Learning and memory--brain systems and plasticity mechanisms
Early life plasticity--critical and sensitive periods
Grant Awards
NIH/NIMH (NRSA), 2002-2005
NIH/NIMH (R21), 2009-2011
NIH/NIMH (1 R01), 2008-2013 (co-PI)
Clinical Interests
Neurobiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and its prevention and treatment
Schizophrenia
Research Interests
Neurobiology of learning and memory with focus on emotional learning and memory
Brain systems interaction during emotional learning and alterations during pathological
states, such as lasting elevated fear and anxiety in a rat model of PTSD
Altered molecular mechanisms in Schizophrenia: animal models involving calcyon and
neuregulin (and its receptor ErbB4)
Recognition
Summa Cum Laude, University of California Irvine, 1995
Excellence in Research, University of California Irvine, 1995
Ralph W. Gerard Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research, University of California
Irvine, 1995
Irvine Regent's Fellowship, 1995-2000
University of California Tuition Fellowship, 1996
J. L. McGaugh Award for Excellence in Graduate Research, University of California
Irvine, 1999
Schneiderman Fellowship for Excellence in Graduate Research, 1999
University of California Regents' Dissertation Fellowship, 2000
Training
Postdoctoral Fellow (Neurobiology of Learning and Memory) Neural Systems of Memory
and Aging, University of Arizona, 2000-2005
PhD., (Neurobiology of Emotional Learning and Memory), University of California Irvine,
Advisor: Dr. James L. McGaugh, 1995-2000
B.S. (Summa Cum Laude), University of California Irvine, 2000