Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Immunology & Microbiology

Neuroscience

Genetics

Molecular Cell Biology

Physiology & Pharmacology

Amici

Beck

Browd

Carrigan

Chokas

Coleman

Dhillon

Ellis

Flanary

Fortun

Haire

Herlihy

James

Jezzini

Larkin

Larner

Martin

Peden

Presti

Rau

Rhinehart

Ringger

Rodrigues

Roux

Shepherd

Smith

Tester

Turner

Wildeboer

Zhang

Stephanie Amici, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Lucia Notterpek, Ph.D. 

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 2000 - May 2006

Dissertation Title

Peripheral Myelin Protein 22 (Pmp22) is in a Complex with Alpha6 Beta4 Integrin and the Absence of Pmp22 Affects Schwann Cell Adhesion and Migration

Professional Positions

Publications

Amici SA, Dunn WA Jr, Murphy AJ, Adams NC, Gale NW, Valenzuela DM, Yancopoulos GD, Notterpek L.  Peripheral myelin protein 22 is in complex with alpha6beta4 integrin, and its absence alters the Schwann cell basal lamina.  J Neurosci. 2006 Jan 25;26(4):1179-89. abstract

Fortun J, Go JC, Li J, Amici SA, Dunn WA Jr, Notterpek L. Alterations in degradative pathways and protein aggregation in a neuropathy model based on PMP22 overexpression.  Neurobiol Dis. 2006 Apr;22(1):153-64. abstract

Roux KJ, Amici SA, Fletcher BS, Notterpek L. Modulation of epithelial morphology, monolayer permeability, and cell migration by gas3/PMP22. Mol Biol Cell. 2005 Mar;16(3):1142-51.  abstract

Roux KJ, Amici SA, Notterpek L.  The temporospatial expression of peripheral myelin protein 22 at the developing blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers. J Comp Neurol. 2004 Jul 5;474(4):578-88.  abstract

Dinculescu A, McDowell JH, Amici SA, Dugger DR, Richards N, Hargrave PA, Smith WC.  Insertional mutagenesis and immunochemical analysis of visual arrestin interaction with rhodopsin.  J Biol Chem. 2002 Apr 5;277(14):11703-8. Epub 2002 Jan 24. abstract

Notterpek L, Roux KJ, Amici SA, Yazdanpour A, Rahner C, Fletcher BS. Peripheral myelin protein 22 is a constituent of intercellular junctions in epithelia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2001 Dec 4;98(25):14404-9.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings

Roux KJ, Amici SA, Notterpek L. Peripheral myelin protein 22 is a constituent of the BBB with a poteintial involvement in junctional permeability. Sixth Symposium: Signal Transduction in the Blood-Brain Barriers. Szeged, Hungary. September 18-21, 2003, L5 p. 13.

Roux KJ, Amici SA, Notterpek L. The localization of PMP22 at intercellular junctions of the developing blood-brain barrier. Program No. 448.1. 2002 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.

Dinculescu A, McDowell JH, Amici S, Dugger D, Richards N, Hargrave PA, Smith WC. An insertional mutagenesis and immunochemical analysis of visual arrestin interaction with rhodopsin. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2002 43: E-Abstract 1391.

Kem W, Michalski S, Wildeboer K, Amici S, Soti F. Hoplonemertine pyridyl alkaloids: Interactions with nicotinic receptors. 7th Symposium: Pan American Section of the International Society on Toxinology on Animal, Plant and Microbial Toxins, Charlottesville, VA. 2001 p. 17.

Honors & Awards

1996  Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society

1998  Golden Key National Honor Society

2000  Alumni Graduate Fellowship, UF College of Medicine

2003  Bryan W. Robinson Neurological Foundation Grant-in-Aid Achievement award (competitive)

2005  Silver Medal Finalist, Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Competition

2005  First Place, Neuroscience Advanced Concentration, Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Concentration

Ray D. Beck, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

John M. Petitto, M.D. 

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 1998 - August 2004

Dissertation Title

Alterations of septohippocampal structure in interleukin-2 knockout mice

Professional Positions

Publications

Beck RD Jr, King MA, Huang Z, Petitto JM. Alterations in septohippocampal cholinergic neurons resulting from interleukin-2 gene knockout. Brain Res. 2002 Nov 15;955(1-2):16-23.  abstract

Petitto JM, Huang Z, Lo J, Beck RD, Rinker C, Hartemink DA. Relationship between the development of autoimmunity and sensorimotor gating in MRL-lpr mice with reduced IL-2 production. Neurosci Lett. 2002 Aug 16;328(3):304-8.  abstract

Petitto JM, Huang Z, Hartemink DA, Beck R Jr. IL-2/15 receptor-beta gene deletion alters neurobehavioral performance. Brain Res. 2002 Mar 8;929(2):218-25.  abstract

Sara A. Berens, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Robert P. Yezierski, Ph.D. 

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled 

August 2002 - August 2006

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education

B.S., Chemistry, University of Florida

Publications

Berens SA, Colvin DC, Yu CG, Yezierski RP, Mareci TH.  Evaluation of the pathologic characteristics of excitotoxic spinal cord injury with MR imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005 Aug;26(7):1612-22.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings

Samuel R. Browd, M.D., Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Christiana M. Leonard, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 1998 - May 2000

Dissertation Title

Can imagined motor practice change cortical representations?

Professional Positions

Resident, University of Utah

Publications

Crosson B, Cato MA, Sadek JR, Gokcay D, Bauer RM, Fischler IS, Maron L, Gopinath K, Auerbach EJ, Browd SR, Briggs RW.  Semantic monitoring of words with emotional connotation during fMRI: contribution of anterior left frontal cortex. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2002 Jul;8(5):607-22.  abstract

Crosson B, Radonovich K, Sadek JR, Gokcay D, Bauer RM, Fischler IS, Cato MA, Maron L, Auerbach EJ, Browd SR, Briggs RW.  Left-hemisphere processing of emotional connotation during word generation. Neuroreport. 1999 Aug 20;10(12):2449-55.  abstract

Crosson B, Sadek JR, Bobholz JA, Gokcay D, Mohr CM, Leonard CM, Maron L, Auerbach EJ, Browd SR, Freeman AJ, Briggs RW.  Activity in the paracingulate and cingulate sulci during word generation: an fMRI study of functional anatomy. Cereb Cortex. 1999 Jun;9(4):307-16.  abstract

Helveston W, Gilmore R, Roper S, Mastin S, Quisling R, Drane W, Eikman E, Leonard C, Browd S, Childress D.  Intractable temporal lobe epilepsy: comparison of positron emission tomography with qualitative and quantitative MR. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1996 Sep;17(8):1515-21.  abstract

Mastin ST, Drane WE, Gilmore RL, Helveston WR, Quisling RG, Roper SN, Eikman EA, Browd SR.  Prospective localization of epileptogenic foci: comparison of PET and SPECT with site of surgery and clinical outcome. Radiology. 1996 May;199(2):375-80.  abstract

Matthew A. Carrigan, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Steven A. Benner, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience;  Chemistry

Enrolled

August 1997 - December 2002

Dissertation Title

Searching molecular landscapes for the evolution of primal catalysts:  in vitro selection of DNA-based ribonucleases

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Dept. Chemistry, University of Florida

Education

B.S., Biomedical Science, University of Florida

Publications

Ricardo A, Carrigan MA, Olcott AN, Benner SA.  Borate minerals stabilize ribose. Science. 2004 Jan 9;303(5655):196.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Environmental Category (2nd Place) 1989, Environmental Category (1991) 3rd Place

UF Grinter Graduate Student Honors Scholarship, 1997-2000

UF Neuroscience Department, Graduate Travel Grant Award, 1999

UF Undergraduate Research Symposium Excellence in Research - 1st Place, 1997

UF IFAS Science Scholarship Award, 1994, 1995, 1996

Barry Goldwater National Science Scholarship Award, 1995, 1996, 1997

Ann L. Chokas, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Harry S. Nick, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 1999 - December 2004

Dissertation Title

Identification of trans-acting factors that mediate the manganese superoxide dismutase enhancer functions

Professional Positions

Education

Publications

Kuo S, Chokas AL, Rogers RJ, Nick HS. PIN*POINT analysis on the endogenous MnSOD promoter: specific demonstration of Sp1 binding in vivo. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2003 Feb;284(2):C528-34.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

Jason E. Coleman, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Susan L. Semple-Rowland, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 1998 - May 2003

Dissertation Title

Efficient transduction and targeted expression of lentiviral vector transgenes in the developing retina  Full text

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Dept. of Neuroscience, UF College of Medicine

Postdoctoral Associate, Picower Center for Learning & Memory, Massachussetts Institute of Technology

Publications

Coleman JE, Zhang Y, Brown GA, Semple-Rowland SL. Related Articles, Links Cone Cell Survival and Downregulation of GCAP1 Protein in the Retinas of GC1 Knockout Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004 Oct;45(10):3397-403.  abstract

Zhang Y, Coleman JE, Fuchs GE, Semple-Rowland SL.  Circadian oscillator function in embryonic retina and retinal explant cultures. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2003 May 26;114(1):9-19.  abstract

Coleman JE, Huentelman MJ, Kasparov S, Metcalfe BL, Paton JF, Katovich MJ, Semple-Rowland SL, Raizada MK.  Efficient large-scale production and concentration of HIV-1-based lentiviral vectors for use in vivo. Physiol Genomics. 2003 Feb 6;12(3):221-8.  abstract

Coleman JE, Fuchs GE, Semple-Rowland SL.  Analyses of the guanylate cyclase activating protein-1 gene promoter in the developing retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002 May;43(5):1335-43.  abstract

Semple-Rowland SL, Tepedino M, Coleman JE.  Pinopsin mRNA levels are significantly elevated in the pineal glands of chickens carrying a null mutation in guanylate cyclase-1. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2001 Dec 16;97(1):51-8.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

Coleman JE, Chang L-J and Semple-Rowland SL (2001) Retrovirus- and lentivirus-mediated transgene expression in chicken retina: In vivo analyses. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1860, B110.

Coleman JE and Semple-Rowland SL (2001) Lentivirus-mediated analyses of the GCAP1 gene promoter in developing chicken retina. Fifth Annual Vision Research Conference on Animal Models of Retinal Degeneration, April 27-28, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Semple-Rowland SL and Coleman JE (2000) Strategies for rescue of photoreceptor function in the GUCY1*B chicken model of Leber congenital amaurosis-type 1 (LCA-1). Invited seminar at XIV International Congress of Eye Research, Oct. 15-20, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Coleman JE, Voisin V, and Semple-Rowland SL (2000) Analyses of the chicken guanylate cyclase activating protein-1 (GCAP1) promoter in primary chicken retinal and human WERI Rb-1 cultures. Inv. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 41, S390.

Semple-Rowland SL, Coleman JE, Vaughn J, Larkin P, Nykamp K, Baehr W and Chang L-J (1999) Lentiviral vector-mediated gene therapy for rescue of the rd chicken. FASEB Conference on the Biology and Chemistry of Vision, June 13-18, Copper Mountain, CO.

Coleman JE, Jones HC, Paiva M (1997) Neurotrophic activity is altered in the striatum and hippocampus of the hydrocephalic H-Tx rat. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 23, 49.

Honors & Awards

1996 Bryan W. Robinson Neurological Foundation Neuroscience Grant in Aid

1996 University of Florida Medical Guild Minigrant

Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research, UF College of Medicine, 2002

Jessica Conde, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Wolfgang J. Streit, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled 

August 1999 - April 2005

Dissertation Title

Effects of aging on microglial activation in response to neuronal injury

Professional Positions

Student, UF College of Nursing MS Program

Education

B.S. Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, 1999

Publications

Conde JR, Streit WJ.  Effect of Aging on the Microglial Response to Peripheral Nerve Injury.  Neurobiol Aging. (submitted)

Striet WJ, Conde JR, Fendrick SE, Flanary BE, Mariani CL.  Role of Microglia in the CNS Immune Response.  Neurol Res. (submitted)

Streit WJ, Conde JR, Fendrick SE, Flanary BE, Mariani CL.  Role of microglia in the central nervous system's immune response. Neurol Res. 2005 Oct;27(7):685-91. Review.  abstract

Streit WJ, Conde JR, Harrison JK. Chemokines and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging. 2001 Nov-Dec;22(6):909-13.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings

Conde JR, Miller KR, Streit WJ.  Effect of aging on the proliferative response of microglia to facial nerve axotomy.  Program no. 450.7.  2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner.  Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, 2004.  Online.

Conde JR, Streit WJ.  Effects of aging on microglial activation in response to neuronal injury.  University of Florida Graduate Student Council Forum, 2005.

Honors & Awards

2004 University of Florida Graduate Student Council Travel Award

2002 University of Florida Medical Guild Minigrant

2001 Bryan W. Robinson Neurological Foundation Grant-in-Aid Achievement award (competitive)

1999-2003 University of Florida Graduate Alumni Fellowship

Harveen Dhillon, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Pushpa S. Kalra, Ph.D.

Department

Physiology & Functional Genomics

Enrolled

August 1996 - December 2000

Dissertation Title

Effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus encoding leptin on body weight regulation and energy homeostasis   Full text

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate in laboratory of Professor Bradford Lowell, Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Education

B.S., University of Arizona

Publications

Bachman ES, Dhillon H, Zhang CY, Cinti S, Bianco AC, Kobilka BK, Lowell BB.  betaAR signaling required for diet-induced thermogenesis and obesity resistance. Science. 2002 Aug 2;297(5582):843-5.  abstract

Beretta E, Dhillon H, Kalra PS, Kalra SP.  Central LIF gene therapy suppresses food intake, body weight, serum leptin and insulin for extended periods. Peptides. 2002 May;23(5):975-84.  abstract

Dube MG, Beretta E, Dhillon H, Ueno N, Kalra PS, Kalra SP.  Central leptin gene therapy blocks high-fat diet-induced weight gain, hyperleptinemia, and hyperinsulinemia: increase in serum ghrelin levels. Diabetes. 2002 Jun;51(6):1729-36.  abstract

Dhillon H, Kalra SP, Kalra PS.  Dose-dependent effects of central leptin gene therapy on genes that regulate body weight and appetite in the hypothalamus. Mol Ther. 2001 Aug;4(2):139-45.  abstract

Dhillon H, Kalra SP, Prima V, Zolotukhin S, Scarpace PJ, Moldawer LL, Muzyczka N, Kalra PS.  Central leptin gene therapy suppresses body weight gain, adiposity and serum insulin without affecting food consumption in normal rats: a long-term study. Regul Pept. 2001 Jun 15;99(2-3):69-77.  abstract

Dhillon H, Ge Y, Minter RM, Prima V, Moldawer LL, Muzyczka N, Zolotukhin S, Kalra PS, Kalra SP.  Long-term differential modulation of genes encoding orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides by leptin delivered by rAAV vector in ob/ob mice. Relationship with body weight change. Regul Pept. 2000 Aug 25;92(1-3):97-105.  abstract

Pu S, Dhillon H, Moldawer LL, Kalra PS, Kalra SP.  Neuropeptide Y counteracts the anorectic and weight reducing effects of ciliary neurotropic factor. J Neuroendocrinol. 2000 Sep;12(9):827-32.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

Dhillon H, YL Ge, PJ Scarpace, V Prima, S Zolotukhin, SP Kalra and PS Kalra. Central leptin therapy reveals differential dose-dependent effects on body weight (bw) gain, energy intake and expenditure. Society for Neuroscience Abstract, 2000 (Oral Presentation).

Beretta E, V Prima, H Dhillon, L Moldawer, N Muzyczka, S Zolotukhin, P Kalra, S Kalra. Long-term Suppression of Weight Gain and Obesity by rAAV-LIF Therapy. Abstract submitted to the 3 rd Annual American Society for Gene Therapy Meeting, June 1-5, 2000.

Beretta E, M Dube, H Dhillon, V Prima, S Zolotukhin, N Muzyczka, PS Kalra and SP Kalra. Leptin Gene Therapy Reduces Food Intake and Body Weight Without Affecting Onset of Puberty and Reproductive Cycles. Submitted to the Society for the Study for Reproduction Annual Meeting, 2000.

Zolotukhin S, H Dhillon, E Beretta, V Prima, L Moldawer, PS Kalra, N Muzyczka and SP Kalra. Control of body weight in lean and obese rodent models using centrally delivered recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors encoding cytokines leptin, CNTF and LIF. Abstract submitted to the Keystone Symposia Feb 2000.

Activation of STAT-dependent signaling in rat hypothalamus by leptin, CNTF and LIF transgenes delivered centrally via recombinant adeno-associated (rAAV) vectors. Y Sautin, H Dhillon, E Beretta, V Prima, N Muzyczka, PS Kalra, SP Kalra. Abstract submitted to the Keystone Symposia Feb 2000.

Dhillon H, Dube MG, Kalra SP and Kalra PS. Site specific upregulation of NPY receptors in hyperphagic rats. Society for Neuroscience abstract 1998. Oral Presentation.

Dhillon H, RM Minter, D Topping, V Prima, LL Moldawer, N Muzyczka, PS Kalra, SP Kalra and S Zolotukhin. Long-term correction of obesity using centrally delivered rAAV encoding anorexigenic cytokines. Abstract submitted to the American Society for Gene Therapy Meeting, June 9-13 1999. Poster Presentation.

Dhillon H, S Zolotukhin, SP Kalra and PS Kalra. Sexual Dimorphism in the response to leptin gene therapy via a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. 214.3 Society for Neuroscience Abstract, 1999. Oral Presentation.

Honors & Awards

University of Florida Medical Guild Research Award 2000

Department of Neuroscience Graduate Student Research Award, 2000

Outstanding International Student Award, UF College of Medicine, 2000

Bryan W Robinson Memorial Endowment for the Neuroscience's Grant 1999

Department of Neuroscience Graduate Student Research Award 1999

University of Florida medical guild research mini-grant 1998

Grinter Academic Merit Scholarship at the University of Florida 1996-1999

Cowden Academic Scholarship at the University of Arizona 1994-95

National Junior Research Fellowship awarded by the Government of India, 1992-1994

Rebecca C. Ellis, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Douglas K. Anderson, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 1998 - December 2004

Dissertation Title

Characterization of cathepsin B mRNA and protein expression, enzymatic activity and cellular localization following contusion spinal cord injury in rats

Professional Positions

Education

Publications

Ellis RC, Earnhardt JN, Hayes RL, Wang KK, Anderson DK. Cathepsin B mRNA and protein expression following contusion spinal cord injury in rats. J Neurochem. 2004 Feb;88(3):689-697.  abstract

Bitran D, Dugan M, Renda P, Ellis R, Foley M. Anxiolytic effects of the neuroactive steroid pregnanolone (3 alpha-OH-5 beta-pregnan-20-one) after microinjection in the dorsal hippocampus and lateral septum. Brain Res. 1999 Dec 11;850(1-2):217-24.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Fine Scientific Tools Travel Award (2002)

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Trust Fund (2002)

ASN Young Investigator Education Enhancement Award (2002)

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Trust Fund (2001)

Department of Neuroscience Travel Award (2001)

University of Florida Graduate Student Council Travel Award (2001)

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Trust Fund (1999)

College of the Holy Cross Compton Gold Medal of Excellence in Science (1998)

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

Bitran D, Klibansky D, Solano S, Dowd S, Ellis RC, and Renda P. Effects of pregnanolone microinjections in the amygdala on behaviors in three animal models of anxiety. Northeast Undergraduate Research on Neuroscience (N.E.U.R.O.N.), Hartford, CT, May 1, 1997.

Bitran D, Dugan M, Renda P, Solano S, Dowd S, Klibansky D, Ellis RC and Rausch E. Behavior in animal models of anxiety after intracranial microinjection of pregnanolone in hippocampus, lateral septum, and basolateral amydgala. Society for Neuroscience, New Orleans, LA, October 25-30, 1997.

Ellis RC, Bitran D. Picrotoxin blocks the anxiolytic effect of pregnanolone in hippocampus and in the lateral septum, but flumazenil, a central benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, and PK11195, a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, do not. Northeast Undergraduate Research on Neuroscience (N.E.U.R.O.N.), Hartford, CT, May 3, 1998.

Bitran D, Ellis RC, and Foley M. Intrahippocampal injection of FGIN1-27, a mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor (MBR) agonist, elicits does-dependent anxiolytic effects that are blocked by picrotoxin, a GABAA receptor-gated Cl- channel blocker, and are attenuated by PK11195, an MBR antagonist. Society for Neuroscience, Miami, FL, October 23-38, 1999.

Ellis RC, Earnhardt JN, Nick HS, Hayes RL, Tolentino PJ, O'Steen WA, Shaw G, Anderson DK. Changes in cathepsin B gene and protein expression following acute spinal cord injury. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA. November 10-15, 2001.

Ellis RC, Earnhardt JN, Nick HS, Hayes RL, Anderson DK. Characterization of cathepsin B expression following contusion spinal cord injury (SCI). American Society for Neurochemistry, Palm Beach, FL, June 22-26, 2002.

Ellis RC, Earnhardt JN, Hayes RL, O'Steen WA, Anderson DK. Contusion Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Induced Changes in Cathepsin B Gene and Protein Expression. National and International Neurotrauma Societies, Tampa, FL, October 27-November 1, 2002.

Sarah E. Fendrick, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Wolfgang J. Streit, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled 

August 2002 - August 2006

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education

B.S., Genetics, University of Wisconsin

Publications

Streit WJ, Conde JR, Fendrick SE, Flanary BE, Mariani CL.  Role of microglia in the central nervous system's immune response. Neurol Res. 2005 Oct;27(7):685-91. Review.  abstract

Fendrick SE, Miller KR, Streit WJ.  Minocycline does not inhibit microglia proliferation or neuronal regeneration in the facial nucleus following crush injury. Neurosci Lett. 2005 Sep 16;385(3):220-3.  abstract

Barry Flanary, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Wolfgang J. Streit, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled 

August 2001 - April 2005

Dissertation Title

Analysis of Rat Microglial Cellular Senescence as Determined by Measurements of Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity

Education

B.S., Biological Sciences, Illinois State University

M.S., Biological Sciences, Illinois State University

Professional Positions 

Publications

Streit WJ, Conde JR, Fendrick SE, Flanary BE, Mariani CL.  Role of microglia in the central nervous system's immune response. Neurol Res. 2005 Oct;27(7):685-91. Review.  abstract

Flanary BE, Streit WJ. Progressive telomere shortening occurs in cultured rat microglia, but not astrocytes. Glia. 2004 Jan 1;45(1):75-88.  abstract

Flanary BE, Streit WJ.  Telomeres shorten with age in rat cerebellum and cortex in vivo. J Anti Aging Med. 2003;6(4):299-308.  abstract

Flanary B. Review of the gerontology literature. J Anti Aging Med. 2003 Spring;6(1):41-3.  abstract

Van Rhein SL, Flanary BE, Juliano SA. Effects of habitat type and drying on Ascogregarina barretti (Eugregarinida: Lecudinidae) infection in Aedes triseritatus (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol. 2000 Nov;37(6):950-6.  abstract

Jenny Fortun, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Lucia Notterpek, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled 

August 2000 - April 2005

Dissertation Title

Protein Aggregation In Peripheral Myelin Protein 22 (PMP22)-Associated Neuropathies

Education

B.S., Biochemistry

Professional Position  

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Miami, Department of Neuroscience

Publications

Fortun J, Go JC, Li J, Amici SA, Dunn WA Jr, Notterpek L. Alterations in degradative pathways and protein aggregation in a neuropathy model based on PMP22 overexpression.  Neurobiol Dis. 2006 Apr;22(1):153-64. abstract

Fortun J, Li J, Go J, Fenstermaker A, Fletcher BS, Notterpek L.  Impaired proteasome activity and accumulation of ubiquitinated substrates in a hereditary neuropathy model. J Neurochem. 2005 Mar;92(6):1531-41. abstract

Fortun J, Dunn WA Jr, Joy S, Li J, Notterpek L. Emerging role for autophagy in the removal of aggresomes in Schwann cells. J Neurosci. 2003 Nov 19;23(33):10672-80.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings

Notterpek, L., Fortun, J. & Fergurson, T.A. (2002). Aggregation of peripheral myelin protein 22 in the Trembler J neuropathy nerves. Journal of Neurochemistry 81 (Suppl.1), p77.

Fortun, J. & Nottepek, L. (2003). Aggresomes are transient structures in Schwann cells. Journal of Neurochemistry 85 (suppl.1) p85.
Fortun J., Dunn, W.J., Joy S., & Notterpek, L. (2003). Emerging role for autophagy in the removal of aggresomes. Society for Neuroscience meeting, 2003.

Li J., Fortun J., & Notterpek, L. (2003) Impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in Trembler J nerves. Society for Neuroscience meeting, 2003.

Honors & Awards

Alumni Graduate Fellowship, University of Florida

2003 Bryan W. Robinson Neurological Foundation Grant-in-Aid (competitive), Achievement award, Tallahassee, Florida

Shannon Haire,  Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Susan L. Semple-Rowland, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 2001 - May 2006

Dissertation Title

Gene Therapy Restores Function to Cone Cells in an Animal Model of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA-1)

Professional Positions  

Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Florida Dept of Ophthalmology, May 2006

Education

B.S., Marine Biology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Edward Williams College

Publications

Pang J, Cheng M, Haire SE, Planelles V, Blanks JC.  Efficiency of lentiviral transduction during development in normal and rd mice.  2006.  Molecular Vision (in press)

Williams M, Coleman JE, Haire S, Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Jacobson SG , SL Semple-Rowland SL.  Lentiviral Vector Mediated Expression of GC1 Restores Vision in the GUCY1*B Avian Model of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA).  2006.  PLOS (in press)

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

Boye SL1, Peterson JJ1, Petrs-Silva H2, Min SH1, Pang JJ1, Haire SE3, Li Q1, Chiodo VA1, Ding M1, Hauswirth WW1.  Transduction and Tropism of an Abbreviated form of CMV-Chicken beta-actin Promoter (CBA) with AAV in Mouse Retina. Dept. Ophthalmology University of Florida, Gainesville, FL1; Instituto de Biofisica Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil2; Dept. Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL3 (ARVO, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2006)

SL Semple-Rowland1, M Williams1, JE Coleman1, S Haire1, TS Aleman2, AV Cideciyan2, SG Jacobson2.  Lentiviral Vector Mediated Expression of GC1 Restores Vision in the GUCY1*B Avian Model of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). 1Dept. Neuroscience, University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL and 2Dept. Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (Ocular Cell & Molecular Biology. Sarasota, FL 2005)

Haire SE1, Pang J2, Robinson A1, Boye SL2, Sokal I3, Craft CM4, Palczewski K3, Hauswirth WW2, Semple-Rowland SL.  AAV-GC1 restores subcellular distribution of cone arrestin in the GC1 KO mouse.  Dept. Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute1, Dept. Opthalmology2 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Dept. Opthalmology3, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Dept. Ophthalmology 4, USC Keck Med. Sch, Los Angeles, CA. Oral presentation at at Ocular Cell & Molecular Biology Meeting, Sarasota, FL, September 2005

S.E. Haire, I.A. Elder, D.R. Saban, J.J. Janssen, A.M. M. Timmers.  Optimization of Lentiviral Gene Delivery to the Retinal Pigment Epithelium in vivo. Dept. Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Dept. Ophthalmology, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands. (ARVO, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2003)

A.M. Timmers, T.B. Nguyen, S.E. Haire, I.A. Elder, M.P. Popp.  CNTF Induced Gene Expression in Rat Retina. Dept. Ophthalmology, ICBR, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL (ARVO, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2003)

Linser, P.J., J.D. Ochrietor, H.K. Lehman, A. Kohn, M. Dasher, S. Haire, and M.D.P. Corena.  Cellular Heterogeneity of the larval mosquito gut epithelium. [American Society for Cell Biology Abstract]. Molec. Biol. Cell 2000, 11 (supplement): 297a. Abstract 1546. (American Society for Cell Biology, San Fransisco, CA 2000)

John-David Herlihy, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Harry S. Nick, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled 

August 1999 - August 2006

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education

B.S., Biology, University of Vermont

Publications

Muller C, Braag SA, Herlihy JD, Wasserfall CH, Chesrown SE, Nick HS, Atkinson MA, Flotte TR.  Enhanced IgE allergic response to Aspergillus fumigatus in CFTR-/- mice.  Lab Invest. 2006 Feb;86(2):130-40. abstract

Virella-Lowell I, Herlihy JD, Liu B, Lopez C, Cruz P, Muller C, Baker HV, Flotte TR.  Effects of CFTR, interleukin-10, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on gene expression profiles in a CF bronchial epithelial cell Line. Mol Ther. 2004 Sep;10(3):562-73. abstract

Zhainazarov AB, Doolin R, Herlihy JD, Ache BW. Odor-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in lobster olfactory receptor cells. J Neurophysiol. 2001 Jun;85(6):2537-44.  abstract

G. Andrew James, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Yijun Liu, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 2000 - December 2005

Dissertation Title

Modeling age-related learning deficits with functional neuroimaging connectivity analysis

Professional Positions  

Post-doctorial trainee, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Education

B.S., Chemistry;  B.S., Psychology;  Georgia Institute of Technology

Publications

James GA, He G, Liu Y.  A full-size MRI-compatible keyboard response system. Neuroimage. 2005 Mar;25(1):328-31. Epub 2005 Jan 20. abstract

Shapira NA, Lessig MC, He AG, James GA, Driscoll DJ, Liu Y.  Satiety dysfunction in Prader-Willi syndrome demonstrated by fMRI. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;76(2):260-2. abstract

James GA, Gold MS, Liu Y. Interaction of satiety and reward response to food stimulation. J Addictive Dis. 2004; 23(3), 23-37.

Shapira NA, Liu Y, He AG, Bradley MM, Lessig MC, James GA, Stein DJ, Lang PJ, Goodman WK. Brain activation by disgust-inducing pictures in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2003 Oct 1;54(7):751-6.  abstract

He AG, Tan LH, Tang Y, James GA, Wright P, Eckert MA, Fox PT, Liu Y. Modulation of neural connectivity during tongue movement and reading. Hum Brain Mapp. 2003 Mar;18(3):222-32.  abstract

James GA, Guo W, Liu Y. Imaging in vivo brain-hormone interaction in the control of eating and obesity. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2001 Winter;3(4):617-22.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

Liu Y, Frost-Pineda K, James GA, Gold MS. Functional MRI Detection of Brain Changes Related to the Effectiveness of Novel Pharmacological Treatments for Obesity. Biol Psych. 55 (8S) 37S #128, 2004.

James, G.A., He, G., Tang, Y., & Liu, Y. (2004). Comparing patterns of implicit and explicit motor learning with a behavior driven functional connectivity analysis method. Presented at the 10th International conference on Functional Mapping of the Human Brain, June 13-17, 2004, Budapest, Hungary. Available on CD-Rom in Neuroimage, 22 (1).

James, G.A., Tang, Y., & Liu, Y. (2003). Comparing two serial response time implicit motor learning designs. Program No. 400.16. 2003 Abstracts Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. CD-ROM.

James, G.A., Tang, Y., & Liu, Y. (2003). Brain activation by typing movement with an MRI-compatible keyboard [abstract]. Presented at the 9th International Conference on Functional Mapping of the Human Brain, June 19-22, 2003, New York, NY. Available on CD-Rom in Neuroimage, Vol 19, No. 2.

James, G.A., He, G., Eckert, M., & Liu, Y. (2003). An MRI-compatible keyboard recording system for functional investigation of complex motor behaviors. Eleventh Scientific Meeting and Exhibition of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

James, G.A., He, G., Miller, A.W., Taeb, Y. & Liu, Y. (2002). MRI of hunger and insula activation during a fasting paradigm. Tenth Scientific Meeting and Exhibition of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

James, G.A.; Leonard, C.M.; Maron, L.; Grudnik, J.; Eckert, M.A.; Mahoney, B.; Ricciuti, N.; DeBose, C.; Kuldau, J.M. Anatomical Risk Factors and Cognition in Schizophrenia. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., Vol. 27, Program No. 572.14, 2001.

Honors & Awards

2005 Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research, UF College of Medicine

2003 ISMRM Educational Stipend for Students

2002 ISMRM Educational Stipend for Students

Sami Jezzini, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Neuroscience

Mentor

Leonid L. Moroz, Ph.D.

Department

Neuroscience

Enrolled

August 2000 - May 2006

Dissertation Title

Genomic approaches to neuronal identity:  Nitregic neurons and their targets in Aphysia californica

Professional Positions

Education 

A.A., Liberal Arts, Valencia Community College;  B.S., Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University

Publications

Lovell P, Jezzini SH, Moroz LL.  Electroporation of neurons and growth cones in Aplysia californica. J Neurosci Methods. 2005 Sep 17 abstract

Sami H. Jezzini, Michaela Bodnarova, and Leonid L. Moroz. Two-Color In situ hybridization in the CNS of Aplysia californica. J Neuroscience Methods, In press

Timothy Drake, Sami