Meet the Faculty

How can we take advantage of brain neuroplasticity to prevent and treat disease?  Utilizes animal models and a combination of gene therapy, chemogenetics and neurochemical techniques to examine the role of neurocircuits and neurotransmitters responsible for Parkinson's disease. Our projects may provide a novel target for the reduction of Parkinsonian symptoms and side effects that occur as a result of neurodegeneration and chronic drug therapy.  

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Current graduate students:  Ashley Centner, Natalie Lipari, Carla Budrow, Grace McManus

Recruiting for Fall 2025?  Yes

How do stress and alcohol impact overall brain health across the lifespan?  Examines the impact of external threats (stress, alcohol), focusing on the interplay between neuroendocrine systems and neuroinflammation.  Our studies emphasize developmental vulnerabilities, including studies on how adolescent binge drinking (in rodent models), influence the progression of aging-associated changes in neuroinflammation, neurovascular integrity, and the development of Alzheimer's-related pathology.  

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Current graduate students:  Sarah Trapp, Ashley Lutzke, Daniella Geraci

Recruiting for Fall 2025?   Yes

How does the brain represent the world around us?  Studies neural coding in sensory systems, using the taste system as a model. We have two lines of research: First, through electrophysiological recordings in the brainstem of awake rats, we study temporal coding of taste stimuli. Second, we study the effects of obesity and dieting on the neural code for taste in the brainstem.  

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Current graduate students:  none

Recruiting for Fall 2025?  No

How does hippocampal neurovascular dysfunction contribute to age-related dementia? Focuses on understanding neurovascular mechanisms by which memory decline occurs in healthy aging that is accelerated during chronic hypertension and cerebrovascular disease. We use combined pressure myography, simultaneous imaging of blood flow and neuronal activity, electrophysiology and behavioral tests of learning and memory to determine how age, sex and cardiovascular disease impact the hippocampus to promote memory decline and dementia.

 I joined Binghamton University in January 2024. Visit my faculty profile and lab website, and follow me @AbbieCJohnson. 

Current graduate students:  Maeve Lawless

Recruiting for Fall 2025?  Yes

How does brain function and structure change following damage? Studies how the brain adapts following neurodegeneration, including alcohol-related brain damage, with an emphasis on learning and memory. Utilizing viral techniques to map and manipulate cell-specific circuits, we reveal how experience sculpts brain connections and function. Understanding neural reorganization after damage will help devise effective therapeutics to treat neurological diseases.  

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Current graduate students:  Matthew Fecik, Emily Kerr, Adeline Roy

Recruiting for Fall 2025?  No

How do CNS insults alter late brain maturation? Explores the interaction of molecular targets that play a role in CNS depressant activity.  We employ a variety of cellular and biochemical approaches coupled to animal models and behavior. Our goal is to gain insight as to why adolescent exposure is a major contributor to substance use disorders.  

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Current graduate students:  Peter Penta, Kevin Stip Delgado

Recruiting for Fall 2025?  Yes