Data Blitzes

Alexis Rubin (Robinson Lab)

Title: An Analysis of PKA Phosphorylation of Melanopsin in vivo

In the mammalian retina, dopaminergic amacrine cells make synaptic inputs onto melanopsin expressing retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that protein kinase A, a downstream component of the dopamine cascade, can phosphorylate melanopsin and attenuate its signaling in vitro. I am working to assess the impact of PKA phosphorylation on melanopsin mediated behaviors in vivo.

James Doffermyre (Lu Lab)

Title: Jasmonic Acid Pathway Reciprocal Signalling to Circadian Clock in Arabidopsis.

It is well established that the circadian clock of model plant Arabidopsis regulates components of the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway, especially when the plant is not under immediate stress/attack. New evidence suggests that there is reciprocation of that regulation. The question is; which component(s) of the JA pathway initiate or participate in this reciprocal regulation?

Ricky Patel (Cronin Lab)

Title: Are mantis shrimp using the sun as a compass to orient?

My previous work has demonstrated that the mantis shrimp, Neogonodactlyus oerstedii, use a navigational strategy called path integration to find their way to their homes after foraging. I will present some preliminary work indicating that N. oerstedii likely use the sun as a compass for orientation during path integration.

Yogita Jethmalani (Green Lab)

Title: Everything you wanted to know about yeast Set4 protein and were afraid to ask!

A look into the fun facts of yeast Set4 protein and all the wonderful things Set4 does!

Noah Reger (Vonhoff Lab)

Title: The role of APP-like in the development of Drosophila motor neurons

The Amyloid Precurosor Protein (APP) is most commonly associated with its role in the formation of Amyloid-β, a peptide that is thought to be a major factor leading to Alzheimer’s disease. While much work has focused on APP and disease, little work has been done to identify its endogenous role in the nervous system. We have found that flies lacking APP-like have developmental defects in motor neuron development and motor behavior.

Haya Algrain (Robinson Lab)

Title: Melanopsin Signaling Kinetics in Rod Monochromats

Melanopsin is a visual photopigment that is expressed in a subset of retinal ganglion cells in the retina and is involved in image and non-image forming visual functions. Previous in vivo work in our lab demonstrated the relationship between melanopsin deactivation kinetics and the pupil light reflex. I am studying melanopsin signaling kinetics in mammals with different photoreceptor architecture to better understand to how such mammals, and specifically their non-image forming visual functions, adapt to different light environments.

Alice Chou (Cronin Lab)

Title: A blitz of beautiful baby (mantis shrimp) brains

Mantis shrimps possess some of the most unique sensory and motor behaviors in the ocean. However, through their life history, as mantis shrimp proceed from larvae to adults, the sensory and motor abilities can vary greatly. Do their brains change with development? I try to answer these questions by looking at how their brains are structured.

Juan Valdez (Robinson Lab)