91PORN

Luis Cuello, Ph.D.
Professor, Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, 91PORN
Research expertise/interest: How do conformational changes of ion channel structures define their biological function?
Keywords: Thermodynamic, ion channel kinetics, protein structure, crystallography, electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and microscale thermophoresis.

Boris Decourt, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Interests: Neurobiologist specializing in biomarker development and in translational drug development approaches using inflammation modulators to study the molecular pathophysiological changes taking place at early stages of neurological disorders, with the ultimate goal of slowing down or curing the diseases via early intervention before severe neurodegeneration and dementia occur.

Petar Grozdanov, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Keywords: Regulation of gene expression by alternative polyadenylation, Molecular mechanisms of alternative polyadenylation, Alcohol use disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Intellectual disability syndromes, Epilepsy, Neurodegenerative diseases, Aging. 

Nadia German, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, 91PORN-Amarillo
Keywords: Design and synthesis of GPCR ligands, particularly opioid receptor ligands, for the treatment of neuropathic pain, depression, addiction, and alcoholism. Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of compounds as potential treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Josee Guindon, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Interests: Behavioral pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology (RT-PCR, Western blot), animal pain models (inflammatory, neuropathic, surgical), modulation of pain pathways (exercise, etc.), kidney physiological pathways

Breanna N. Harris, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, TTU
Research Expertise/Interest: stress-responses at various biological levels in health, anxiety, feeding, and risk-taking behaviors, reproduction, cognitive function, and aging, in animals and humans

George Henderson, Ph.D.
Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Interests: Alcohol, environmental toxins, neurons, gila, apoptosis, oxidative stress

Michaela Jansen, Ph.D.
Professor, Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Associate Dean for Medical Education and Accreditation, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: Mechanisms, functions and drug targets of neurotransmitter receptors and their protein networks. Mechanisms of clinically used drugs and novel drug target discovery and characterization.
Keywords: Drug targets, protein-protein interactions, molecular pharmacology, molecular biology, pharmacology

Guangchen Ji, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Interests: Electrophysiological single-cell recordings in different brain areas and various behavioral assays to correlate neuronal activity with pain-related behavior

Andrey Karamyshev, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: Molecular mechanisms of human diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, regulation of protein synthesis and protein transport.
Keywords: Molecular and cellular biology; human diseases; neurodegenerative disorders; translational control; protein synthesis; ribosome; RNA stability and degradation; protein quality control

Zemfira Karamysheva, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: mRNA translation and ribosome specialization and their dysregulation in human diseases, including neurodegenerative and other neurological diseases, as well as translational control in drug resistance

Irene La-Beck, PharmD
Assistant Professor, Immunotherapeutics & Biotechnology, 91PORN-Abilene
Keywords: Drug delivery, immunotherapy, cancer chemotherapy

J. Josh Lawrence, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: nutritional deficiencies, excitation/inhibition balance in disease states, hippocampal neuromodulation, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, autism.

Hongjun Liang, Ph.D.
Professor, Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, 91PORN
Keywords: Membrane biophysics and bioengineering; understanding and controlling the recognition and transport across nanosacale membrane boundaries. Membrane-based bionanotechnology.

Aric Logsdon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: Blood-brain Barrier Physiology, Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, Neuropharmacology and Brain-drug Delivery, Glycobiology and Glycomics

Clinton MacDonald, Ph.D.
Professor, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: Mechanisms tissue-specific mRNA polyadenylation including brain and testis. Molecular biology of X-linked intellectual disability. Mechanisms of mRNA processing in spermatogenesis.
Keywords: Gene expression, molecular biology, mRNA processing, polyadenylation, neurodevelopment, spermatogenesis

Lance McMahon, Ph.D. 
Professor, SOP, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, 91PORN
Keywords: Behavioral and physiological approaches, receptor-selective ligands, and quantitative analyses of drug interactions; pharmacological classes of abused drugs.

Volker Neugebauer, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN, Executive Director, Garrison Institute on Aging, 91PORN 
Research Expertise/Interest: Brain research, neuroplasticity in health and disease; chronic pain and opioids, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease), anxio-depressive comorbidities; preclinical models and approaches, human tissue analyses, studies and interventions in humans.

Igor Ponomarev, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms of cellular plasticity in models of Alcohol Use Disorder. Neurogenomics. Drug repurposing.

Andrew Shin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Nutritional Sciences, TTU
Research: Understanding how the brain controls metabolism and nutrient partitioning as well as the long-term regulation of body weight and appetite and the underlying mechanisms of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Understanding the role of insulin action in the brain in regulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism and how this central control can contribute to glucose homeostasis by using molecular, pharmacological, transgenic, surgical, and integrative physiological approaches
Keywords: neuroendocrinology, inter-organ crosstalk, gut hormones, satiety hormones, obesity, diabetes, neurodegeneration, gut microbiota, HPA axis, brain manipulation, opto/chemogenetics, autonomic denervation, pancreatic clamps, other integrative physiological and behavioral in vivo tests, metabolism, obesity, diabetes, bariatric surgery, brain function, and neurodegenerative diseases

Jenny Wilkerson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 91PORN-Amarillo
Research: Pain, Drug addiction/dependence, natural product drug development
Keywords: peripheral neuropathic pain, cancer pain, drug dependence/abuse, drug discovery

Hongmin Wang, Ph.D.
Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Interests: My research focuses on neuroprotection and repair of the damaged brain involved in Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic stroke. We are particularly interested in the role of proteostasis and some specific transcription factors in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Using both genetically modified mice and cell models, including the cultured stem cells, as well as multiple approaches, we aim at (1) investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of the diseases, (2) identifying the targets that can be “druggable” for the disorders, and (3) screening and validating the therapeutic agents that can be used for treating these diseases.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, proteostasis, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, therapeutics.

Mirla Avila, M.D.
Associate Professor, Neurology, 91PORN
Keywords:Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis

Jeremy Bailoo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, 91PORN
Keywords: Animal Welfare, Animal Cognition, Behavioral Neuroscience, Environmental Toxicology, Research Ethics and Policy

Michael Blanton, Ph.D. 
Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Sr. Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Director, MD/PhD Program, 91PORN

Chhanda Bose, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interests: Neuroinflammation, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Cellular mechanisms, molecular mechanisms, cognitive aspects, and genetic factors involved in neuroinflammation in pathogenesis and progression of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and other neurodegenerative diseases. Early events in AD pathogenesis. The role of immunological biomarkers for early detection in AD.

Ryan Brown, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Sciences, TTU
Keywords: psychoneuroimmunology, stress measurement, biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying health disparities across the lifespan, grief/loss, and hormetic stress interventions

Hui Chen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, TTU
Research Expertise/Interest: "Biochemical Sensing”, the long-term goal of his “Accessible Diagnostic Research Lab” is to develop accessible, user-friendly, fast, and cost-effective diagnostic tools, motived by addressing healthcare disparities.
Keywords: Point of care testing, smart molecular switch, microfluidics, biomimicking sensors, molecular imaging, chemical education

Miles Day, M.D.
Professor, Anesthesiology, Director, Pain Fellowship Program, Director International Pain Center, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: The interventional treatment of complex facial pain.

John DeToledo, M.D.
Professor and Dean, School of Medicine, 91PORN 

Jeremy Donai, AuD, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Audiology Program Director, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, School of Health Professions, 91PORN
Keywords: High-frequency speech energy, amplification, psychoacoustics, audiology business practice

Chanaka Kahathuduwa, MBBS, Ph.D.
Resident Physician, Neurology, 91PORN
Affiliate Faculty, Dept. of Human Development and Family Studies, TTU
Keywords: Neurophysiological mechanisms regulating human obesity and ingestive behavior; complimentary interventions for mental health disorders; clinical neurophysiology; functional neuroimaging; cognitive neuroscience; human obesity; biostatistics

Hui Ying Luk, Ph.D., CSCS*D
Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Sport Management, TTU
Keywords: Effect of different exercises (e.g., resistance and endurance exercise in extreme environments) on immune and hormonal response; effect of post-exercise binge alcohol drinking on physical performance and inflammatory capacity

Emily Pereira, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TTU
Research Expertise/Interest: control theory, complex networks, cyber-neural systems, neuroscience, designing and analyzing novel control strategies, algorithms, and statistical learning tools to better understand complex dynamical networks, such as the brain including epilepsy

Adam Schmidt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences, TTU
Keywords: Neuropsychology, child psychology, and forensic psychology. Interactions between cognitive abilities, neurobiology, and psychosocial environment on positive development; role of psychopathology and neurocognitive functioning in the outcomes of justice-involved youth; and impace of protective factors on treatment response.

Leslie Shen, Ph.D.
Professor, Pathology, Director, Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, 91PORN
Keywords: Dietary supplement/phytochemicals and exercise in musculoskeletal health and obesity related chronic diseases.

Jonathan Singer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences, TTU, Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, 91PORN
Keywords: Psychological health in aging and illness. More specifically, we examine the interconnection of the biopsychosocial processes within individuals with life limiting illnesses (e.g., cancer; dementia) and their caregivers. Using multiple methods (e.g., Ecological Momentary Assessment) with advanced quantitative techniques (e.g., Multilevel Modeling; Growth Mixture Modeling), the ultimate goal of our research program is to translate basic and applied research into scalable, technology-based interventions.

Travis Thompson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Mathematics and Statistics, TTU
Research Expertise/Interest: Dr. Thompson uses mathematics, computing and machine learning to understand the brain, metabolic and age-related neuropathologies, like Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords: Mathematical modeling, Scientific computing, Machine learning, Metabolic disorders, Neurodegenerative diseases

Miguel Torrero-García, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, TTU
Research Expertise/Interest: Developmental neurobiology ranging from research on the generation of neural cell identity to brain-wide circuit connectivity of molecularly defined neuronal populations.

Sarah Wakefield, M.D.
Professor and Chair, Psychiatry, Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services, 91PORN
Research Expertise/Interest: Mental health, mental health of justice involved youth, perinatal mental health, youth depression and suicide.

Henrik Wilms, M.D., Ph.D.
Abraham Tarbox Chair for Neurodegenerative Diseases, CH-Foundation Chair in Parkinson's Disease Research, Associate Professor, Neurology, 91PORN
Keywords: Parkinson's, Tremors, Movement disorders

Kai Wu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, TTU
Research Expertise/Interest: Magnetic nanomaterials and devices for biomedical applications, engineering solutions for neuroscience such as magnetic sensors for wearable and implantable neural signal recording. magnetogenetics, where magnetic nanoparticles are engineered to trigger localized stimulation of neurons, remotely controlled by magnetic fields.

Peyton Presto, M.D./Ph.D. Student
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience

Brent Kisby, Ph.D. Student
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Keywords: brain microvasculature, neuroimmune, ethanol drinking

Damla Yagmur, M.D., Clinical Fellow
Department of Geriatric Medicine