People

Titilade Ajayi - tajayi@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Psychology, 2018, University of Texas at Arlington

I am a first-year student currently rotating in Dr. Goeders’ Lab. I chose to attend LSUHS because of the welcoming and family-type atmosphere.

Adesewa Akande - aakand@lsuhsc.edu - B.Pharm. Pharmacy, 2016, University of Ibadan

I am currently rotating as a first-year student but I have specific interests in the management of substance use disorder which is a public health concern with significant socioeconomic implications. I intend to work on elucidating the roles oxidative stress and inflammation play in the pathophysiology of addiction and how phytochemicals and their derivatives may be used to mitigate those effects.

Mychal Grames - mgrame@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Chemistry, 2015, Louisiana State University - Shreveport

I am a fourth-year graduate student working in Dr. Lin’s lab. We study cerebral vascular innervations and the characterization of novel signaling agents. We explore these in the contexts of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stroke.  We aim to better understand stroke, cerebral ischemia and blood flow, angiogenesis, and neuroprotection.

Clifton Haacker - chaack@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Neuroscience, 2020, Baylor University

I am a first-year graduate student pursuing a doctorate in pharmacology. Earning a doctorate means being able to combine a passion for science and for people in a way that can have lasting effects. I am particularly interested in drug addiction research and think that LSUHS has a fantastic program that will allow me to earn my degree and so much more. This is a great place to expand my personal knowledge and the knowledge in my area of study to make an impact that will benefit society.

Angelic Holston - aholst@lsuhsc.edu - B.A.S. Chemistry, 2018, Fort Valley State University

I am a second-year graduate student working in Dr. Zhao's lab. We study the role of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) in liver cancer. We aim to understand whether ACC1 contributes to liver cancer growth and further demonstrate the underlying mechanism of action may help identify new drug targets to treat liver cancer. 

Courtney Jamison - Cjami1@lsuhsc.edu - B.A. Biology, Criminology, 2014, University of Texas-Dallas

I am a fifth-year graduate student working in Dr. McMartin's renal toxicology lab. We are trying to elucidate the mechanism of toxicity of diethylene glycol (DEG), a pharmaceutical contaminant. My project focuses on mitochondrial changes in vitro and characterizing the neurological effects associated in some DEG poisonings in vivo.

Ashton Jorgensen - ajorge@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Biochemistry, Chemistry, 2016, Louisiana State University

I'm a second year working in Dr. Nam's lab on a brand new cardiovascular project. I am researching the neurogranin protein, which was previously thought to be brain-specific. We have now discovered that it is expressed in the aorta, and that mice lacking this protein exhibit endothelial dysfunction.

Maggie Mott - Mmott1@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Biology, 2017, McNeese State University

I am a third-year graduate student in Dr. Goeders’ lab.  I am studying the sexual effects of methamphetamine in females, a highly undeveloped area of research.  One specific aspect of my research is measuring changes in vaginal lubrication induced by intravenous methamphetamine administration. 

Lailun Nahar - lnahar@lsuhsc.edu - B.A. Psychology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, 2016, University of Rochester

I am a fourth-year graduate student working in Dr. Nam’s lab. I study the molecular and behavioral effects of parvalbumin fast-spiking interneurons in the cortical-striatal circuit.  We study their role to better understand reward-seeking behavior as it pertains to alcohol addiction. 

Tyler Reekes - treeke@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Biology, 2017, Hampden-Sydney College

I am a third-year graduate student working in Dr. Disbrow’s lab. My work is focused on identifying sex differences in cognitive dysfunction. We focus on neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism and ADHD and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alicia Thomas - atho28@lsuhsc.edu - B.A. Biology, 2018, Talladega College

I am Alicia Thomas a second-year student working in Dr. Schmoutz’s lab. In the Schmoutz laboratory, we use neuropharmacology, neurochemistry, and behavioral techniques to study neuropsychiatric disorders such as stress, epilepsy, and anxiety. We’re currently focused on the zebrafish steroid signaling pathways and their anticonvulsant effects in epilepsy disorder.

Julie Tobin - jdagen@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Chemistry, 2013, Louisiana State University

I'm a fifth-year student in Dr. McMartin's lab. We are a renal toxicology lab that is focused on the effects of diethylene glycol and its metabolite diglycolic acid. My work focuses on the transport of diglycolic acid in kidney cells.

Frances Vest - mvest@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Biopsychology, 2019, Oglethorpe University

I am a first-year graduate student currently rotating in Dr. Murnane's lab. I chose to come to LSUHS for my Ph.D. because of the resources available, and the passionate faculty. I have not been disappointed since joining the program. There are endless opportunities and you can tell the faculty really want the best for the students.

Bo Wood - bwood8@lsuhsc.edu - B.S. Biopsychology, 2016, Oglethorpe University

I am first-year graduate student rotating in Dr. Murnane’s Lab. I chose to come to LSUHS because of the faculty and the research I had seen coming from this institution. I was really drawn in by the communal feel that the department gave off. I was given the impression that research and collaboration was a top priority. Research being so diverse now, the collaborative environment will allow me to  hopefully find really influential projects to work on that will help people down the line.

Madison Wynne El-Saadi - Mwynn1@lsuhsc.edu - M.S. Molecular Biology, 2014, Louisiana State University-Shreveport

I'm a fifth-year PhD candidate working in the lab of Dr. Lu.  There my work has focused on developing neurotechnology to measure DNA damage and DNA Damage Response in adult neurons.  We would like to better understand the role DNA instability plays in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease.

Courtney Keller, PhD (LSU Health Shreveport)

Xinli Tian, PhD (Zhongshan University (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangdong, China)

2020

Madison El-Saadi (PhD, Dr. Xiaohong Lu)
Dissertation: Genetically Engineering a Viral Sensor to Identify Environmental and Genetic Factors that Converge to Elicit Neuronal Genomic Instability: Implications in Parkinsonism
Current Employment: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

2019

Adam Richard (PhD, Dr. Xiaohong Lu)
Dissertation: Pharmacologic and Genetic Targeting of Neural Extracellular Matrix to Restore Neuroplasticity in the Striatum for Normal and Pathologic Aging-Related Cognitive Decline
Current Employment: Study Director, Covance

2018

Merve Kasap (PhD, Donard Dwyer)
Dissertation: The Role of Neuronal Leak Channels in the Regulation of Movement
Current employment: Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University

Corie Robinson (PhD, Dr. Kenneth McMartin)
Dissertation: Analyzing the transport and kinetic mechanisms of diglycolic acid as the underlying cause of diethylene glycol toxicity
Current employment: Study Director of Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Covance Laboratories Inc.,

Annapoorna Sreedhar (PhD, Dr. Yunfeng Zhao)
Dissertation: Investigating the Mechanistic Role of UCP2 During Skin Tumorigenesis
Current employment: R&D Scientist, YUVA Biosciences

2017

Elliot Luttrell-Williams (MS, Dr. Kenneth McMartin)
Thesis: Evaluation of the Uptake and Transport of Oxalate Ion and Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate
Current employment: Research Assistant, NYU Langone

2016

Elyse Cornett (PhD, Dr. Nicholas Goeders)
Dissertation: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of 96-hour methamphetamine self-administration in male and female rats: creating, developing and characterizing a novel model of methamphetamine abuse Current Employment: Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, LSU Health Shreveport 

Kasey Jackson (PhD, Dr. Ronald Klein)
Dissertation: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis modeling and therapeutic development
Current employment: Scientist II at Astellas Innovation Management

Allyson Spence (PhD, Dr. Nicholas Goeders)
Dissertation: Polydrug Use: The Differential Effects of Alprazolam and Oxazepam on Methamphetamine- and Cocaine- Related Behaviors
Current employment: Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Regis University School of Pharmacy

2015

Jennifer Arnold (PhD, Dr. Michael Salvatore)
Dissertation: Effects of treadmill exercise on nigrostriatal dopamine regulation and aging-related bradykinesia
Current employment: Medical Writer, CMC Connect

Michelle Carroll-Turpin (PhD, Dr. Tammy Dugas)
Dissertation: 4,4’-Methylenedianiline as a novel, sex-specific model of pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats
Current employment: Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Houston College of Medicine

2014

Kendra Bonnett (MS, Dr. Donard Dwyer)
Dissertation: The Role of NALCN in the Regulation of Movement
Current employment: Manager, The Learning Center, Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, LA

Tanya Chotibut (PhD, Dr. Michael Salvatore)
Dissertation: Glutamate and Dopamine transporter modulation in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and Levodopa Induced Dyskinesia
Current employment: Senior Clinical Liaison, Shah Medcorp

2013

Greg Landry (PhD, Dr. Kenneth McMartin)
Dissertation: Cytotoxic effects of Diglycolic Acid, the nephrotoxic metabolite of diethylene glycol, and the mechanisms leading to proximal tubule cell dysfunction
Current employment: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Christopher Schmoutz (PhD, Dr. Nicholas Goeders)
Dissertation: The intersection of metyrapone, inhibitory neurosteroids and cocaine addiction
Current employment: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA

2012

Jim Kleinedler (PhD, Dr. Tammy Dugas)
Dissertation: Investigating polyphenols as novel therapeutics for drug eluting stints.
Current employment: Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Interventional Cardiology, Boston Scientific Corporation, Maple Grove, MN

Scott Pruett (PhD, Dr. Michael Salvatore)
Dissertation: Targeting the soluble GDNF family receptor alpha 1 in the substania nigra to reverse age-related bradykinesia
Current employment: Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama Birmingham

Delira Robbins (PhD, Dr. Yunfeng Zhao)
Dissertation: Modulation of Manganese Superoxide Dismustase (MnSOD): Effects on cell metabolism, proinflammatory and p53 signaling
Current employment: Licensing Assistant, University of Tennessee Research Foundation

2011

Vinita Batra (PhD, Dr. Lisa Schrott)
Dissertation: Mechanisms for the rewarding and pro-emetic properties of the opoid analgesic oxycodone
Current employment: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health Shreveport

Lauren Besenhofer (PhD, Dr. Kenneth McMartin)
Dissertation: Investigating and Preventing Renal Injury Resulting from Toxic Glycol Ingestion
Current employment: Senior Scientist, AbbVie Incorporated, Chicago, IL

Maria Garcia-Villarreal (MS, Dr. Nicholas Goeders)
Thesis: A Study of Hormone Fluctuations and Behavior under Chronic Methamphetamine Administration in Male and Female Wistar Rats
Last known employment: College of Arts and Sciences, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX

Christina Ledbetter (PhD, Dr. James Patterson)
Dissertation: Cognitive Function and the Human Cerebellum: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Working Memory Related Activity
Current employment: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health Shreveport

David Wang (PhD, Dr. Ronald Klein)
Dissertation: Studying relevant neuropathological processes in rats using a gene transfer approach
Current employment: Medical Science Liaison, Acadia Pharmaceuticals

2010

Alok Khandelwal (PhD, Dr. Tammy Dugas)
Dissertation: Role of estrogen receptor in modulating resveratrol-mediated inhibition of restenosis
Current employment: Assistant Professor - Research, Department of Otolaryngology, LSU Health Shreveport

Prasad Krishnan (PhD, Dr. Heather Kleiner-Hancock)
Dissertation: Anticarcinogenic effects of citrus auraptene against breast cancer
Current employment: Postdoctoral Fellow, Penn State University

Yan Li (PhD, Dr. Kenneth McMartin)
Dissertation: Strain Differences in Ethylene Glycol Induced Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation in Kidneys in F344 and Wistar Rats
Current employment: Resident Physician, Pathology, LSU Health Shreveport