Students

Current Students

Research mentor: Lee Bidwell, PhD, Departments of Neurology and Cell and Molecular Biology
Research focus: My research focuses on the neuroinflammation that occurs after ischemic strokes, particularly the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B pathway. Our goal is to find novel methods to inhibit this pathway and prevent the secondary tissue injury that occurs as a result of the inflammatory response to ischemic strokes.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BA, University of Mississippi, Biochemistry

Research mentor: Brad Walters, PhD, Department of Otolaryngology
Research focus: I am interested in disease states of the inner ear. My current focus is on genetic and environmental risk factors associated with formations of neoplastic masses on or around the cochlea and cranial nerve VIII.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, St. Vincent College, Psychology

Research mentor: Doug Vetter, PhD, Department of Otolaryngology
Research focus: My thesis work expands on the discovery that the cochlea expresses signaling molecules of an HPA-equivalent stress response system. I aim to associate glucocorticoid (GC)-related sound conditioning with cochlear support cells using conditional genetic mouse models. Targeting ablation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in cochlear support cell populations is expected to impair GC-signaling functions within support cells. Targeting ablation of corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1) is expected to impair HPA-like steroidogenesis of endogenous GC by support cells. These experiments will suggest relative roles of support cells during recovery from, and adaptation to, noise trauma in relation to an HPA-like stress response.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, University of Tennessee, Biological Sciences

Research mentor: J. Paula Warrington, PhD, Department of Neurology
Research focus: My research focuses on understanding molecular factors that contribute to increased seizure susceptibility in placental ischemia.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, Tougaloo College, Chemistry

Research mentor: Donna M. Platt, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, Millsaps College, Neuroscience & Cognitive Studies

Research mentor: Matthias Krenn, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery
Research focus: My research aims to understand the effect of electrical stimulation of large afferents on spinal motor control in human spinal cord injury. We intend to accomplish two goals: to manage lower extremities spasticity caused by the injury and to augment residual volitional control. We utilize transcutaneous spinal stimulation to modify the neurological state of the lumbosacral circuitries to examine specific aspects involved in spinal motor control.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, Alvernia University, Chemistry

Research mentor: Kedra Wallace, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, Delta State University, Biology

Research mentor: Kevin Freeman, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, University of Alabama – Birmingham, Neuroscience

Research mentor: Harry Pantazopoulos, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Research focus: My work seeks to characterize transcriptional alterations in substance use disorder, notably pathways related to the extracellular matrix in human postmortem brains, and further to test how genetically modifying a microglial protease signaling cascade in mice may alter drug-related memories. I study condensed forms of extracellular matrix, known as perineuronal nets, as a prism to explore substance use disorder pathophysiology. Understanding the role of perineuronal nets in maintaining drug addiction will provide important insights for the development of novel pharmacotherapies to promote recovery.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BA, Rivier University, Psychology

Research mentor: Sally Huskinson, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Research focus: I am interested in the role of environmental factors in substance use disorders. My current focus is on the role of uncertainty in negative consequences as a contributor to the development and maintenance of substance use disorders.
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BA, University of Mississippi, Biochemistry

Research mentor: Barbara Gisabella, PhD, and Harry Pantazopoulos, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, Millsaps College, Biology; MS, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Biomedical Sciences

Research mentor: Kevin Freeman, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, Millsaps College, Neuroscience & Cognitive Studies

Undergraduate/graduate degree: BS, William Carey University, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology

Undergraduate/graduate degree: BA, University of Mississippi, Biological Science, Psychology; MS, Mississippi College, Biological and Biomedical Sciences