Education:
B.S. Biology, Mars Hill University, 1995
PhD Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University,
2008
MPH Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee
State University, 2015
Research/Teaching Interests:
The focus of my laboratory research is to identify molecular markers and neuropathological changes using postmortem human brain tissue in donors affected with psychiatric disorders when compared to undiagnosed brain donors. My primary interest is to determine if a unique cell-specific pathology is associated with autism, depression and suicide. In addition to human studies, my research has expanded to include the use of animals to determine if the human findings can be recapitulated in animal models that demonstrate behaviors that are associated with these disorders. These studies are vital in determining future translational studies that improve therapies or identify preventative measures in autism and depression.
My overarching goal for teaching in courses in the Biomedical Sciences Department is to facilitate the application of learned skills and concepts in human anatomy, scientific communication and neuroscience that will forever aid students in their chosen pathway in healthcare. My aims for supporting the stated teaching goal are to 1) continually evaluate rehabilitative, medical and graduate educational strategies and technology, 2) reach out to students for feedback and 3) establish avenues to incorporate clinical applications and research findings routinely.
Active Research/Funding:
NIH MH119628 “Neuroinflammatory mediators of glutamatergic & GABAergic neuropathology in the anterior cingulate cortex of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)”
NIH MH 114161 “Oxidative damage and base excision repair in white matter oligodendrocytes in major depressive disorder” ETSU funding