My general scientific interests are to better understand how the nervous system obtains and assigns value to environmental cues and uses that information to guide behavior. My current research is aimed at elucidating the role of arrestin proteins in normal and abnormal dopaminergic signaling, using mouse models of Parkinson’s disease and addiction to psychostimulant drugs. Arrestins are key modulators of dopamine receptors and the subsequent intracellular signaling transduction, affording us a unique target to manipulate dopaminergic signaling in the brain to gain new insight regarding how these circuits influence behavior. To this end, I am using in vivo modulation of arrestins in striatal brain regions via viral gene transfer in wild type and genetically modified mice. The idea is that if we can understand the relation between arrestins and dopaminergic signaling abnormalities, we may then begin to develop therapeutic strategies to reduce or reverse these maladaptive behaviors.

My dissertation work is aimed at understanding how the brain uses signals in the environment to shape our decisions and guide behavior. Our laboratory uses the courtship behaviors of songbirds to model this decision-making process, in which females carefully choose males based on the quality of his song. The goal of my research is to investigate what makes certain songs attractive, how attractive songs are represented in the auditory cortex, and through what pathways in the brain are these signals used to guide behavior. I use behavioral assays, tract-tracing and optogenetic techniques to help gain new insight into the cognition involved in mate selection of songbirds with the hope to reveal new ideas of the mechanisms underlying human decision-making.

Classes Taught:- ZOO3115 Human Physiology- ZOO4125 Integrative Physiology

Used cognitive training to improve the skills, confidence, and IQ of children and adults.

Provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual and other related disabilities to experience sensory stimulation activities (inclusive of: auditory, visual, tactile, stimulation). Responsible for researching activities and equipment for the sensory stimulation room, developing a handbook for staff to utilize referencing the sensory stimulation activities, and implementing sensory stimulation activities that will provide (but not limited to) relaxation, self-awareness, awareness of surroundings, and development of leisure skills to the persons served according to their interest, abilities, etc.

Led a great neighborhood swim team of over 100 athletes, while managing a small staff.