My current research centers around novel mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease, and utilizes AAV vectors to delivery transgenes to dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra to explore novel Parkinson’s Disease treatments.• Performed live cell calcium imaging experiments.• Performed stereotaxic surgery and AAV injections into the brain of mice.• Performed behavioral assays for motor dysfunction. • Optimized differentiation protocols for neuronal cell lines.

My work at WSU focused on determining the effects of chronic and acute high-fat diet administration on synaptic signaling and protein expression involved in autonomic regulation of gut-brain interactions that drive vagal afferent activity and mediate central feeding and satiety mechanisms as they relate to obesity and high-fat diet.• Determined AAV viral vector serotype transfection efficiency for peripheral nerve, ganglion, and organ specific expression of optogenetic and chemogenetic constructs.• Developed in vivo optogenetic behavioral testing methods for food intake studies, including building of hardware, and programming stimulation protocols.• Optimized live-cell confocal imaging system to quantify afferent nerve activity.• Performed quantitative analysis of fluorescent immunohistochemistry in medullary sections.• Supervised and trained undergraduate and technical staff in research methods, data analysis, and surgical techniques.• Determined AAV viral vector serotype transfection efficiency for peripheral ganglion and target organ injections for optogenetic and chemogenetic constructs.

Dissertation: Complex Noradrenergic Mechanisms and Novel Methods for In Vitro Study of Medullary Oromotor Circuits.• Performed in vitro brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and optogenetic experiments.• Successfully cloned and characterized DNA construct for novel AAV viral vector for optogenetic activation of specific neurons.• Employed expertise to develop and implement a novel slice preparation to study interactions between brainstem sensory, integrative, and motor regions.• Authored manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.

• Completed electrocardiogram evaluation with a left ventricular rabbit wedge preparation and patch clamp electrophysiology experiments in HEK cell culture.