Thesis Advisor:
Dr. Hong-Yuan Chu
Research Interests:
Neuropharmacology; neurodegenerative diseases; cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s Disease.
Education:
George Mason University, B.S. Computer Science
Georgetown University, M.S. Pharmacology
About:
Thomas’ research in the Chu laboratory focuses on the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Although PD is classically described by its motor symptoms that result from the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), the majority of PD patients also experience cognitive symptoms that can profoundly impact quality of life yet remain largely unaddressed by therapeutics. Traditional dopamine replacement therapy often fails to improve (and can even paradoxically worsen) cognitive impairments, suggesting mechanisms beyond dopamine loss alone. Increased attention has turned to another brain region that degenerates early in PD — the locus coeruleus (LC) — the brain’s principal source of norepinephrine and a key modulator of attention, cognitive flexibility, and executive function. Using mouse models of SN and LC neurodegeneration, Thomas’ thesis work aims to isolate and study the contributions of each system’s neurodegeneration to cognitive flexibility impairments observed in PD.
Rotations:
Dr. Daniel Pak
Dr. Tinatin Brelidze
Dr. Hong-Yuan Chu
Academic Appointment(s)
- Secondary
- PhD Student, PhD Program in Pharmacology & Physiology