Current Graduate Students

Yeasmin Akter

M.S, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Advisor:

Dr. Martin Hruska

Research Interests:

Alzheimer's Disease, Synaptic Adhesion Molecules (SAM) - Eph and ephrins

Achievements:

Awards

2019-2020 - National Science & Technology Fellowship, Banglades

Publications

· Ezaz, M. M. A. #; Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Nahrin, A.; Siddika, A.; Afrose, S. S.; Nayeem, S. M. A.; Haque, M. S.; Moni, M. A.; Hosen, SMZ.; “Whole proteome screening and identification of potential epitopes of SARS- CoV-2 for vaccine design-an immunoinformatic, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation accelerated robust strategy” Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 8 February 2021, (doi: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1886171) (# Equal contribution)

· Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Siddika, A. #; Nayeem, S. M. A. #; Nahrin, A.; Afrose, S. S.; Ezaz, M. M. A.; Alam, M. S.; “Nature-derived hit, lead, and drug-like small molecules: Current status and future aspects against key target proteins of Coronaviruses” Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 4 August 2021, IF: 3.862, (doi: 10.2174/1389557521666210805113231) (# Equal contribution)

· Afrose, S. S. #; Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Tania, M.; Mei, Z; Khan, M. A.; “Targeting kinases with thymoquinone: a molecular approach to cancer therapeutics” Drug Discovery Today, 25 July 2020 (IF: 7.851) (doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.07.019) (# Equal contribution)

· Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Afrose, S. S.; Tania, M.; Khan, M. A.; “Biological role of AKT, and regulation of AKT signaling pathway by thymoquinone: perspectives in cancer therapeutics” Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 1 February 2021 (IF: 3.862) (doi: 10.2174/1389557520666201005143818) (# Equal contribution)

· Shawon, J. #; Akter, Z. #; Hossen, M. M. #; Akter, Y.; Sayeed, A.; Junaid, Md.; Afrose, S. S.; Khan, M. M.; “Current landscape of natural products against coronaviruses: perspectives in COVID-19 treatment and antiviral mechanism” Current Pharmaceutical Design, 1 January 2021 (IF: 3.116) (doi: 10.2174/1381612826666201106093912) (# Equal contribution)

· Akter, Y.; Junaid, M.; Afrose, S. S.; Hosen, SMZ.; Nahrin, A.; Alam, M. S.; Sharmin, T.; Akter, R.; Hosen, SMZ.; “A Comprehensive Review on Linum usitatissimum Medicinal Plant: Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Ethnomedicinal uses” Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 3 February 2021, IF: 3.862 (doi: 10.2174/1389557521666210203153436 )

· Abstract: Junaid, M.; Afrose, S. S.; Alam, M. S.; Akter, Y.; Nahrin A.; Sharmin, T.; Akter, R.; Hosen SMZ.; “The Constituents of Honey Propolis is a Boon for Alzheimer's Disease: A Computational Approach” SSRN Electronic Journal (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3531457)

· Abstract: Islam, S.; Akter, Y.; Mohiuddin, AKM.; Evamoni, F. Z.; Hasan, M. M.; Jafar, N. B.; Islam, M. R.; Ullah, N. M.; Howlader, M.; Roy, A. S.; “Knowledge and Awareness of Early Detection Methods and Risk Factors towards Breast and Cervical Cancer in Bangladesh” Annals of Oncology, 30 (Supplement_6), pp.mdz338-049. (IF: 32.976) (doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdz338.049)

· Book Chapter: Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Afrose, S. S. #; Tania, M.; Khan, M. A.; “Apoptotic Cell Death: Important Cellular Process as Chemotherapeutic Target. Drug Targets in Cellular Processes of Cancer: From Nonclinical to Preclinical Models, 978-981-15-7585-3, 494374_1_En, (Chapter 4)”, 1 October 2020, Springer, Singapore. (doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-7586-0_4). (# Equal contribution)

Name:: Logan Bays
Education:: B.S., Biochemistry, West Virginia University
Advisor:: Dr. Bernard Schreurs
Research Interests:: Learning, memory, synaptic plasticity, and preclinical Alzheimer's and post-traumatic stress disorder models in rodents and rabbits

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:: 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

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:: 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 - 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

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:: 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

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:: 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 (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:: Awards

2021-Present – NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar, West Virginia University

2016–2020 – Academic Performance Scholarship, West Virginia University

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:: 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

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:: 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

Name:: Rachel Hostetler
Education:: 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

Name:: Ezekiel Irewole
Education:: B.S., Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Advisor:: Dr. Bernard Schreurs
Research Interests:: Estrogen Neuroprotection, Cholesterol's Influence on Learning and Memory, Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease.
Achievements:: Awards
2020 - Royal African Award for outstanding achievement in academic excellence, Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) of His Imperial Majesty (H.I.M.), the Ooni of Ife.

2018 - Faculty Prize for the best graduating student in the Faculty of Science (2016/2017 Academic Session), Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University.

Name:: Julia Ivey
Education:: B.S., Biochemistry, Shepherd University
Advisor:: Dr. Zachary Weil
Research Interests:: Traumatic Brain Injury and Exercise
Achievements:: Awards
Ruby Fellowship 2021-2022

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:: 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

Name:: Jennifer Liu
Education:: 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 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.

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.

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.; Awards

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
Achievements:: Awards

2022 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Scholar, West Virginia University

2021 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Associate Scholar, West Virginia University

Name:: Mason McCollum
Education:: 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

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:: 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

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:: 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

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:: 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.

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

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.

Name:: Bailey Whitehead
Education:: 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 Graduate Students

Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. Candidates