Committee on Neurobiology
Ph.D. degrees awarded since 1982

 
 
Mazen Kheibek
Ph.D., 2008
Washington University
Advisor: Xiaoxi Zhuang
Adenylyl cyclase type 5 as an essential component of straitum-dependent learning
Michael Iacoviello Ph.D., 2008
Consultant
Campbell Alliance
Advisor: Daniel McGehee, Ph.D.
Cellular and synaptic modulation in brain reward areas following repeated in vivo nicotine administration
Robert Mitchum
Ph.D., 2008
Writer
Chicago Tribune
Advisor: Daniel McGehee, Ph.D.
Nicotinic modulation in mesoaccumbens dopamine system
Brian Rash
Ph.D., 2007
Flora Vaccarino
Yale University School of Medicine
Advisor:  Elizabeth Grove, Ph.D.
Patterning of the cerebral cortical domain in the mouse
Madelyn Baez
Ph.D., 2007
Rita Valentino's Lab
University of Pennsylvania
Advisor:  Peggy Mason, Ph.D.
Roles for ventromedial medullary cells during micturition and urine storage
Hilary Bierman
Ph.D. 2007
Eve Marder Lab
Brandeis University
Advisor:  Melina Hale, Ph.D.
The startle response of fishes:  An inter- and intra-species examination of neural control
Anitra Guillory
Ph.D. 2007
Antonello Bonci Lab
UCSF
Advisor:  Paul Vezina, Ph.D.
Cues specifically unpaired with amphetamine can inhibit the expression of sensitization to amphetamine
Ryan Mastro
Ph.D., 2006
Consultant
Campbell Alliance
Los Angeles, CA
Advisor:  William N. Green, Ph.D.
The association between the NMDAr and PSD95 and the role of protein palmitoylation
Heather Patel Walsh
Ph.D., 2006

Advisor:  William N. Green, Ph.D.
The role of the a-subunit in nicotine-induced upregulation of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
James Bowen
Ph.D., 2006
Licensing Officer
Center for Technology Transfer
Philadelphia, PA
Advisor:  Gopal Thinakaran, Ph.D.

P23 protein function and its role in APP family protein trafficking
Catherine A. Lowry
Ph.D., 2005
Postodoctoral Fellow
Department of Biology
Randolph-Macon College
Advisor:  Leslie Kay, Ph.D.
Context and chemistry as factors for innate odor responses
Okunola Jeyifous
Ph.D., 2005
Postdoctoral fellow
William Green Lab
Department of Psychiatry
University of Chicago
Advisor:  William N. Green, Ph.D.
A role for SAP97 in NMDA receptor sorting and trafficking
AmyCecilia Sanders
Ph.D., 2005
M.D., 2007
Resident
Department of Surgery
Jewish Barnes Hospital
Advisor:  Xiaoxi Zhuang, Ph.D.
The effects of serotonin transporter deletion or blockade on reward responding
Natalia Zhukovskaya
Ph.D., 2005
Postdoctoral fellow
Jeffrey L. Benovic Lab
Dept of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas Jefferson University
Advisor:  Wei-Jen Tang, Ph.D.
The catalytic mechanism and cellular functions of anthrax adenylyl cyclase toxin
Chad Grabner
Ph.D., 2005
Postdoctoral fellow
David Zenisek Lab
Yale University
School of Medicine
Advisor:  Aaron Fox, Ph.D.
The influence of adapter protein 3 on neurotransmitter secretion
Rose Mastracci
Ph.D., 2005
Manager
Genetech
Advisor:  James Mastrianni, M.D., Ph.D.
Proteolytic processing of the prion protein
Eric Norstrom
Ph.D., 2005
Postdoctoral fellow
Sam Sisodia Lab
NPP
University of Chicago
Advisor:  James Mastrianni, M.D., Ph.D.
Molecular determinants of prion conversion
Caitlin O. Aptowicz  Trasande
Ph.D., 2004
Emerging Technology
Nature Publishing Group
New York, NY
Advisor: Jan-Marino Ramirez, Ph.D. Homeostatic plasticity in hippocampal slice cultures
Thaddeus Brink Ph.D., 2004 Postdoctoral fellow
Donald Simone Lab
Diagnostic & Biological Sciences
School of Dentistry
University of Minnesota
Advisor: Peggy Mason, Ph.D. Raphe magnus and modulation of visceral inputs
Zara M. (Fettig) Fagen
Ph.D., 2004

Advisor: Daniel McGehee, Ph.D. Understanding drug abuse vulnerability:  Nicotinic receptors, stress hormones and synaptic plasticity
Malcolm W. Nason, Jr. Ph.D., 2004 Postdoctoral fellow
Lorna Role Lab
Neurobiology & Behavior
Columbia University
Advisor: Peggy Mason, Ph.D. Contributions of the ventromedial medulla to the homeostatic processes of thermoregulation and nociception
Stephen David Shea
Ph.D., 2004
Research associate
Richard Mooney Lab
Dept of Neurology
Duke University
Advisor: Daniel Margoliash, Ph.D. Basal forebrain control of sensorimotor activity
Jeffrey Alan Beeler
Ph.D., 2003
Postdoctoral fellow
Xiaoxi Zhuang Lab
University of Chicago
Advisor: Wei-Jen Tang, Ph.D. The role of the C1B region in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase:  Development and characterization of a soluble model C1B protein, 7C1B-S
John C. Christianson Ph.D., 2002 Postdoctoral Fellow
Ron Kopito Lab
Department of Biological Sciences
Stanford University
School of Medicine
Advisor: William N. Green, Ph.D. The role of ubiquitin-proteasome degradation in assembly and expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Jonathan Genzen
Ph.D., 2002
M.D., 2004
Resident
Yale University
Advisor: Daniel McGehee, Ph.D. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation of sensory transmission
Christian Wanamaker
Ph.D., 2002
Intern
University of Pittsburgh
Advisor:  William N. Green, Ph.D. ER resident chaperones and AChR subunit maturation
Steven Lieske
Ph.D., 2002
M.D., 2004
Resident
UCSF
Advisor: Jan-Marino Ramirez, Ph.D. Mechanisms underlying the production of multiple respiratory patterns by a single neural network in vitro
Chester Drum
Ph.D., 2001
M.D., 2003
Fellow
Cardiology
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Advisor: Wei-Jen Tang, Ph.D. Crystal structures of the adenylyl cyclase exotoxin from Bacillus Anthracis in complex with a calmodulin and alone reveal a large interaction surface, novel catalytic mechanism and large conformational changes
John D. Hunter
Ph.D., 2001
Senior Research Analyst
Tradelink, LLC
Chicago, IL
Advisor: John Milton, M.D., Ph.D. Control of synchrony in the Aplysia californica buccal ganglion
Timothy Sanders
Ph.D., 2000
Fellow
Department of Pediatrics
UCSF
Advisor: Clifton Ragsdale, Ph.D. Arcuate patterning as a central feature of ventral midbrain development during early embryogenesis
Lyle Fox
Ph.D., 2000

Advisor: Philip E. Lloyd, Ph.D. Intrinsic and extrinsic modulation of neuromuscular synapses in Aplysia californica
Alison Leston
Ph.D., 2001
M.D.
Physician
Neurology Associates, Inc.
St. Louis, MO
Advisor: William N. Green, Ph.D. Regions of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor involved in assembly
Robert Hurley
Ph.D., 1999
M.D., 2002
Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Advisor: Donna L. Hammond, Ph.D. Implications of persistent inflammatory pain for the actions of opioid analgesics
Susana Ugarte-Cuadros
Ph.D., 2000
Instructor, Human Anatomy & Physiology
Dept of Biology
Loyola University
Advisor: Donna L. Hammond, Ph.D. The role of GABA-a receptors containing the beta-3 subunit in pain modulation and their distribution on pain-modulating monoaminergic nuerons in vivo
Paolo Nucifora
Ph.D., 1999
M.D., 2001
Fellow
Dept of Radiology
University of Pennsylvania
Advisor: Aaron P. Fox, Ph.D The regulation of rapid endocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells
Jennifer Foss
Ph.D., 1999
Postdoctoral fellow
Affiliate Professor
Northwestern University
Advisor: John Milton, M.D., Ph.D. Control of multistability in neural feedback systems with delay
Matthew Krasowski
Ph.D., 1999
M.D., 2001
Assistant Professor
Pathology
University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine
Advisor: Neil Harrison, Ph.D. Molecular mechanisms of the general anesthetic propofol at GABA-A receptors
Jeffery Colombe
Ph.D., 1999

Advisor: Philip Ulinski, Ph.D. Timing mechanisms in the circuitry of turtle visual cortex
Jaime Mancilla
Ph.D., 1999
Postdoctoral research fellow
Dept of Otolaryngology
North Carolina University
Advisor: Philip Ulinski, Ph.D. The timing of inhibition in regularly spiking cells of turtle visual cortex
Ken Nakamura
Ph.D., 1999
M.D., 2001
Fellow
Dept of Neurology
UCSF
Advisor: Un Jung Kang, M.D. Intrinsic antioxidant and mitochondrial properties of dopaminergic neurons: Significance to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease
Arthur Simen Ph.D., 1999
M.D., 2001
Assistant Professor
Dept of Psychiatry
Yale University
Advisor: Richard J. Miller, Ph.D. Structural determinants of G-protein modulation of neuronal calcium channels
C. Chris Weihl
Ph.D., 1999
M.D., 2001
Instructor
Dept of Neurology
Washington University, St. Louis
Advisor: Raymond Roos, M.D. The role of mutant presenilin-1 in apoptosis and the pathogenesis of familial Alzheimer's disease
Timothy Belton
Ph.D., 1999

Advisor: Robert McCrea, Ph.D. The contribution of the cerebellar flocculus and ventral paraflocculus to gaze control during voluntary head movements
G. Richard Benzinger, III
Ph.D., 1998
M.D., 2000
Instructor
Dept  of Anesthesia
Washington University, St. Louis
Advisor: Dorothy Hanck, Ph.D. Binding and kinetic effects of sodium channel toxins from Anthopleura xanthogrammica
Anthony Caggiano
Ph.D., 1998
M.D., 2000
Department of Research & Development
Accorda Therapeutics, Inc.
Advisor: Richard P. Kraig, M.D., Ph.D. Eicosanoids, nitric oxide and microglial activation
Amir Fayyazuddin
Ph.D., 1998
Postdoctoral fellow
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Baylor College of Medicine
Advisor: Michael Dickinson, Ph.D. Mechanosensory control of firing phase in a synchronous flight muscle of the blowfly, Calliphora
Suma Jacob
Ph.D., 1998
M.D., 2001
Dept of Child Psychiatry
University of Illinois, Chicago
Advisor: Martha McClintock, Ph.D. Steroids as human chemosignals: How isolated putative pheromones affect behavior, physiology and brain metabolism
Cynthia Leung
Ph.D., 1998
MetroHealth Medical Center, Emergency Room
Advisor: Peggy Mason, Ph.D. A physiological characterization of pontomedullary raphe and reticular neurons in the unanesthetized, freely moving rat 
Jonathan E. Sherin
Ph.D., 1997
M.D., 1998
Assistant Professor in Residence
Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
David Geffen School of Medicine
UCLA
Advisor: Clifford B. Saper, M.D., Ph.D. Hypothalamic sleep mechanisms 
Chi-ju Chen-Huang
Ph.D., 1997
Research Associate Professor
Dept of Physiology
Northwestern University Medical School
Advisor: Robert McCrea, Ph.D. Neural mechanisms mediating adaptive modification of the vestibulo-ocular reflex as a function of viewing distance
Eva Ihle
Ph.D., 1997
M.D., 2000

Advisor: Doris Patneau, Ph.D.  The role of extracellular protons in regulating fast excitatory synaptic transmission through the modulation of AMPA-preferring glutamate receptors 
Christopher Lascola
Ph.D., 1997
M.D., 1998

Advisor: Richard Kraig, M.D., Ph.D. Morphology-dependent expression and cytoskeletal modulation of chloride channels in astrocytes
Jing-zi Shang
Ph.D., 1997
Physician
Northshore Clinical Associates
Erie, PA
Advisor: Meredithe Applebury, Ph.D. S-cone cells in the mouse retinal development
David Wren-Hardin Ph.D., 1997 Out of science
Advisor: Daniel Margoliash, Ph.D. Organization of the avian forebrain nucleus Hvc for spectral and temporal parameters of song
Daphne Holt
Ph.D., 1996
M.D., 1998
Associate Director & Faculty
First Episode & Early Psychosis
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Advisor: Clifford B. Saper, M.D., Ph.D. Chemoarchitecture of the human striatum
Chun Lim
Ph.D., 1996
M.D., 1998
Behavior Neurology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Advisor: Clifford B. Saper, M.D., Ph.D. The neuroanatomical connections of the human hippocampal formation: The dentae hilus
Gregg A. Phares
Ph.D., 1996


Advisor: Philip E. Lloyd, Ph.D. Characterization of two novel neuropeptides from the cerebral ganglia of Aplysia californica
Miriam Goodman 
Ph.D., 1995
Assistant Professor
Dept of Molecular & Cell Physiology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Advisor: Jonathan Art, Ph.D.  A functional analysis of potassium currents in turtle cochlear hair cells
Eugenia Jones
Ph.D., 1995
Associate Scientist
Cardiovascular Research Center
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Advisor: Graeme Bell, Ph.D. Characterization of sodium- and chloride-dependent neurotransmitter transporters in mammalian retina
Lisa Marubio Ph.D., 1995  Research Program Coordinator
Phase I Program
Division of Cancer Medicine
M.D. Anderson
Advisor: Richard J. Miller, Ph.D. Characterization of a novel subunit of a calcium channel
Peter Nelson Ph.D., 1996
M.D., 1998
Assistant Professor
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
University of Kentucky
Advisor: Clifford B. Saper, M.D., Ph.D. Animal models of Alzheimer's disease-type neurofibrillary pathology
Wade Pearson
Ph.D., 1995
Southern Louisiana University
Advisor:Philip E. Lloyd, Ph.D. Anatomical and physiological studies of pedal peptide, a putative neurotransmitter in the marine mollusk Aplysia
Teresa Steininger
Ph.D., 1995

Advisor: Bruce Wainer, M.D., Ph.D. Studies on the afferent connections of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in the rat
Jennifer Aparicio
Ph.D., 1993
Research associate
Program in Molecular Biology & Computational Biology
University of Southern California
Advisor: Meredithe Applebury, Ph.D. The outer rod segment guanylate cylase: Characterization of a key enzyme in the phototransduction pathway
Paul Church
Ph.D., 1993
Instructor
Fieldston Ethical Culture Preparatory School
Advisor: Philip E. Lloyd, Ph.D.  Functional analyses of cotransmission in Aplysia californica
Karen Hurley
Ph.D., 1993
University of Pennsylvania
Advisor: Clifford B. Saper, M.D., Ph.D.  The natriuretic peptides as neuromodulators in the central nervous system
Christopher Breder
Ph.D., 1992
M.D., 1994 
Vice President for Clinical Development
Suparnus Pharmaceutical Rockville, MD
Advisor: Clifford B. Saper, M.D., Ph.D.  Endogenous pyrogens in the mammalian central nervous system
Kathleen E. Cullen
Ph.D., 1991
Associate Professor
William Dawson Scholar
McGill University
Advisor: Robert McCrea, Ph.D.  Neural mechanisms mediating voluntary control of the vestibulo-ocular reflex
Ady Kendler Ph.D., 1990
M.D., 1992
Assistant Professor
Pathology & Lab Medicine
University of Cincinnati
Advisor: Glyn Dawson, Ph.D.  The effects of progressive hypoxia on the synthesis of the myelin lipid galactosylceramide in cultured oligodendrocytes 
Henry J. Lee Ph.D., 1990
M.D., 1993
Associate Director of Radiation Oncology
Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center
White Plains, NY
Advisor: Bruce Wainer, M.D., Ph.D.  Immortalization and characterization of septal and hippocampal cell lines derived from young adult mice 
Trevor Stitt
Ph.D., 1990
Scientist
Regeneron Pharmacuticals, Inc.
Advisor: Mark Gurney, Ph.D.  Neurite-promoting activity released by muscle: 
Studies on a laminin-related protein
Vincent P. Ferrera
Ph.D., 1989
Associate Professor
Center for Neurobiology & Behavior
Columbia University
Advisor: Hugh Wilson, Ph.D.  The perception of two-dimensional moving patterns
Kevin A. Phelan Ph.D., 1989 Global Leader
Worldwide Regulatory Affairs
Pfizer, Inc.
New York, NY
Advisor: Margaret Hollyday, Ph.D.  The development of the motoneuronal projection pattern in chick forelimbs devoid of muscle
Mary Kate Worden
Ph.D., 1989
Assistant Professor Research Neuroscience & Cell Biology
University of Virginia
Advisor: Michael O'Shea, Ph.D.  The physiological role of proctolin as a cotransmitter of an identified skeletal motoneuron in an insect 
Ann (Hallanger) Butterman
Ph.D., 1988
M.D., 1990

Advisor: Bruce Wainer, M.D., Ph.D.  Ascending subcortical projections of the cholinergic pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and the mesopontine tegmentum in the rat
Teresa M. Perney 
Ph.D., 1988
Schering Plough Corporation
Advisor: Richard J. Miller, Ph.D.  Substance P release, calcium homeostasis and phospholipid metabolism in dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro
Ellen M. Carpenter
Ph.D., 1988
Associate Professor-in Residence
Dept of Psychiatry/MRRC
UCLA School of Medicine
Advisor: Margaret Hollyday, Ph.D.  An analysis of the migration, location, and distribution of neural crest-derived Schwann cells in chick embryos
Steven H. DeVries
Ph.D., 1988
M.D., 1991
Assistant Professor
Depts of Ophthalmology & Phsyiology Northwestern Medical School
Advisor: Eric Schwartz, M.D.  Neurotransmitter and second messenger control of electrical synapses
Mark Lee
Ph.D., 1988
M.D., 1986
Allen Distinguised Chair & Professor Dept of Neurosurgery
Medical College of Georgia
Advisor: Mark Gurney, Ph.D.  Neuroleukin: Neurotrophic activity and functional interaction with human immunodeficiency virus
Paul Patton
Ph.D., 1988
Research Assistant Professor
Biology Dept
Bowling Green State University
Advisor: Paul Grobstein, Ph.D.  The role of the forebrain in visually mediated orienting behavior in the frog (Rana pipiens)
Brian R. Apatoff
Ph.D., 1987
M.D., 1984
Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center
Associate Professor
Cornell University Medical College
Advisor: Mark Gurney, Ph.D.  Trophic effects of neuroleukin on central neurons and antagonism by HIV envelope protein 
Cynthia Greiner
Ph.D., 1987

Advisor: Ewa Chelmicka-Schorr, M.D.  The development of neural crest cells expressing nerve growth factor receptors
Thomas Masino Ph.D., 1987
Advisor: Paul Grobstein, Ph.D.  The organization of tectofugal pathways underlying directed movement in the frog, Rana pipiens
David Ritacco
Ph.D., 1987
M.D., 1989
Assistant Professor
Attending MD
Northwestern University Medical School
Advisor: Hugh Wilson, Ph.D.  Visual discrimination of relative spatial phase and relative spatial position
David B. Rye
Ph.D., 1986
M.D., 1988
Associate Professor
Medical Director, Sleep Disorders Lab
Emory University
Advisor: Bruce Wainer, M.D., Ph.D.  The cytoarchitecture, cytochemistry and some connectivity of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in the rat
Josephine B. Cucchiaro
Ph.D., 1984
Novartis Pharmaceutical
Advisor: Ray Guillery, Ph.D.  The retinal origin and geniculate termination of the optic pathways in normal and albino ferrets: 
A developmental study
Christopher Walsh
Ph.D., 1983
M.D., 1985 
Chief, Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, BIDMC
Bullard Professor of Neurology
Director, Harvard-MIT MD-PhD Program
Advisor: Ray Guillery, Ph.D. The topography of development of retinal ganglion cells in relation to the organization of retinofungal axons
Douglas J. Gelb Ph.D., 1982
M.D., 1984
Clinical Professor
Dept of Neurology
University of Michigan Health System
Advisor: Hugh Wilson, Ph.D. A study of size perception in human vision