 2010 - South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
  • A photo of Philip Bender.
    Philip Bender
    B.S., Biology, University at Albany, SUNY, M.H.S., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
    Advisor:
    Dr. Charles Anderson
    Research Interests:
    Auditory processing and synaptic zinc
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2013 - Presidential Leadership Award: School Spirit, SUNY Albany
    • 2012 - Found Being: Inclusive Award, SUNY Albany
    • 2011 - Committed to a Cause Award, SUNY Albany
    • 2011 - FISH Philosophy Award, SUNY Albany
    • 2011, 2013 - Spirit Award, SUNY Albany
    • 2009-2012 - Presidential Scholarship, SUNY Albany
    • 2009, 2011 - Dean’s list of Distinguished students, SUNY Albany
  • A photo of Jacob Boos.
    Jacob Boos
    B.S., Biology, St. Edward's University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Werner Geldenhuys
    Research Interests:
    Neurodegenerative Diseases - Alzheimer's Disease in particular
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Boos, J.R., Shubbar, A. & Geldenhuys, W.J. 2021. Dual monoamine oxidase B and acetylcholine esterase inhibitors for treating movement and cognition deficits in a  elegansmodel of Parkinson’s disease. Med Chem Res, 30, 1166–1174.
    Awards
    • 2019 - Present Stroke and its Comorbidities T32 Training Grant, Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2019 - Dr. James Stevenson Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Scholarship, West Virginia University
    • 2017 - 120th Annual Texas Academy of Science 1st Place Oral Presentation Award
    • 2016 - NSF Fellowship
    • 2013 - 2017 St. Edward’s University Fr. Edward Sorin Fellowship
    • 2013 - 2014 NSF-CASAR Fellowship
  • A photo of Jacob Bumgarner.
    Jacob Bumgarner
    B.M., Piano Performance, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Randy Nelson
    Research Interests:
    Disruption of circadian rhythms, pain, and stroke.
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Bumgarner JR, Walker II WH, Nelson RJ. 2021. Circadian rhythms and pain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 129: 296-306.
    • Bumgarner JR, Nelson RJ. 2021. Implications of disrupted circadian rhythms on pain. J Psychiatry Brain Sci, 6, e210014.
    • Nelson RJ, Bumgarner JR, Walker WH, DeVries AC. 2021. Time-of-day as a critical biological variable. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 127, 740-6. *Recommended in Faculty Opinions
    • Bumgarner JR, Nelson RJ. 2021. Light at night and disrupted circadian rhythms alter physiology and behavior. Integr Comp Biol, icab017.
    • Walton JC, Walker WH, Bumgarner JR, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Liu JA, Hughes HL, Kaper AL, Nelson RJ. 2021. Circadian variation in efficacy of medications. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 109, 1457-88. *Recommended in Faculty Opinions
    • Bumgarner JR, Nelson RJ. 2021. A novel and open-source application for vasculature dataset analysis and visualization. Cell Reports Methods. In Revision.
    • Walker II WH, Bumgarner JR, Becker-Krail DD, May LE, Nelson RJ. 2021. Light at night disrupts biological clocks, calendars, and immune function. Semin Immunopathol. In Press.
    • Walker II WH, Bumgarner JR, Nelson RJ, DeVries AC. 2020. Transcardial perfusion is not required to accurately measure cytokines within the brain. J Neurosci Methods, 108601. *Recommended in Faculty Opinions
    • Walker WH, Bumgarner JR, Walton JC, Liu JA, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Nelson RJ, DeVries AC. 2020. Light pollution and cancer. Int J Mol Sci, 21, 9360.
    • Bumgarner JR, Walker WH, Liu JA, Walton JC, Nelson RJ. 2020. Dim light at night exposure induces cold hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in male mice. Neuroscience, 434, 111-9.
    • Weil ZM, Fonken LK, Walker II WH, Bumgarner JR, Liu JA, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Zhang N, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2020. Dim light at night exacerbates stroke outcome. Eur J Neurosci, 52: 4139.
    • Sprowls SA, Arsiwala TA, Bumgarner JR, Shah N, Lateef SS, Kielkowski BN, Lockman PR. 2019. Improving CNS delivery to brain metastases by blood-tumor barrier disruption. Trends Cancer, 5, 495-505.
    Awards
    • 2020 – Present NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2019 – Present Arlen G. & Louise Stone Swiger Fellowship, West Virginia University
    • 2019 – Order of Augusta Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2018 – WVU Young Artist Competition, 1st Prize
    • 2018 –  Anna Lee Porter Riddle Scholarship, West Virginia University
    • 2016 – WVU International Piano Competition, 1st Prize
    • 2015-2019 – Presidential Scholarship, West Virginia University
    • 2015-2019 – Ida Cope Tait Music Scholarship, West Virginia University
    • 2015-2019 – Valerie Canady Charitable Trust Foundation Scholarship, West Virginia University
    • 2015-2019 – President’s List, West Virginia University
  • A photo of Emily Burrage.
    Emily Burrage
    B.S., Neuroscience, Minor in Chemistry, Bay Path University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Paul Chantler
    Research Interests:
    The role of stress and obesity on the neurovascular unit
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Burrage E, Marshall K.L, Santanam N, and Chantler PD. Cerebrovascular dysfunction with stress and depression. Brain Circulation, 4(2) 43-53, 2018.
    • O’Connell GE, Walsh K, Burrage E, Adeoye O, Chantler PD, AND Barr TL. High-throughput profiling reveals widespread sex-associated differences in the composition of circulating proteome following ischemic stroke. Physiological Genomics, 50(10):876-883, 2018.
    Awards
    • 2021 – Annual Stroke Symposium Awardee (1st place), West Virginia University
    • 2019 – Present Stroke and its Co-Morbidities T32 Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2019–2020 – Toxicology Working Group Travel Award, West Virginia University
    • 2020 – Mitochondria, Metabolism, and Bioenergetics Travel Award, West Virginia University
    • 2018–2019 – Stroke and its Co-Morbidities T32 Fellow, West Virginia University
    • 2016–2017 – Division of Research and Academic Resources Dean’s Award, Bay Path University 
  • A photo of Briana Clary.
    Briana Clary
    B.S., Biology & Psychology, East Tennessee State University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Candice Brown
    Research Interests:
    Stroke, Sepsis, and Alzheimer's Disease
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2021-Present – NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2016–2020 – Academic Performance Scholarship, West Virginia University
  • A photo of Alexis Crockett.
    Alexis Crockett
    B.S., Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy
    Research Interests:
    Investigate role of the small GTPase ARL13B in photoreceptor cilia
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2015–2018 – Virginia Tech Presidential Scholarship Initiative Recipient Honors Charles Center Scholarship for Research
    • 2015–2018 – Dean’s List, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
  • A photo of Jacob Feldmann.
    Jacob Feldmann
    B.S. Neuroscience, minor in Biochemistry, The College of William and Mary
    Advisor:
    Dr. Gordon Meares
    Research Interests:
    Stroke and neurodegenerative diseases- Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and MS.
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2014–2016 – Dean’s List, The College of William and Mary
    • 2014–2018 – First Team National Academic Award Recipient
    • 2014–2016; 2018 – Men’s Gymnastics National Academic Champion Team
    • 2013 – Men’s Gymnastics Maccabiah Team
    • 2011–2013 – Junior Olympic Gymnastic Nationals
  • A photo of Rachel Hostetler.
    Rachel Hostetler
    B.S., Neuroscience and German Studies, University of Minnesota
    Advisor:
    Dr. Aric Agmon
    Research Interests:
    Investigating the diversity of the somatostatin-containing inhibitory interneuron subpopulations and their involvement in cerebral cortex circuitry.
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • 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. 
    Awards
    • 2020 – Outstanding Service Award- WVU Office of Research and Graduate Education
    • 2018-2020 – NIH T32 Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2017-2018 – NIH T32 Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
  • A photo of Anna Korol.
    Anna Korol
    B.S., Physical and Biomedical Electronics, National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute"
    Advisor:
    Dr. Valeriya Gritsenko
    Research Interests:
    Computational Neuroscience, Motor Control, Numerical Simulation of Dynamical Systems, Stroke Rehabilitation, Machine Learning.
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Korol A, Karplyk Y. 2019. Hemodynamic parameters analysis by laser doppler flowmetry. Proceedings of XVIII International Scientific and Technical Conference "Physical processes and fields of technical and biological objects", Kremenchug, Ukraine, ISSN 2305-1353, pp. 57 - 58.
    • Korol A. 2018. Submillimeter bolometer sensors. Proceedings of II All-Ukrainian Student’s Scientific and Practical Conference "The science of the 21st century: challenges, priorities, prospects for research", NTUU Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine, Online resource, Volume 2, pp. 149 - 152.
    • Korol A. 2017. Analysis of methods and applications for predicting epileptic seizures. Proceedings of XVIII All-Ukrainian Student’s Scientific and Practical Conference "Science and technology of the XXI century", NTUU Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine, ISSN 2411-3050, pp. 100 - 102.
    Awards
    • 2018 – Finalist, Global Nominee, NASA Space Apps Challenge 2018, Kyiv, Ukraine
    • 2017 – Finalist, EBEC (European BEST Engineering Competition), Kyiv, Ukraine
  • A photo of Jennifer Liu.
    Jennifer Liu
    B.S., Biology, Minor in Healthcare Ethics and Chemistry, Utica College
    Advisor:
    Dr. Randy Nelson
    Research Interests:
    Chronobiology, Circadian Disruptions, and the role of Dim Light at Night on Physiology in the context of Stroke
    Achievements:
    Publications

    • Liu JA, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Bumgarner JR, Nelson RJ. 2021. Effect of light pollution on photoperiod-driven seasonality. Horm Behav. (Under Review).

    • Walker WH, Bumgarner JR, Becker-Krail DD, May LE, Liu JA, Nelson RJ. 2021. Light at night disrupts biological clocks, calendars, and immune function. Semin Immunopathol. In Press.

    • Walker WH, Kvadas RM, May LE, Liu JA, Bumgarner JR, Walton WC, DeVries AC, Dauchy RT, Blask DE, Nelson RJ. 2021. Artificial light at night reduces anxiety-like behavior in female mice with exacerbated mammary tumor growth. Cancers, 13: 4860.

    • Liu JA, Walton JC, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2021. Disruptions to circadian rhythms and thrombolytic therapy during ischemic stroke intervention. Front Neurosci.

    • Walker WH 2nd, Bumgarner JR, Walton JC, Liu JA, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Nelson RJ, DeVries AC. 2021. Light pollution and cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. In press.

    • Walton JC, Walker WH 2nd, Bumgarner JR, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Liu JA, Hughes HL, Kaper AL, Nelson RJ. 2020. Circadian variation in efficacy of medications. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic. In press.

    • Weil ZM, Fonken LK, Walker WH 2nd, Bumgarner JR, Liu JA, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Zhang N, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2020. Dim light at night exacerbates stroke outcome.  European Journal of Neuroscience, 52(9):4139-4146.

    • Bumgarner JR, Walker WH 2nd, Liu JA, Walton JC, Nelson RJ. 2020. Dim light at night exposure induces cold hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in male mice. Neuroscience, 434:111-119.

    Awards
    • 2018-2019 – Dr. Robert M. Green Scholarship, Utica College
    • 2017 – Dean’s Honor List, Utica College
    • 2015-2019 – International Merit Award, Utica College
  • A photo of Abbey Manning.
    Abbey Manning
    B.S., Biochemistry, St. Vincent College
    Advisor:
    Dr. Charles Anderson
    Research Interests:
    Auditory processing and synaptic zinc
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2022 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2021 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
  • A photo of Mason McCollum.
    Mason McCollum
    B.S., Biochemistry, Mercyhurst University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Charles Anderson
    Research Interests:
    Auditory processing and synaptic zinc
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2020 – Present Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Scholar, West Virginia University
    • 2020 – Present The National Society of Leadership and Success Member, West Virginia University
    • 2020 – Dr. James Stevenson Scholarship Recipient, West Virginia University
    • 2019-2020 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
  • A photo of Tyler McGaughey.
    Tyler McGaughey
    B.S., Biology & Chemistry, Hampden Sydney College
    Advisor:
    Dr. Victor Finomore
    Research Interests:
    Functional neuroimaging, chronic lower back pain, and endogenous pain modulation mechanisms.
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Fischer KM, Scott T, Browe D, McGaughey TA, Woods C, Wolyniak MJ, & Freeman JW. 2020. Hydrogels for skeletal muscle regeneration. Regenerative Engineering and Translation Medicine.
    Awards
    • 2019-Present – Behavior and Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program T32 Research Scholar, West Virginia University
    • Virginia Academy of Sciences: Best poster in biomedical and general engineering section
    • Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
  • A photo of Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez.
    Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez
    B.S., Integrative Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
    Advisor:
    Dr. Randy Nelson
    Research Interests:
    Circadian biology disruption focused on health outcomes, particularly as it relates to recovery after injury (cardiac arrest, stroke, neuroinflammation), affective disorders and ageing.
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Meléndez‐Fernández OH, Walton JC, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2021. Disrupted circadian rhythms and cardiac function. Under review in Biomolecules.
    • Meléndez‐Fernández OH, Zhang N, Walton JC, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2021. Effects of light at night on hippocampal vasculature, neural integrity, inflammation and behavior after cardiac arrest and resuscitation. In prep.
    • Walker WH II , Sprowls SA, Bumgarner JR, Liu JA, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Walton JC, Lockman PR, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2021. Circadian influences on chemotherapy efficacy in a mouse model of brain metastases of breast cancer. Submitted to Frontiers in Neuroscience.
    • Walker WH II , Bumgarner JR, Walton JC, Liu JA, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Nelson RJ, DeVries AC. 2021. Light pollution and cancer. J Mol Sci, 21(24), 9360.
    • Walton JC, Walker WH II, Bumgarner JR, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Liu JA, Hughes HL, Kaper AL, Nelson RJ. 2020. Circadian variation in efficacy of medications. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 
    • Walker WH II, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Pascoe JL, Zhang N, DeVries AC. 2020. Social enrichment attenuates chemotherapy induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and affective behavior via oxytocin signaling. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
    • Weil ZM, Fonken LK, Walker WH II, Bumgarner JR, Liu JA, Melendez‐Fernandez OH, ... Nelson RJ. 2020. Dim light at night exacerbates stroke outcome. European Journal of Neuroscience.
    • Walker WH II*, Meléndez‐Fernández OH*, Nelson RJ, Reiter RJ. 2019. Global climate change and invariable photoperiods: a mismatch that jeopardizes animal fitness. Ecology and evolution, 9(17), 10044-10054.
    • Walker WH II*, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Nelson RJ. 2019. Prior exposure to dim light at night impairs dermal wound healing in female C57BL/6 mice. Archives of dermatological research, 311(7), 573-576.
    • Walker WH, Borniger JC, Gaudier-Diaz MM, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Pascoe JL, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. 2019. Acute exposure to low-level light at night is sufficient to induce neurological changes and depressive-like behavior. Molecular psychiatry, 1-14.
    • Fonken LK*, Meléndez-Fernández OH*, Weil ZM, Nelson RJ. 2014. Exercise attenuates the effects of dim light at night on metabolism. Journal of Physiology and Behavior, 124 (2014) 33-36.
    • Fonken LK, Aubrecht TG, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Weil ZM, Nelson, RJ. 2013. Dim light at night disrupts molecular circadian rhythms and increases body weight. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 28: 262-271
    Awards
    • 2020-Present – Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant T32 Scholar, West Virginia University 
    • 2019-2020 – Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant T32 Affiliate Scholar, West Virginia University 
    • 2014-2016 – Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences
      Fellowship
    • 2013 – University of Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Programs Campus Preview
      Weekend Travel Grant
    • 2013-2014 – Baylor College of Medicine SMART PREP Post-baccalaureate Program NIGMS Grant
    • 2013 – 1st Place in Research Workshop category, for the How to create and efficiently
      present a research poster, in the First Undergraduate Meeting of Research and
      Creation of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
    • 2013 – NIMH’S Career Opportunities in Research (COR) Scholar
    • 2012 – NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Fellowship
    • 2012 – NSF Illinois Summer Neuroscience Institute (ISNI) Fellowship participant
      University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
    • 2012 – University of Texas Cullen Trust for Higher Education Fellowship Travel Award
  • A photo of Brooklyn Metz.
    Brooklyn Metz
    B.S., Biomedical Engineering , West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Sergiy Yakovenko
    Research Interests:
    Neuromechanics, Rehabilitation Engineering, and Motor Control
    Achievements:
    Awards
    • 2020-Present – WVU STEM fellowship
    • 2018-2019 – WVU Dean's List
    • 2016-2020 – WV Promise Scholar
    • 2016-2020 – WVU Honors College
    • 2016-2020 – WVU Engineering Excellence Scholarship
    • 2016-2020 – WVU Presidential Scholarship
  • 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
    Research Interests:
    Neurodegeneration and rescue
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Motipally SI, Allen KM, Williamson DK, Marsat G. 2019. Differences in sodium channel densities in the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells of the electrosensory lateral line lobe. Front. Neural Circuits, 13:41.
  • A photo of Robin Oliverio.
    Robin Oliverio
    B.S., Biology, West Virginia University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Zachary Weil
    Research Interests:
    Traumatic Brain Injury and Alcohol Use Disorder
    Achievements:
    Publications

    • Weil ZM, Karelina K,Whitehead B, Cruz RV, Oliverio R, Pinti M, Nwafor D, Nicholson S, Fitzgerald J, Hollander J, Brown C, Zhang N, Devries AC. Mild traumatic brain injury increases vulnerability to cerebral ischemia in mice. 2021. Experimental Neurology, 342:113765.

    • Oliverio R, Karelina K, Weil ZM. 2020. Sex, drugs, and TBI: the role of sex in substance abuse related to traumatic brain injuries. Frontiers in neurology, 11.
    • Karelina K, Schneiderman K, Shah S, Fitzgerald J, Cruz RV, Oliverio R, Whitehead B, Yang J, Weil ZM. 2021. Moderate intensity treadmill exercise increases survival of newborn hippocampal neurons and improves neurobehavioral outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma.

    Awards

    • 2019 – Magna Cum Laude Graduate, West Virginia University

    • 2016-2019 – Mountaineer Scholarship Recipient, West Virginia University

    • 2015-2019 – Honors College Member, West Virginia University

    • 2015-2017 – President’s List, West Virginia University

  • A photo of James Scripter.
    James Scripter
    B.S., Biology, Westfield State University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Martin Hruska
    Research Interests:
    I am researching the effects of the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling pathway on Thalamocortical Axon development and examining the mechanisms of Thalamocortical Axon projections by observing guidance cues in JNK cTKO brains.
    Achievements:
    Awards

    ● 2020 – Inductee, National Society for Leadership and Success

    ● 2020 – Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering T32 Training Program Trainee, West Virginia University

    ● 2012 – Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout

    Publications

    ● Cunningham JG, Scripter JD, Nti SA, Tucker ES. 2021. Early construction of the thalamocortical axon pathway requires JNK signaling within the ventral forebrain. bioRxiv.

  • A photo of Bailey Whitehead.
    Bailey Whitehead
    B.S., Neuroscience & Psychology, Central Michigan University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Zachary Weil
    Research Interests:
    Cerebrovascular Responses after Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke and TBI Co-Morbidities
    Achievements:
    Publications
    • Weil ZM, Karelina K, Whitehead B, Cruz RV, Oliverio R, Pinti M, Nwafor D, Nicholson S, Fitzgerald J, Hollander J, Brown C, Zhang N, Devries AC. Mild traumatic brain injury increases vulnerability to cerebral ischemia in mice. 2021. Experimental Neurology, 342:113765.
    •Karelina K, Schneiderman K, Shah S, Fitzgerald J, Cruz RV, Oliverio R, Whitehead B, Yang J, Weil ZM. 2021. Moderate intensity treadmill exercise increases survival of newborn hippocampal neurons and improves neurobehavioral outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma.

     

    Awards
    • 2021 – NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Scholar
    • 2020 – NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar

Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. Candidates

  • A photo of Cassie Abbey (Bebout).
    Cassie Abbey (Bebout)
    B.S. in Molecular Biology, Auburn University
    Advisor:
    Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy
    Research Interests:
    The role of PROM1 in genetic eye disorders
    Achievements:
    Awards
    •  Auburn University Presidential Scholarship Recipient 2017-2019
    •  Auburn University Dean's List 2018-2019
    •  All-SEC Academic Team 2019
    •  Athletic Director's Honor Roll 2019
    •  NIH Summer Intern 2018 (NHGRI)
  • A photo of Rachel Taitano.
    Rachel Taitano
    B.S., Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech
    Advisor:
    Dr. Valeriya Gritsenko
    Research Interests:
    Neural control of movement, motor learning, modeling
    Achievements:
    Awards

    • 2021 - Present, Stroke & its Comorbidities T32 Associate Scholar
    • Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society
    • Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
    • Virginia Tech College of Engineering Pratt Scholarship
    • Virginia Tech College of Engineering Dean’s List
    • Sweet Briar College Dean’s List, First Year Honors
    • Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) All-Academic Team
    • Sweet Briar College Commonwealth Scholarship, Award for Virginia Recipient
    • Sweet Briar College Margaret Jones Wyllie ’45 Engineering Scholarship Recipient