Research Interests
Learning and Memory as well as Reward/Addiction pathways- Using electrophysiology in combination with pharmacology and molecular biology techniques the lab studies synaptic plasticity, the cellular mechanism allowing our brains to learn and adapt. We study synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, the primary region involved in learning and memory and the ventral tegmental area, which is the reward pathway of the brain. The goal is to understand normal brain function and as a result apply this to abnormal states such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s in the hippocampus and addiction in the ventral tegmental area.
Experience
Academic - Post-Secondary
- Associate Director, BYU Neuroscience Center, 2015-Present
- Faculty, BYU Neuroscience Center, 2007-Present
- Full Professor, Brigham Young University, -2018
- Associate Professor, Brigham Young University, 2013-2018
Professional
- President, Society for Neuroscience Intermountain Branch, 2012-2015
Memberships
- International Cannabinoid Research Society, 2012-Present
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007-Present
- Neuroscience Center, 2007-Present
- Society for Neuroscience, 2004-Present
- Intermountain Chapter Society for Neuroscience, 2000-Present
- American Physiological Society, 1998-Present
- Idaho Academy of Sciences, 2005-2006
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences, 1999-2004
Honors and Awards
- Brigham Young University : Graduate Mentoring Award
- PDBio : PDBio Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service
- Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience : Honors Award
- Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience : Honors Award
- Brigham Young University : Graduate Mentoring Award
- Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience : Honors Award
- Faculty Center : Course Development Project Grant
- BYU-Idaho : Thomas E. Ricks Award
- NIH : National Service Research Award- Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences : Don Tucker Memorial Award Nominee
- Assocation for Chemoreception Sciences : Assocation for Chemoreception Sciences Travel Awards
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences : Don Tucker Memorial Award Nominee
- Intermountain Chapter Society for Neuroscience : Most outstanding presentation
Courses Taught
Winter 2019
- NEURO 449R: Neuro Research Experience Section 006
- PDBIO 295R: Introductory Undgrad Research Section 005
- PDBIO 349R: PDBio Teaching Experience Section 006
- PDBIO 362: Advanced Physiology Section 002, 003
- PDBIO 495R: Adv Undergraduate Research Section 005
- PDBIO 550R: Advanced Topics in PDBio Section 006
- PDBIO 649R: Laboratory Research Section 005
- PDBIO 689R: Practicum LfSci Tchg or Resrch Section 001
Fall 2018
- NEURO 449R: Neuro Research Experience Section 005
- PDBIO 295R: Introductory Undgrad Research Section 005
- PDBIO 495R: Adv Undergraduate Research Section 005
- PDBIO 568: Biophysics Section 001
- PDBIO 601: Cell & Molecular Physiology Section 001
- PDBIO 649R: Laboratory Research Section 005
Summer 2018
- NEURO 449R: Neuro Research Experience Section 006
Spring 2018
- NEURO 449R: Neuro Research Experience Section 006
- NEURO 799R: Doctoral Dissertation Section 003
- PDBIO 295R: Introductory Undgrad Research Section 005
- PDBIO 495R: Adv Undgraduate Research Section 005
Publications
Journal Articles
Book Chapter
Presentations