Research Faculty & Staff
Dr. Molly Deak, Staff Scientist
As a staff scientist, Dr. Molly Deak's primary role is to work with graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and faculty to develop new molecular protocols to advance their research. With a PhD in Molecular Biology, Dr. Deak shares a wide range of skills and her vast knowledge in molecular neuroscience to support the training environment, as well as data collection activities to support development of faculty and trainee grants. In addition to offering friendly guidance on immunoflourescence protocols, microscopy, and image analysis, Dr. Deak also oversees much of the shared equipment and other resources available in our state-of-the-art facility.
Dr. Elena Varlinskaya, Research Professor
Dr. Varlinskaya is a Research Professor who collaborates extensively with a multitude of investigators in the BNS area. With more than two decades of research experience in alcohol and behavioral development, she is a critical contributor to many of the ongoing research projects and works actively with faculty to develop graduate student theses and dissertations, providing invaluable feedback to shape their training and professional development as well. Dr. Varlinskaya is a key scientist in the DEARC (an alcohol research center situated at Binghamton University) as well as the NADIA consortium (a national network of scientists focused on the neurobiology of adolescent drinking).
Dr. Anny Gano, Research Scientist
Dr. Gano is an active research scientist who is affiliated with both the DEARC and the CDBN. Her research utilizes cellular, molecular, and pharmacological approaches to study the interaction between the neuroimmune system and addiction, and the complex way in which subject characteristics such as stress, sex, development, and environmental factors can influence this relationship. Dr. Gano collaborates extensively with the Deak lab and other DEARC investigators as she pursues independent funding for her ongoing research projects.
Dr. Stephen Day, Research Scientist
Dr. Day is a research scientist in the Savage lab and is affiliated with the DEARC and the NADIA consortium. His research focuses on identifying the mechanistic links by which alcohol misuse increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Day employs a variety of in vivo techniques and biochemical assays to understand how binge-like ethanol exposure interacts with developmental age and sex to promote Alzheimer’s-related pathology in distinct regions of the brain.
Dr. Polliana T. Nunes, Research Scientist
Dr. Nunes is a research scientist with a strong experience in cellular/molecular biology and biochemistry of the brain. Her research investigates how heavy adolescent alcohol abuse can altered the function and structure of the brain, and the behavioral consequences of alcohol-related brain damage. As part of the DEARC and CDBN centers, Dr. Nunes is a key scientist in Savage lab, demonstrating ability to take charge of projects, support a productive scientific team environment as well as collaborating with other DEARC investigators.
Dr. Andrew Vore, Research Scientist
Dr. Vore is an active research scientist who utilizes pharmacological, imaging, and cellular approaches to investigate the long-term consequences of alcohol use during adolescent development. He is particularly interested in how alcohol can change the function and morphology of the interface between brain glia and cerebral vasculature. Dr. Vore collaborates primarily with the Deak lab and other members of the DEARC as he pursues independent funding for his own research interests.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Kelcie Schatz, Postdoctoral Fellow
Degrees: BS in Psychology from Binghamton University; and PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from University of Buffalo.
Mentor: Dr. Diaz
Research interests: Role of the neuropeptide vasopressin in the behavioral development of male and female adolescent rats. Recent recipient of a F32 fellowship from NIAAA.
Email: kschatz@binghamton.edu
Dr. Hannah Burzynski, Postdoctoral Fellow
Degrees: Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Engineering), University at Buffalo ; and PhD in (Biomedical Sciences with Neuroscience concentration) from University of South Carolina.
Mentor: Dr. Terrance Deak
Research interests: Neuroimmune consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure.
Email: hburzynski@binghamton.edu
Dr. Paige Marsland, Postdoctoral Fellow
Degrees: B.S. in Psychology from University at Buffalo (SUNY), M.S. and Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Binghamton University.
Mentor: Dr. Florence Varodayan
Research interests: How early life insults, such as alcohol, contribute to lifelong and sex-specific dysregulation of the neuroimmune system.
Email: pmarsla1@binghamton.edu
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