Current Graduate Students

Name:: Raymond Anderson
Education:: B.S., Psychology and Biology, University of South Dakota
Advisor:: Dr. David Smith
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 (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.; Award

2017 - 2020 F-31 Pre-doctoral Fellowship

2016 WVU Travel award recipient

2016 2^nd place at Appalachian regional cell conference poster presentation

2016 - Present WVU Cell Biology Training Program

2013 - Present National Society of Leadership and Success

2013 Louella E. Cable Scholarship

2011 - Present Alpha Lambda Delta/Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society

2010 Coyote Commitment Scholarship

2010 South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

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
Research Interests:: Auditory processing and synaptic zinc
Achievements:: Award

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

Name:: Jacob Boos
Education:: B.S., Biology, St. Edward's University
Advisor:: Dr. Werner Geldenhuys
Research Interests:: Neurodegenerative Diseases - Alzheimer's Disease in particular
Achievements:: Award

2019 - Present Stroke and its Comorbidities T32 Training Grant, Scholar, West Virginia University

2019 Dr. James Stevenson Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Scholarship.

2017 120^th Annual Texas Academy of Science 1^st Place Oral Presentation Award

2016 NSF Fellowship

2013 - 2017 St. Edward’s University Fr. Edward Sorin Fellowship

2013 - 2014 NSF-CASAR Fellowship; Publication

Boos, J.R., Shubbar, A. & Geldenhuys, W.J. 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 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-021-02720-x

Name:: Jacob Bumgarner
Education:: B.M., Piano Performance, West Virginia University
Advisor:: Dr. Randy Nelson
Research Interests:: Disruption of circadian rhythms, pain, and stroke.
Achievements:: Publication

Bumgarner JR, Nelson RJ. 2021. Light At Night and Disrupted Circadian Rhythms Alter Physiology and Behavior. Integr Comp Biol icab017.

Bumgarner JR, Walker II WH, Liu JA, Walton JC, Nelson RJ. 2020. Dim Light at Night Exposure Induces Cold Hyperalgesia and Mechanical Allodynia in Male Mice. Neuroscience 343, 111-119.

Bumgarner JR, Walker II WH, Nelson RJ. 2020. Circadian Rhythms and Pain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev (Under Review).

Nelson RJ, Bumgarner JR, Walker WH II, DeVries AC. 2021. Time-of-Day as a Critical Biological Variable. Neurosci Biobehav Rev (Under Review).

Walker II WH, Bumgarner JR, Walton JC, Liu JA, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Nelson RJ, DeVries AC. 2020. Light Pollution and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 21: 9360.

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

Walton JC, Walker II WH, Bumgarner JR, Melendez-Fernandez OH, Liu JA, Nelson RJ. 2020. Circadian Variation in Efficacy of Medications. Clin Pharmacol Ther. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.2073

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.; Award

2020 - Present NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar

2019 - Present Arlen G. & Louise Stone Swiger Fellowship

2019 Order of Augusta Scholar

2018 WVU Young Artist Competition, 1st Prize

2018 Anna Lee Porter Riddle Scholarship

2016 WVU International Piano Competition, 1st Prize

2015 - 2019 Presidential Scholarship

2015 - 2019 Ida Cope Tait Music Scholarship

2015 - 2019 Valerie Canady Charitable Trust Foundation Scholarship

2015 - 2019 President’s List

Name:: Emily Burrage
Education:: 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:: Publication

Burrage E, Marshall K.L, Santanam N, and Chantler PD. Cerebrovascular dysfunction with stress and depression. Brain Circulation. 4(2) 43-53, 2018. PMID: 30276336

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. PMID:30029587; Award

2021 Annual Stroke Symposium Awardee (1^st 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

Name:: Briana Clary
Education:: B.S., Biology & Psychology, East Tennessee State University
Advisor:: Dr. Candice Brown
Research Interests:: Stroke, Sepsis, and Alzheimer's Disease
Achievements:: Award

2016 – 2020 Academic Performance Scholarship

Name:: Alexis Crockett
Education:: 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:: Award

2015 – 2018 Virginia Tech Presidential Scholarship Initiative Recipient Honors Charles Center Scholarship for Research:

2015 – 2018 Dean’s List

Name:: Jacob Feldmann
Education:: 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:: Award

2014 – 2016 Dean’s List

Honors Charles Center Scholarship for Research:

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

Name:: Rachel Hostetler
Education:: B.S., Neuroscience and German Studies, University of Minnesota
Advisor:: Dr. Aric Agmon
Research Interests:: Investigating the diverse roles of the somatostatin-containing inhibitory interneurons in cerebral cortex circuitry and their involvement in 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

2020 Outstanding Service Award- WVU Office of Research and Graduate Education

2018-2020: NIH T32 Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant, Scholar

2017-2018: NIH T32 Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Gran, Associate Scholar

Name:: Anna Korol
Education:: 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:: Publication

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.; Award

2018 Finalist, Global Nominee, NASA Space Apps Challenge 2018, Kyiv, Ukraine

2017 Finalist, EBEC (European BEST Engineering Competition), Kyiv, Ukraine

Name:: Jennifer Liu
Education:: B.S., Biology, 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:: Publication

Walker WH 2^nd, 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 2^nd, 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). doi: 10.1002/cpt.2073

Weil ZM, Fonken LK, Walker WH 2^nd, 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. doi: 10.1111.ejn.14915

Bumgarner JR, Walker WH 2^nd, 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. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.03.022.; Award

2018 - 2019 Dr. Robert M. Green Scholarship, Utica College

2017 Dean’s Honor List, Utica College

2015 - 2019 International Merit Award, Utica College

Name:: Abbey Manning
Education:: B.S., Biochemistry, St. Vincent College
Advisor:: Dr. Charles Anderson
Research Interests:: Auditory processing and synaptic zinc

Name:: Mason McCollum
Education:: B.S., Biochemistry, Mercyhurst University
Advisor:: Dr. Charles Anderson
Research Interests:: Auditory processing and synaptic zinc
Achievements:: Award

2020 - Present Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Scholar

2020 - Present The National Society of Leadership and Success Member

2020 Dr. James Stevenson Scholarship Recipient

2019 - 2020 Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Associate Scholar

Name:: Tyler McGaughey
Education:: 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:: Publication

Fischer, K. M., Scott, T., Browe D., McGaughey T. A., Woods, C., Wolyniak, M. J., & Freeman J. W. (2020). Hydrogels for Skeletal Muscle Regeneration. Regenerative Engineering and Translation Medicine; Award

2019 - Present Behavior and Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program T32 Research Scholar

Virginia Academy of Sciences: Best poster in biomedical and general engineering section

Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America

Name:: Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez
Education:: 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:: Publication

Meléndez‐Fernández, O. H., Walton, J. C., DeVries, A. C., and Nelson, R. J. (2021). Disrupted circadian rhythms and cardiac function. (Under review in Biomolecules)

Meléndez‐Fernández, O. H., Zhang, N., Walton, J. C., DeVries, A. C., and Nelson, R. J. (2021). Effects of light at night on hippocampal vasculature, neural integrity, inflammation and behavior after cardiac arrest and resuscitation. (In Prep)

Liu, J. A., Walton, J. C., Bumgarner, J.R., Walker W.H. II, Meléndez-Fernández, O.H., DeVries, A. C., and Nelson, R. J. (Under final revisions, will be submitted to Biology Letters).

Walker W.H. II , Sprowls S.A., Bumgarner, J.R., Liu, J.A., Meléndez-Fernández, O.H., Walton J.C., Lockman, P.R., DeVries, A.C., Nelson, R.J. (2021) Circadian influences on chemotherapy efficacy in a mouse model of brain metastases of breast cancer. (Submitted to Frontiers in Neuroscience)

Walker W.H. II , Bumgarner, J.R., Walton JC, Liu, J.A., Meléndez-Fernández, OH, Nelson, RJ, DeVries, AC. Light pollution and cancer. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(24), 9360; doi:10.3390/ijms21249360

Walton J.C., Walker W.H. 2nd, Bumgarner J.R., Meléndez-Fernández O.H., Liu J.A., Hughes H.L., Kaper A.L., Nelson R.J. Circadian variation in efficacy of medications. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Oct 6. doi: 10.1002/cpt.2073. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33025623.

Walker WH 2nd, Meléndez-Fernández OH, Pascoe JL, Zhang N, DeVries AC. Social enrichment attenuates chemotherapy induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and affective behavior via oxytocin signaling. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 2020 Jul. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.07.032.

Weil, Z. M., Fonken, L. K., Walker, W. H., Bumgarner, J. R., Liu, J. A., Melendez‐Fernandez, O. H., ... & Nelson, R. J. (2020). Dim light at night exacerbates stroke outcome. European Journal of Neuroscience.

Walker, W. H.*, Meléndez‐Fernández, O. H.*, Nelson, R. J., & Reiter, R. J. (2019). Global climate change and invariable photoperiods: A mismatch that jeopardizes animal fitness. Ecology and evolution, 9(17), 10044-10054.

Walker, W. H.*, Meléndez-Fernández, O. H., & Nelson, R. J. (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, W. H., Borniger, J. C., Gaudier-Diaz, M. M., Meléndez-Fernández, O. H., Pascoe, J. L., DeVries, A. C., & Nelson, R. J. (2019). Acute exposure to low-level light at night is sufficient to induce neurological changes and depressive-like behavior. Molecular psychiatry, 1-14.

Fonken, L.K., Aubrecht, T.G., Meléndez-Fernández, O.H., Weil, Z.M., & Nelson, R.J. (2013). Dim light at night disrupts molecular circadian rhythms and increases body weight. Journal of Biological Rhythms. August 2013 28: 262-271

Fonken, L.K.*, Meléndez-Fernández, O.H.*, Weil, Z.M., & Nelson, R.J. (2014). Exercise attenuates the effects of dim light at night on metabolism. Journal of Physiology and Behavior. 124 (2014) 33-36. (Available on-line 10/30/13). *authors contributed equally; Award

2020 - Present Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant T32 Scholar

2019 - 2020 Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Grant T32 Affiliate Scholar.

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 Jan. 2012 University of Texas Cullen Trust for Higher Education Fellowship
Travel Award

2011 - 2012

Name:: Brooklyn Metz
Education:: B.S., Biomedical Engineering , West Virginia University
Advisor:: Dr. Sergiy Yakovenko
Research Interests:: Neuromechanics, Rehabilitation Engineering, and Motor Control
Achievements:: Award

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

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
Research Interests:: Neurodegeneration and rescue
Achievements:: Publication

Motipally, S.I., Allen, K.M., Williamson, D.K., and 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.doi: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00041

Robin Oliverio

B.S., Biology, West Virginia University

Advisor:

Dr. Zachary Weil

Research Interests:

Traumatic Brain Injury and Alcohol Use Disorder

Achievements:

Publication

• Oliverio, R., Karelina, K., & Weil, Z. M. (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, R.V., Oliverio, R., Whitehead, B., Yang, J. and Weil, Z.M., (2021). Moderate Intensity Treadmill Exercise Increases Survival of Newborn Hippocampal Neurons and Improves Neurobehavioral Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Neurotrauma.

Award

• 2019 Magna Cum Laude Graduate from West Virginia University

• 2016 - 2019 Mountaineer Scholarship Recipient

• 2015 - 2019 West Virginia University Honors College Member

• 2015 - 2017 West Virginia University President’s List

James Scripter

B.S., Biology, Westfield State University

Advisor:

Dr. Eric Tucker

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:

Award

● 2020 National Society for Leadership and Success, Inductee/Member

● 2020 Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering Training Program, T32 Trainee

● 2012 Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout

Publication

● Cunningham JG, Scripter JD, Nti SA, Tucker ES (2021) Early construction of the thalamocortical axon pathway requires JNK signaling within the ventral forebrain. bioRxiv. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.09.439208

Name:: Catherine Smoot (Smith)
Education:: B.S., Biology, Oregon State University
Advisor:: Dr. Eric Tucker
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

Catherine A. Smoot, Kareem A. Wasef, Philip Bender, Mason McCollum, Charles Anderson, and Eric S. Tucker. “Map3k12 binding inhibitory protein (Mbip) function establishes the appropriate number of cortical interneurons,” anticipated submission 2020.

Catherine Smoot. “TrkB Function in Cortistatin-expressing Interneurons Regulates Cortical Gene Expression Patterns,” eNeuro Blog, Reader’s Pick, August 20, 2020; https://blog.eneuro.org/2020/08/readers-pick-aug-2

Abigail K. Myers, Jessica G. Cunningham, Skye E. Hickling, John P. Snow, Catherine A. Smoot, and Eric S. Tucker. "JNK signaling is required for proper tangential migration and laminar allocation of cortical interneurons," Development 2020; 10.1242/dev.180646

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; 10.1038/mt.2013.289; Award

2019 Travel Award for Brain Camp Participation, Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University

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
Research Interests:: Motor control, Stroke, Rehabilitation, Virtual Reality, Modeling
Achievements:: Publication

Thomas, A. B., Olesh, E., Adcock, A., and Gritsenko, V. (2021). Muscle forces comprise a more sensitive measure of post-stroke movement deficits than joint angles. Preprint Available: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/642272v4

Smith, A.P., Thomas, A.B., and Gritsenko, V. (2021). Quantifying fatigue with wearable assistive FES devices for the shoulder. WVU Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Barr, M., Thomas, A.B., and Gritsenko, V. (2021). Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation on upper-limb performance in stroke survivors. WVU Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Alghawi, R., Thomas, A.B., Brandmeir, C., Yakovenko, S., and Gritsenko, V. (2021). Evaluation of Functional Electrical Stimulation of shoulder muscles for combined assistance with arm motion and reduction of shoulder subluxation. Neural Control of Movement Conference. Web.

Thomas, A.B., Hardesty, R.L., and Gritsenko, V. (2019). Functional Electrical Stimulation Helps Support the Weight of the Arm During Reaching and Grasping Movements. Dynamic Poster at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois.

Thomas, A.B., Hardesty, R.L., and Gritsenko, V. (2019). Shoulder Functional Electrical Stimulation Reduces the Effort to Overcome Gravity During Reaching Movements. RehabWeek International Conference, Toronto, Canada.

Thomas, A.B., Olesh, E., and Gritsenko, V. (2019). Mechanical Analysis of Reaching: Movement-Based Control of Upper Limb Coordination altered after Stroke. WVU Van Liere Research Day, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Thomas, A.B., Olesh, E., Adcock, A., and Gritsenko, V. (2018). Dynamic Measures Provide Unique Insight into Motor Dysfunction After Stroke. Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference. San Diego, California.

Blair, K., Kaptis, L., Keeting, J., Wright, A., Thomas, A.B., Boots, M., Sobinov, A., and Gritsenko, V. (2018). The Use of Electromyography of Wrist and Hand Motions for the Development of a Virtual Reality Prosthesis: A Mechanism Study. WVU Doctor of Physical Therapy Thesis.

Thomas, A.B., Olesh, E., and Gritsenko, V. (2018). Dynamic measures link post-stroke movement impairment to changes in neural architecture. Appalachian Translational Research Network Summit, Lexington, Kentucky.

Thomas, A.B., Olesh, E., Pollard, B., and Gritsenko, V. (2018). Isolating Postural EMG Using Kinematically Derived Torques Improves Assessment of Upper-Limb Motor Deficits in Virtual Reality. WVU Van Liere Research Day, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Thomas, A.B., Olesh, E., Pollard, B., and Gritsenko, V. (2017). Quantifying Variability in Motor Dysfunction After Stroke. West Virginia University, Center for Neuroscience Annual Retreat.

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

WVU Launchlab April Arts Pitch Competition Finalist, ‘Developing an Anatomy Game Using 3D Modeling’

WVU 3-Minute Thesis Competition Finalist, ‘Virtual Reality: The Future of Personalized Rehabilitation’

National Institute on Aging T32 Training Fellowship, AG052375

Arlen G. and Louise Stone Swiger Doctoral 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

WVU Bucklew Scholarship

WVU Valedictorian Scholarship

Elk’s Club Most Influential Student Scholarship

West Virginia Promise Scholarship

WVU Chimes Honorary

WVU Mortar Board Honorary

Bailey Whitehead

B.S., Neuroscience & Psychology, Central Michigan University

Advisor:

Dr. Zachary Weil

Research Interests:

Metabolic Responses after Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke and TBI Co-morbidities

Achievements:

Award

2021 NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Scholar
2020 NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar

Publication

• Karelina, K. Schneiderman, S. Shah, J. Fitzgerald, R. Velazquez Cruz, R. Oliverio, B. Whitehead, J. Yang, Z. M. Weil., “Moderate intensity treadmill exercise increases survival of newborn hippocampal neurons and improves neurobehavioral outcomes following traumatic brain injury.” (Journal of Neurotrauma)

Neuroscience Graduate Students

Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. Candidates