Ph.D. in Addiction Neuroscience

Why did you choose graduate school at IUPUI?

One of the biggest reasons I chose to pursue a PhD at IUPUI was because of the positive and collaborative environment between the faculty and graduate students within the Addiction Neuroscience department. I learn so much from everyone and know that I can walk up to anyone’s office to ask a question about my research interests. Everyone is always happy to help!

What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?

My favorite academic accomplishment has been establishing a way to use animal models to investigate Pb exposure and addiction in my lab. Further, I am also excited that I have had the opportunity to work on several projects at one time. This has given me the opportunity to build my technical skillset and form a collaboration with a different department as well. Too, I was able to present some of my data at the Research Society on Alcoholism conference for a second time

What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?

What I enjoy most about life in Indy is that it does not feel like a huge city, but there are plenty of things to do. I really enjoy walking on Mass Ave where there are tons of restaurants. Also, Fountain Square always has a concert or show going on!

Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.

Most of my current research is focused on how early-life low-level lead (Pb) exposure alters the brain as well as phenotypes of addiction in adulthood. More recently, I have focused on how this developmental Pb exposure alters responses to alcohol intake, alcohol preference, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviors in two different mouse genotypes. Aside from my lab work, I am an executive board member of the Under-represented Professional and Graduate Student Organization (UPnGO), an IUPUI graduate emissary, and a co-founding member of the graduate student diversity committee in the psychology department.