Presenting Author
UNT Health Science Center
Personal Bio
I earned my Ph.D. in Cognition and Neuroscience in 2012 from the University of Texas at Dallas where my research focused on learning dependent plasticity in the hippocampus and amygdala following an emotionally arousing task. It was here that I described the time course for changes in post burst afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) in the hippocampus and amygdala following the acquisition of an emotionally arousing task as well as demonstrating that plasticity in hippocampal AHPs following such a task is dependent on an intact amygdala. My first post doc appointment (2012-2014) was a joint appointment with the University of South Florida and the James A Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida where my research focused on the effects of stress on memory in an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, I was involved in developing an in vitro model of the stress responses and its time dependent effects on hippocampal plasticity.
Research Interests
My current research interests involve the study of the brain renin-angiotensin system and the role it plays in neural plasticity. Currently, my work focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate the synthesis and release of angiotensin II within the brain in response to chronic intermittent hypoxia, an animal model that simulates the hypoxemia associated with sleep apnea. Furthermore, I investigate how dysregulation of angiotensin signaling can contribute to pathogenesis such as the development of hypertension commonly associated with sleep apnea. In my research group, we have developed the use of sniffer cell line to detect the spontaneous and evoked release of angiotensin II in an in vitro preparation. Additionally, our research group has shown that angiotensin II signaling can influence the excitability of neurons in the median preoptic nucleus, an integrative brain structure that contributes to the sustained hypertension associated with sleep apnea, through the regulation of potassium-chloride co-transporters.
Current Projects
Role of the brain renin-angiotensin system in the development of hypertension. Plasticity of vasopressin secreting neurons following osmotic challenge Neuroplasticity and neurovascular changes in responses to hemorrhage