Skylar Marie Spangler

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Gerard Ahern

Research Interests: Neuropharmacology, sensory systems, electrophysiology, G-protein coupled receptors. I am very interested in research at the intersection of signal transduction and neuroscience: the physical environment–of a neuron or animal–can initiate signaling that affects perception and behavior.

I am interested in research at the intersection of signal transduction and neuroscience: the physical environment–of a neuron or animal–can initiate signaling that affects perception and behavior. Therefore, I am particularly fascinated by pharmacodynamics, especially in the brain. In addition, I am still interested in the molecular signaling pathways within the neurocircuitry of reward behaviors, particularly in substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. I also hope to be trained in electrophysiology experiments, complementing my previous experience.

Education:

University of Maryland: Baltimore Country, B.S. Biological Sciences, Psychology, 2012

Washington University in St. Louis, M.A. Biomedical Sciences, 2018

About:

Skylar Marie’s prior research was interdisciplinary. Her undergraduate research experience included social psychology experiments, mapping neuropeptide expression in an avian model, and constructing substrates to study the effects of topography on cell growth. In graduate school, she studied the cellular mechanisms of nociceptin opioid receptor (NOP) signal transduction and its role in motivated behaviors. Her research combined cellular/molecular, biochemical, behavioral, viral, genetic, and imaging approaches.

Skylar Marie’s current research focuses on the function andsignaling pathways of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels in smooth muscle cells. She currently uses biochemical, cell imaging, and electrophysiological approaches.

Rotations:

Dr. Gerard Ahern

Dr. Kathryn Sandberg

Dr. Tinatin Brelidze

Academic Appointment(s)

Primary
PhD Student, PhD Program in Pharmacology & Physiology
PhD Student, Ahern Lab