2025-2026 KY INBRE Grant Recipients
Click images below to learn more about the recipients. We will be adding more spotlights. Please keep checking back. Page updated Oct 24, 2025.
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NOTE: Our Research Project and Pilot Project awards have a REQUIRED Letter of Intent due Dec 1!
Alexey Arkov, MuSU.
Christine Curran, NKU
Rafael Demarco, UofL
Jakub Famulski, UK.
Gregory Frolenkov, UK
Beth Guiton, UK
Chase Hellmer, UofL
Brittany Rife Magalis, UofL
Ajay Srivastava, WKU
Erin Strome, NKU
Silvia Uriarte, UofL
Kevin Wang, UPIKE
Wang-Xia Wang, UK
Dena Weinberger, MuSU
John Wise, Jr., UofL
Les Keniston, UPIKE.
Mary Kroestz, Bellarmine U
Catie Shelton, NKU
Jakob Anderson, MoSU
Katelyn Jones, EKU
Bradley Krisanits, MoSU.
Gigi Petery, WKU
Amy Brausch, WKU
Christine Curran, NKU
Michael Guy, NKU
Janelle Hare, MoSU
Christopher Lennon, MuSU
Brittany Smith, NKU (Anna Makela)
Erin Strome, NKU
Justin Yates, NKU
Alexey Arkov, MuSU.
Katrina Burch, WKU
Daniel Scott, Centre
Qingfang Song, WKU
Dena Weinberger, MuSU
Matthew Woodward, WKU
Gary ZeRuth, MuSU
Sujin Bao, UPIKE
Smita Joshi, EKU
Hillary Katz, WKU
Patrick Ledwidge, WKU
Joseph Marquardt, WKU
Jason Stewart, WKU
Kevin Wang, UPIKE
Genevieve Bell, Centre.
Snehasis Bhakta, WKU
Matthew Lazenka, UPIKE
Oma Morgan, UPIKE
Michael Smith, WKU
Ajay Srivastava, WKU
Alejandro Ramirez (awarded to Jenni Teeters), WKU
Zhihong Xu, UPIKE
Supplement
Cheri Levinson, UofL
Christina Ralph-Nearman, UofL
Alexey Arkov
Institution: Murray State University
Department: Biological Sciences
Rank: Professor
KY INBRE Awards: PPA and Voucher
Project Titles:
PPA: “Novel insights from a divergent form of germ plasm”
Voucher: “Utilizing TEM, SBF-SEM and FIB-SEM for structural analysis of membraneless organelles in Drosophila germ plasm”
About the projects:
PPA: The goal of this study is to characterize large RNA-protein organelle, the oosome, in the wasp Nasonia embryos and its role in germline development
Voucher: This project aims at utilizing University of Louisville Micro/Nano Technology Center (MNTC) to generate 3D volume data of RNA-protein granules assembled at posterior pole of early Drosophila embryos at electron microscopy (EM) resolution using different methods including serial block-face scanning EM (SBF-SEM) and focused ion beam-scanning EM (FIB-SEM). Also, transmission EM (TEM) will be used to characterize wild-type and abnormal granules.
Intended outcomes: This work supported by KY INBRE PPA and Voucher programs will enhance our understanding of molecular and structural mechanisms driving the assembly and function of large membraneless RNA-protein organelles during germline development in different organisms. We expect to demonstrate the roles of these structures in post-transcriptional gene regulation and cellular organization. In particular, conserved components of these organelles are hypothesized to form molecular hubs which enable a highly coordinated translational control of germline mRNAs required for developmental transitions. This work is expected to inform us on similar subcellular structures assembled in different cell types and on biological causes of human disorders including neurodegenerative diseases, infertility and cancer.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE support is absolutely essential for achieving all these goals, performing cutting-edge research and maintaining outstanding scientific environment. Also, this support is crucial for preparation of research data for publication and successful submission of competitive NIH grants.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy running, reading and discussing what I have read with my daughters. Also, I like playing my cello.
Sujin Bao
Institution: University of Pikeville
Department: Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rank: Professor
KY INBRE Award: RPA
Project Title: Transcriptional responses of noncoding RNAs to fear in mice
About the project: We use quantitative PCR to quantify the changes in expression of 33 noncoding RNA genes in the mouse brain following training in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Our current work aims to identify noncoding RNA genes of which expression changes after training.
Intended outcomes: We predict that 3-5 out of the 33 noncoding RNA genes will show significantly altered expression levels following training. These genes will be subject to loss-of-function studies in the next phase of investigations.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? Funding from KY INBRE will help us build a team and complete the first round of screening.
Outside of the classroom/lab: Mountains and water endlessly captivate me. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and swimming.
Genevieve Bell
Institution: Centre College
Department/Program: Neuroscience
Rank: Assistant Professor
KY INBRE Award: SDRA
Project Title: Unraveling aspartame induced anxiety: Insights from Drosophila Melanogaster
About the project: Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener introduced in 1981, has raised concerns about its potential to induce neurophysiological symptoms associated with anxiety. While the FDA considers aspartame safe within recommended limits, studies have shown that high doses of aspartame can induce anxiety-like behavior and alter neurotransmitter signaling in mice and influence mental stress and mood in humans. Drosophila offer a genetically tractable, cost-effective, and highly conserved system for studying the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral changes. This study seeks to determine whether similar anxiety-like phenotypes emerge in Drosophila following long-term exposure to aspartame and to investigate whether this artificial sweetener impacts anxiety-related genes in Drosophila brain tissue.
Intended outcomes: The overarching goal is to further establish Drosophila melanogaster as a viable model for studying anxiety-like behaviors and to investigate the role of dietary aspartame in the induction of such behaviors. By combining behavioral neuroscience and molecular genetics, this research intends uncover the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings of aspartame-induced anxiety-like behaviors.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE will support me in this goal by providing funding for supplies and an undergraduate research student to focus on collecting data specifically for this study during the 2025 - 2026 academic year.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy dancing and going on bourbon tours in my free time. You can typically find me outside reading a good book during the school year or traveling internationally in the summers.
Jakub Famulski
Institution: University of Kentucky
Department: Biology
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Award: Core Facility Voucher (TEM)
Project Title: Modeling prph2 associated blinding disease in zebrafish
About the project: We are employing electron microscopy to visualize the ultrastructure of photoreceptors in a zebrafish mutant line that harbors loss of function mutations in the gene peripherin2 (prph2). Mutations in this gene are known to be causative for human retinal degeneration, and our study aims to establish zebrafish as a new model to study prph2 associated retinal disease.
Intended outcomes: We predict that both rod and cone outer segments will have significant deficiencies in their ultra structure, particularly in cone cells.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? The voucher will help offset costs associated with materials, training and use of the electron microscopy core and instruments. We plan to sample numerous timepoints across early development and aging, so having the voucher will make it plausible to collect numerous samples and have the time/money to analye all of them.
Outside of the classroom/lab: For down time I enjoy spending time on home renovation projects, particularly tiling.
Les Keniston
Institution: University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Department: Biomedical Sciences
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Award: CURE
Project Title: Embracing Plant Biotechnology in Undergraduate Biotechnology Research at UPIKE
About the project: Our project brings plant biotechnology into the classroom and laboratory so that undergraduates in Central Appalachia can learn through hands-on discovery. Students from diverse backgrounds explore how genes work, practice modern biotechnology techniques, and see how these tools connect to real-world applications in medicine and biopharmaceuticals. The goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for graduate study, medical school, or careers in research and healthcare.
Intended outcomes: This project represents a unique blending of science, teaching, and community impact. By connecting biotechnology to medical education, we are helping students see new career pathways in healthcare, research, and biotech — while advancing UPIKE’s mission to serve the region.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE makes it possible for UPIKE students to do real research, not just classroom experiments. With this support, students present their discoveries at conferences, learn directly from scientists across Kentucky, and become part of a statewide mentoring network. Most importantly, KY INBRE transforms learning into discovery — giving students the tools and opportunities to take the next step in their academic and professional journeys.
Outside of the classroom/lab: Beyond research, I enjoy cooking, exploring the night sky, and playing video games.
From left to right: Principal Investigator Dr. Les Keniston, Technical Expert Dr. Kevin Wang, and Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Yomi Afolabi
Bradley Krisanits
Institution: Morehead State University
Department: Biology and Chemistry
Rank: Assistant Professor
KY INBRE Award: Faculty Recruitment Start-Up Awards
Project Title: The soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) as a combinational therapeutic with chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer
About the project: The soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant circulating protein, commonly induced by exercise. sRAGE will be evaluated in vitro, specifically its response to exercise at a molecular level and how exercise impacts gene/protein expression. Exercise-induced sRAGE will be used in vitro to assess the therapeutic potential and toxicity control of various chemotherapy agents used for triple-negative breast cancer. Understanding the exercise response to generate sRAGE and its impact on chemotherapeutic agents both treatment and toxicity open the door for future in vivo studies with the hopes to develop a combinational therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.
Intended outcomes: We look to understand the expression and molecular interactions of the soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) during chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer to determine the therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound to be administered during treatments directly or indirectly by pharmacological methods inducing expression like exercise, improving efficiency and controlling toxicity.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE will support me in this goal by helping me begin my laboratory work and giving me the opportunity to get on the lab bench with both students and other investigators. Allowing me to improve my skills as a writer and researcher in hopes to expand my funding and impactful work.
Outside of the classroom/lab: Enjoy spending time with my family and 2 dogs traveling through Kentucky and the USA and of course can never turn down a craft beer or a donut.
Mary Kroetz
Institution: Bellarmine University
Department: Biology
Rank: Assistant Professor
KY INBRE Award: CURE
Project Title: Embedding CUREs in the Life Sciences with Support from Peer Learning Facilitators
About the project: Students in the Genetics lab complete a semester-long project using CRISPR genome editing to generate, verify, and study a novel edit using the C. elegans model system.
Intended outcomes: All students majoring in biology, neuroscience, and biochemistry and molecular biology at Bellarmine participate in authentic research, generating new data that will lead to future publications.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE allows for me to employ former successful students to work as peer learning facilitators in the lab, which gives additional assistance to the current students carrying out their research. In addition, funds have supported purchasing additional equipment for the lab which is necessary for the research.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy cooking, hiking, and watching sports, especially Cubs baseball.
Matthew Lazenka
Institution: University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Department: Biomedical Sciences
Rank: Assistant Professor of Neuroanatomy
KY INBRE Award: SDRA
Project Title: Binding of Novel Endogenous Cannabinoid Enzyme Inhibitors in Bovine Eyes
About the project: This project seeks to develop new medications to treat glaucoma by targeting the endocannabinoid system.
Intended outcomes: It is expected that the novel drugs tested will be specific to endocannabinoid enzymes and no other serine hydrolases.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE is providing the funding opportunity to test the novel drugs.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy working outside.
Brittany Rife Magalis
Institution: University of Louisville
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Award: Core Facility Voucher
Project Title: Long-read sequencing to improve phylogenomic investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission
About the project: The short-term goal of this project is to capitalize on long-read sequencing capabilities to provide information on mutations within structurally diverse regions of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genome that are required for reliable molecular epidemiological analysis. Upon successful sequencing, the long-term goal of the Rife Magalis lab and collaborators is to establish a multidisciplinary genomic epidemiology sequencing and analysis framework for enhanced tracing of Mtb transmission cluster detection and risk inference in low- and high- TB incidence settings alike.
Intended outcomes: Using an already established sequencing protocol, we anticipate successful long-read sequencing of five hand-picked Mtb samples that lead to resolved placement of the new sequences within our phylogenetic tree as compared to previous short-read sequencing efforts. These results are, in turn, anticipated to increase insight into transmission patterns among the sampled patients.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? These preliminary data will help to convince our NIH reviewers that we can accomplish the long-term goal above with increased phylogenetic resolution.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I love learning new things - languages, games, home renovation techniques, you name it! I am also an avid traveler, with a passion for culture immersion.
Anna Makela
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Department: Psychological Sciences
Rank: Research Assistant
KY INBRE Award: MCDA (awarded to Dr. Brittany Smith)
Project Title: Executive function in opioid-exposed offspring and subsequent molecular signatures
About the project: This proposal will study prenatal opioid-induced executive function deficits and genome-wide transcriptional changes in the prefrontal cortex using a mouse model, and initial genome-wide molecular work in peripheral human samples.
Intended outcomes: Executive function testing will help understand whether prenatal opioid exposure itself causes executive function deficits frequently observed in clinical reports on exposed children, or if there are confounding exposures that may be playing a role. Molecular profiling will enable us to develop ideas for interventions to prevent or mitigate offspring consequences of prenatal opioid exposure.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? This award will assist in paying my salary, allowing me to further advance my scientific skillset in conducting this project, publishing our findings, and aide our lab in creating competitive grant applications using the data acquired for future work.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I love to spend time with my Great Dane Soren and engage in fiber arts such as handspinning yarn and hand/machine knitting.
Gretchen “Gigi” Petery
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Psychological Sciences
Rank: Assistant Professor
KY INBRE Award: Faculty Recruitment Start-Up Awards
Project Title: Promoting Productive Aging at Work: Protecting Health and Well-Being and Active Engagement of Workers as they Age
About the project: This project will apply theoretical grounded and empirically supported principles associated with health protection and promotion and work enrichment to manufacturing workplaces in Kentucky. We will work with organizations to assess their age friendliness, design and implement workplace interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of those interventions in enhancing work ability and productive aging.
Intended outcomes: The primary aim is to create work environments that foster healthy aging and sustain aging workers’ ability to stay involved and actively contribute to organizational needs. Moreover, the health and well-being benefits (e.g., protecting physical and cognitive functioning) of productive aging workplace initiatives can carry over into workers' retirement. We plan to publish our findings in peer-review and practitioner-focused journal and develop workshops and resources to support efforts to support productive aging improve the age friendliness of organizations.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? The KY INBRE start-up help establish our lab and fund student research assistance, as well as allowing us to collect data to validate the measures developed for this project. Through this, I will further advance my scientific skillset and provide valuable research experience to student scholars.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy traveling, practicing my culinary skills, reading sci-fi and fantasy, and knitting (especially lacework). You’ll usually find me hanging out with my husband and our six cats.
Alejandro Ramirez
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Psychological Sciences
Rank: Undergraduate (Junior)
KY INBRE Award: SDRA (awarded to Dr. Jenni Teeters)
Project Title: Understanding Risks of Intoxicating Hemp-Derived Products: Examining Use, Expectancies, and Driving Impairment among Young Adults
About the project: This project is intended to describe patterns of cannabis use among Kentuckian college students, with a particular focus on intoxicating hemp-derived products (Delta-8 THC, THCA, THCO, etc.) in comparison to traditional cannabis. The specific patterns we are evaluating include age of initiation of use, frequency of use, acquisition methods, adverse reactions, and impaired driving behaviors.
Intended outcomes: This is the first project to date to thoroughly examine use patterns of intoxicating hemp-derived products and traditional cannabis products among emerging adults. It is expected that we will find significant use of these products among young adults in Kentucky due to availability of the products within the state in comparison to traditional cannabis. We hope these findings will inform researchers and policymakers alike on the use of intoxicating hemp-derived products in the changing cannabis climate.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? The funding provided by the SDRA will be critical to every intended outcome of this project. These funds will be used to pay participants, increasing the number of participants and the validity of our findings. The funds are also supporting me as a researcher, allowing me to work in the lab during the semester.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy running, hiking, and gardening.
Daniel Scott
Institution: Centre College
Department: Chemistry
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Award: PPA
Project Title: Expanding HPV Detection: Point-of-Care Diagnostic Systems for Increased Accessibility
About the project: We are working to develop a low-cost, rapid test for the two highest risk HPV stains, 16 and 18. We are using engineered nanoparticles that are tailored to illicit a quantifiable signal in the presence of the HPV biomarkers.
Intended outcomes: We are working to confirm proof-of-concept for the detection system and then start to work towards a working prototype.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE has funded my student researchers and provided the supplies necessary to complete the work. Scientific research is obviously expensive, so the increased budget has allowed us to work on the project at the scale and level we need and would not have otherwise been able to. We have also been able to present our work at national meetings because of the KY INBRE funding.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I love to be outside. This is includes golfing, hiking, and traveling. I also have two wonderful children, a 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. They are active in sports and school so keep me running lots of different directions.
Michael Smith
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Biological Sciences
Rank: Professor
KY INBRE Award: SDRA
Project Title: The otoprotective role of melanin in the teleost inner ear
About the project: African Americans experience a lower prevalence in hearing loss than Caucasians, suggesting that melanin may play a protective role in the ear. We are testing this hypothesis by examining the auditory sensory hair cells in the ears of black and white koi fish following noise exposure.
Intended outcomes: We predict that black koi will exhibit less sensory hair cell loss than white ones. If this is the case, then understanding the molecular mechanism of melanin’s otoprotection may be useful in the development of therapeutics that may prevent hearing loss in humans. Another aim of the project is to engage an undergraduate student (Lily Newton) in faculty-mentored biomedical research and prepare her for medical school and a biomedical career.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? The Student Development Research Award will support a pre-medical student, Lily Newton, to work on the project, and provide funds for research animals and supplies.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy kayaking and fly fishing the local rivers in South-central Kentucky.
Ajay Srivastava
Institution: Western Kentucky University (Currently moved to Lamar University as Professor and Chair)
Department: Biological Science
Rank: Professor (Biology)
KY INBRE Award: SDRA and Voucher
Project Title: Characterization of the developmental role of a V-Type ATPASE in Drosophila melanogaster
About the project: The current proposal aims at elucidating the developmental role and regulation of a V-Type ATPase in Drosophila melanogaster. It also aims to recruit and develop an undergraduate honors thesis student who intends to enter a MD/PhD program upon completion of her undergraduate work.
Intended outcomes: Data from this project will form part of an honors thesis of my student, professional conference presentation by the student and has allowed me to recruit and train an excellent student.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? The SDRA grant has allowed me to support my Honors thesis with materials, salary and an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in my laboratory. The student intends to join an MD/PhD program in the future.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I like to travel, enjoy good food, play Tennis/Cricket and love to spend time with my friends and family.
Kevin Wang
Institution: University of Pikeville
Department: Math and Sciences Division
Rank: Professor (Molecular Biology)
KY INBRE Award: RPA
Project Title: Plant-Derived Recombinant Therapeutic Kallikrein for Disease Treatment
About the project: Our research leverages plant molecular farming and transient expression systems to develop an efficient, scalable, and economical method for producing biologically active KLK1, with the dual goals of advancing therapies for kidney, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases while fostering biopharmaceutical innovation and education in Eastern Kentucky.
Intended outcomes: We are developing a rapid, scalable, and economical plant-based system for producing biologically active KLK1, aiming to advance therapies for kidney, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases while fostering biotechnology innovation and education.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE support has provided essential funding, mentorship, and research resources that enable us to optimize plant-based KLK1 production, rigorously evaluate its therapeutic potential, and train undergraduates through hands-on biopharmaceutical research, while also supporting student presentations at the KY-INBRE annual conference and providing travel awards to Washington, DC — thereby advancing both scientific discovery and workforce development in Eastern Kentucky.
Dena Weinberger
Institution: Murray State University
Department: Biology
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Awards: PPA and Voucher
Project Title: Psychotropic compounds from wastewater contamination affect nervous system development
About the project: Wide ranges of drugs with overlapping neural targets contaminate our drinking water sources, and we hypothesize that this route of exposure affects gene expression in brain regions with functional consequences. By raising zebrafish in dosed water as a proxy for prenatal human exposure through contaminated drinking water, undergraduate-led projects will identify behaviors and genes that are sensitive to this type of sub-therapeutic, potentially synergistic, and chronic exposure.
Intended outcomes: By raising zebrafish in dosed water as a proxy for prenatal human exposure through contaminated drinking water, we will identify sensitive behaviors and genes that are expressed in developing neural tissues. We expect the differential expression of each of these genes individually to have minor effects on the organism, and that the summative changes in gene expression have complex and varied effects. As proof of concept, we expect to find overlapping consequences from loss of one of these dysregulated sequences. These strategies will broadly impact basic and translational biomedical research.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE funding helps progress on the larger project towards publications and generating pilot data to make my NIH grants more competitive
Outside of the classroom/lab: I spend time playing and being silly with my husband and three school age children, making art, building with Lego bricks, and baking.
Matthew Woodward
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Psychological Sciences
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Award: PPA
Project Title: Evaluation and Refinement of a Trauma-Informed and Peer Supported Mobile Brief Intervention for Young Adult Substance Users with Interpersonal Trauma
About the project: This project is a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a digital brief intervention that is augmented with peer support for trauma survivors with heavy substance use.
Intended outcomes: We aim to demonstrate the feasability, acceptability, and effectiveness of our intervention by providing trauma survivors with tools for improving emotion regulation and helping them making positive improvements over time with trained peer coaches from our lab . We hope to expand this intervention to other substance using and trauma exposed populations.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? KY INBRE funding has helped us develop and initially pilot the intervention with some promising initial results! This will support future NIH funding applications to expand this project.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enoy playing tennis, pickleball, and golf. I have a single digit handicap and am working towards becoming a scratch golfer.
Justin Yates
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Department: Psychological Science
Rank: Professor and Department Chair
KY INBRE Award: MCDA
Project Title: Contribution of BLA-mPFC pathway to risky choice and compulsive cocaine seeking
About the project: The present experiments use a chemogenetic approach to determine how inhibiting the pathway between the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) affects risky choice and measures of compulsive cocaine seeking in rats. Specific Aim 1 focuses on the effects of chemogenetic inhibition on an equivalent expected value (EEV) task, in which rats are allowed to choose between reinforcers that differ in magnitude and probability of delivery; however, the expected value of each reinforcer is identical. The EEV task allows one to measure risky choice in such a way that results are not confounded by other factors such as suboptimal decision making. Specific Aims 2 and 3 are designed to measure how chemogenetic inhibition affects continued cocaine seeking despite aversive outcomes (e.g., foot shock) (Specific Aim 2) and resurgence of cocaine seeking (Specific Aim 3).
Intended outcomes: The hypothesis is that chemogenetic inhibition of the BLA-mPFC pathway will decrease risky choice and compulsive cocaine seeking. Specifically, the goal of the MCDA is to prepare my postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Emily Allgire, for a career in academia. The research described above has also given numerous undergraduate students firsthand experience conducting behavioral neuroscience research. These students have been able to learn how to perform behavioral experiments and immunohistochemisty assays.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? The MCDA has enabled me to train Dr. Allgire, who already has experience performing chemogenetic experiments, to measure risk-based decision making and addictive-like behavior in rats. She has also been able to teach two courses during her time at NKU, providing valuable experience as she begins applying for academic positions at a primarily undergraduate institution.
Outside of the classroom/lab: Between balancing my research with my responsibilities as a department chair, personal time is hard to find. I enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons. We love going to the Cincinnati Zoo and the Children's Museum. I am also a fan of video games and try to play when I have some spare time.
Gary ZeRuth
Institution: Murray State University
Department: Biological Sciences
Rank: Associate Professor
KY INBRE Award: PPA
Project Title: Elucidating the mechanisms of Glis3-regulated development in the pancreas and kidney
About the project: Embryonic development is orchestrated through complex networks of genes that specify cell fates and choreograph the migration and reorganization of cells into tissues. Mutations within developmental genes can increase susceptibility to diseases later in life. Although mutations within the transcription factor, Gli-similar 3 (Glis3) locus have been implicated in the development of diseases including diabetes and cancer, little is known about the specific roles Glis3 plays during development.
Experiments will be conducted to characterize pancreatic and renal development in a mutant zebrafish line that lacks functional glis3 expression. Particular emphasis will be placed on characterizing the association between glis3, the mechano-sensory organelle known as the primary cilium, and downstream signaling pathways including Hedgehog and Wnt. Additionally, plans are described to gain a better understanding of the specific cell types that express glis3 during development and how loss of glis3 expression alters gene expression in the developing zebrafish by conducting scRNA-seq analysis.
Intended outcomes: Broadly, the completion of the studies outlined in this proposal will increase our understanding of how Glis3 specifies cell fates during development and may help shed light on how Glis3 mutations lead to diseases in humans such as diabetes mellitus and polycystic kidney disease. Furthermore, we hope to gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms that regulate pancreatic and renal development and a more thorough knowledge of the transcription factor networks that direct cell fates and tissue organization.
How will KY INBRE help accomplish these goals? Funding of the proposal was extremely helpful in allowing the PI to maintain research productivity during the period between the completion of an R15 (AREA) award and the review and award of a new R16 (SuRE) proposal.
Outside of the classroom/lab: I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, cooking a wide array of food with a particular passion for Southeast Asian and Mediterranean dishes, enjoying the outdoors with my dog, and trying new and delicious beers.
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