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Current Research Group
Ph.D. Graduate Student: Elena Kozlova, Neuroscience graduate program
- Ms. Kozlova’s ongoing pre-doctoral research utilizes several animal models of environmental perturbations on cognitive disease states. Under this umbrella, she examines the effects of developmental flame retardants (PBDE) exposure on behavior, gene expression and social brain network connectivity. Ms. Kozlova also studies PBDE actions as metabolic disrupting chemicals and the role of high fat diet on gene changes in the brain. Currently, Ms. Kozlova is studying the neuropathology of Gulf War Illness that may be triggered by sensory, autonomic, and humoral signals between brain and gut.
- Ms. Kozlova was named recipient of a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship that will help her obtain mentored research training while conducting dissertation research.
Postdoc: Clara Berdasco, Ph.D.
- Dr. Berdasco earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2019 from University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her dissertation research was focused on the neurodegeneration and inflammation triggered by Shiga toxin 2 from enterohemorrhagic E. coli on a mouse model of Uremic Hemolytic Syndrome. Currently, Clara is studying the gut-brain interactions that may contribute to pathophysiology in Gulf War Illness.
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Current Undergraduate Students
Anthony Bishay
Maximilian Denys
Michael Ghaly
Kayhon Rabbani
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Past MS Students
Paul George Rack, Biochemistry, 1998
Current Position: Manager, Molecular Biology, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Stanford Ph.D. 2012)
Jennifer Dao, Biochemistry, 1999
Current Position: Research Scientist, Amgen, San Francisco
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Past PhD Students
Chong Wook Pak, Ph.D., Esq. (Neuroscience, 2002)
Thesis Title: “Mechanisms of Excitotoxic Resistance in Supraoptic Neurons”
Current Position: Attorney, International Intellectual Property Law, Cislo and Thomas, LLC.
Shenfeng Qiu, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. (Environmental Toxicology, 2004)
Thesis Title: “Mechanisms of Domoic Acid Action: Glutamate Receptor-Mediated Excitotoxicity and Changes of Hippocampal Neurotransmission and Synaptic Plasticity"
Current Position: Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine
Cary Coburn, Ph.D. (Environmental Toxicology, 2007)
Thesis Title: “Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) as Environmental Neuroendocrine Disruptors: Effects on Central Vasopressin Release; Structure-Function Relationships and Modes of Action”
Current Position: Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Merced College
Samuel Mucio-Ramirez (2011) (Exchange student, Mexico, 6 months)
Current Position: Researcher, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, Mexico City
Arash Adami, Ph.D. (sponsor, Neuroscience, 2013)
Thesis Title: “Pathophysiology of Juvenile Traumatic Brain Injury: Role of Edema and a Potential Treatment”
Current Position: Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences, Miramar College and Founder/CEO of Alpha Fiber, a biotech startup
Kurt Spurgin, D.O., Ph.D. (Neuroscience, 2014)
Thesis Title: “The Impact of Environmental and Psychological Stressors on Markers of Stress Axis Activation and the Beneficial Effects of Manual Therapy“
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Health Sciences, College of the Desert
Rosemarie R. Calma, Ph.D. (Biological Sciences, 2014) (Exchange Student - Philippines, 2 years)
Thesis Title: “Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (tPACAP38) and vitellogenin (Vtg) expressions in male Tilapia hybrids (California O. niloticus x O. mossambicus) exposed to DE-71 under freshwater and saline water conditions”
Current Position: High school teacher, San Jose, CA
Matt Valdez, Ph.D. (Neuroscience, 2016)
Thesis Title: “Novel Roles of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and its Receptors in Social Behaviors and Stress Responses in the Mouse”
Current Position: ORISE postdoc, US EPA
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Past Postdocs
Mohamed Hussein, Professor of Physiology, Dept. of Basic Sciences, (LECOM) Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL
Elizabeth R. Gillard (deceased), Associate Editor, Carnegie Mellon University
Postdoc: Bruno Carabelli, Ph.D.
- Dr. Carabelli earned his Ph.D. in Physiology in 2018 from Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. As a Master’s student he investigated the effects of fish-oil supplementation in early-phases of development on serotonergic system. His dissertation research was focused on the antidepressant-like effect of omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (ω-3 PUFAs) in an LPS-depression model in Wistar rats. Currently, Dr. Carabelli is studying the gut-brain interactions that may contribute to pathophysiology in Gulf War Illness including neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits.
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Past Postbaccalaureate Trainees
Okunola Jeyifous - (PhD, Univ. Chicago) - Research Assistant Professor, Dept Neurobiology, University of Chicago
Eugene Snissarenko - (MD, Loma Linda Univ.) - Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Lancaster
Fernando Quiros - (MD) - Psychiatrist in Bogota, Colombia
Abeena Siriboe-Watson - (MS, Univ VA) - Research Technician, University of Colorado
Joseph Valdez - PhD student, Neuroscience Graduate Program, UC Riverside
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High School Trainees
Nicole Fournier (UCR undergraduate)
Ambereen Khan (UCR Undergraduate)