Stephanie Alfonso Email and Phone Number

Roberto Malinow Lab, Graduate Student; Investigating the parallel mechanisms of Aβ-induced synaptic depression and long-termdepression using electrophysiological techniques.- Tested a compound that reverses the depressive effects of amyloid-β (Aβ) on synapsesusing electrophysiology.- Tested genetic variants of Protein Kinase C alpha found in Alzheimer’s patients usingelectrophysiology and protein activity assays.

Designed a behavioral task to test the hypothesis that hippocampal neurogenesis isinvolved in linking independent memories that are associated in time and/or space.- Used immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy to quantitate neurogenesis.- Designed a novel method for exploring the regulation of adult hippocampalneurogenesis by emotional experiences which recruit amygdala activation.- Designed a behavioral method to enhance an animal’s emotional experience and assessits effect on neurogenesis.- Utilized histological techniques, immunohistochemistry, and stereology for the 
quantification of neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Assessed the role of cholinergic input to a specific sensory area.- Examined the learning capacity of rats whose visual cortex was selectively depleted ofcholinergic input.- Designed and trained rats on a behavioral task to determine their discrimination indexbetween different frequencies of a flashing light.