My lab studies how life experience influences development, cognition and learning. Many of our experiments use the zebra finch (a small songbird native to Australia and New Zealand) as a model organism. We apply a mixture of molecular, biochemical, and genomic methods to understand mechanisms of healthy brain function and disease. Current projects include understanding how prenatal signals from parents can reprogram the development of their incubating offspring.

Originally from New Delhi, India, I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S. in Biology (2019) and an M.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology (2020). I completed a rotation and joined Dr. Julia George’s lab in May 2021. My research interests include (1) understanding the neurogenomics of learning and memory in songbirds like zebra finches, and (2) investigating neurodevelopment of songbirds when exposed to vocal signals called “heat calls” under high temperatures. Outside of science, I enjoy watching and playing soccer (Come on You Spurs!), podcasting (check out "Breaking Silos" using the above link), bird watching and doing outreach with my local church.

I was born and raised in Upstate South Carolina. I received my undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Lander University (2016) in Greenwood, SC. After graduating with my Bachelor, I took some time off where I worked full-time in the main laboratory as a phlebotomist/lab assistant in downtown Greenville, SC at a hospital. Currently, I am working on a research project where I am using gene sequencing techniques to determine how prenatal communication through different "heat calls" can alter the development of learning and memory in Zebra Finch offspring. Outside the lab, I spend my free time helping at my church, spending time with friends and family, binge-watching Netflix and Hulu, listening to music, and shopping (mostly window-shopping).  My favorite songs by two afro-beats artists are: 

• Ku lo sa by Oxlade 

•  Enjoy by Tekno  

When I hear these songs I have no choice but to let go of all my stress and dance.... these songs make me very happy.

Graduate Student

Jordan Hall 321 (Lab) 

LinkedIn  email  

I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I completed my undergraduate degree in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology & Ecology with minors in music and education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Starting in my time in undergrad, I had a very diverse career by working for King's Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati, OH, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fl, and the Toledo Zoo in Toledo, OH. I completed three internships with the Walt Disney company over the years, with the highlight being a professional internship with Disney's Animal Kingdom as a Conservation Education Presenter. After a few years, I went back to BGSU for a Master's degree in Neuroscience focused on animal behavior with Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) sound research and completed this in 2023. I continued working at the Toledo Zoo in education and outreach for a total of  seven years throughout both degrees at BGSU (2015-2023).  Currently, I am studying how the heat call in zebra finches impacts mitochondrial efficiency and markers of inflammation in heart tissue. I have also utilized my sound research skills by helping design our playback experiment set up. Besides my current research, I am involved in volunteering at the Greenville Zoo, Easily Community Band (on trombone), and St. Andrew's Choir. (Picture from Atlanta Zoo)

Undergraduate Researcher

LinkedIn 

Hello! I am originally from Akron, Ohio but I currently live in Mount Pleasant, SC. I am a senior Genetics major with a minor in Psychology. I currently study how zebra finch heat calls affect gene expression in the brains of zebra finch embryos, particularly in NR3C1, the glucocorticoid receptor. 

 I love music, weightlifting, reading, and spending time with my family and friends!

Undergraduate Researcher

My name is Shannon Liedl, and I am a sophomore biological sciences major on a pre-med track. I am looking to attend medical school after graduation and specialize  reconstructive plastic surgery. I am interested in understanding the effects of heat call on gene expression in areas of the brain and heart. Additionally, I am analyzing zebra finch behavior through a series of observations using markov-chains. 

Outside of the lab I enjoy going to the beach, being physically active, and reading.  I love listening to music, and my current two favorite artists are SZA and Zack Bryan.

Undergraduate Researcher

I am originally from Charleston, SC, and I am a junior studying to receive my Bachelor of Science in Genetics, with minors in Biochemistry and Psychology. I am interested in understanding  the effects of outside stimuli on  the genome of zebra finch embryos, and I am also specifically interested in the bioinformatic processes used for analyzing genomic data.

Outside of school, I enjoy painting, thrifting, and doing outreach with FCA and my local church.

Undergraduate Researcher

My name is Jolie Guinn, and I am a senior biological sciences major and psychology minor from Nashville, TN. I am currently taking human physiology and a few forensic classes. I am interested in sequencing the genome of the parental zebra finch to determine how the genome of the offspring may differ with the introduction of "heat calls". 

My favorite musical experience was when I saw Train perform for the first time in 2011. Because of this experience my all-time favorite song is "Drops of Jupiter".

Undergraduate Researcher

Following graduation in May with a Bachelors of Science, Majoring is Biological Sciences and Minoring in Chemistry, I am seeking a combined MD/Phd following graduation. At as physician scientist I plan to focus on topics that can be applied towards a personalized medicine approach for the treatment of diseases, influenced by an individuals genetics and pathogenicity. Outside of the lab I enjoy cooking, running, and supporting the Baltimore Orioles.

Undergraduate Researcher

Plans to work at Medical University of South Carolina, while preparing for medical school.