Embedded Files
Congratulations to POSTER presenters!
Congratulations to POSTER presenters!
Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
International Anesthesia Research Society Annual Meeting
GRC: Consciousness, Anesthesia & Evolutionary Biology
UW Anesthesiology Academic Evening
UW Undergraduate Research Symposium
Several overarching questions guide our research
Several overarching questions guide our research
- What is the emotional experience of emergence from general anesthesia?
- How does the experience of stress, or pain, modify behavior?
- What is the neurobiology of delirium across the lifespan?
- Importantly, how can we apply preclinical findings to improve patient experiences?
Current Projects
Current Projects
Whole brain activity mapping of general anesthesia and emergence
Whole brain activity mapping of general anesthesia and emergence
Role of neuroligin-2 in pain, stress and agitated behavior
Role of neuroligin-2 in pain, stress and agitated behavior
Neural circuit studies of emergence and sites of anesthetic action
Neural circuit studies of emergence and sites of anesthetic action
Applying wireless mechanoacoustic devices for peripheral physiologic recordings in mice
Applying wireless mechanoacoustic devices for peripheral physiologic recordings in mice
Collaboration with NeuroLux, Inc
Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Mitra Heshmati, MD, PhD
Mitra Heshmati, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine; Joint appointment in the Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine; Joint appointment in the Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics
Attending Anesthesiologist, University of Washington Medical Center-Montlake
Attending Anesthesiologist, University of Washington Medical Center-Montlake
I am a physician-scientist with a research background focused on nucleus accumbens neural circuitry and a clinical practice in Anesthesiology, bringing my preclinical research and clinical interests together to understand how anesthetics affect stress, pain, and arousal circuitry to modify behavior.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholars
Carlie Neiswanger, PhD
Carlie Neiswanger, PhD
I am a postdoctoral research fellow investigating opioid and analgesia circuitry. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Washington in the Chavkin Lab, where my research focused on biased signaling in the kappa opioid receptor system and leveraging it for the treatment of substance use disorder. Outside of research, I enjoy gaming and exploring the forests of the PNW.
Minke Nota, PhD
Minke Nota, PhD
NIGMS F32 Fellow
NIGMS F32 Fellow
I am a postdoctoral research fellow investigating the neural circuitry of anesthesia emergence and exercise. I obtained my PhD in the Nolan/O’Leary Lab at University College Cork, Ireland, where I researched the interactions between a cafeteria diet and exercise on peripheral state, and their effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neurogenesis-associated behaviours. Besides research, I enjoy traveling, hiking and bouldering, and love to quilt.
Carolyn Diaz, MD, PhD
Carolyn Diaz, MD, PhD
co-mentored by Dr. Ben Grannan
Carolyn is an anesthesiology Bonica research resident studying single unit neural activity during general anesthesia emergence in humans.
Carlee Toddes, PhD
Carlee Toddes, PhD
Primary appointment in the Golden Laboratory
I am a postdoctoral research fellow specializing in the study of neural dynamics underlying pain-modulated social behavior. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, where I conducted research in the Rothwell Lab investigating opioidergic mechanisms that underlie social affiliative behaviors. Beyond my laboratory work, I am deeply committed to promoting positive change in the scientific community through active involvement in science policy and advocacy.
Research Staff
Research Staff
Ava Pishgar
Ava Pishgar
Research Technologist
Research Technologist
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Gautham Ayer
Gautham Ayer
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington planning to study public health and neuroscience. In the future, I aspire to be a physician-scientist. Outside of the lab, I am a violinist and enjoy biking and spending time with friends
Ashley Chavez-Munguia
Ashley Chavez-Munguia
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Public Health-Global Health. I hope to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist. Outside of lab, I enjoy doing hot pilates, going on drives with friends, and discovering new coffee shops.
Johnny Ngo
Johnny Ngo
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student studying neuroscience at the University of Washington Seattle with a minor in music. I am interested in pursuing a career in the medical field while being able to continue working in research. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing basketball, cooking, and playing and listening to music.
I am an undergraduate student studying neuroscience at the University of Washington Seattle with a minor in music. I am interested in pursuing a career in the medical field while being able to continue working in research. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing basketball, cooking, and playing and listening to music.
Arina Pastukhova
Arina Pastukhova
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington intending on studying Neuroscience and Psychology. After getting my bachelor’s degree, I aim to go to medical school with the ultimate goal of becoming a psychiatrist. Outside of lab, I enjoy acrylic painting, calisthenics, and spending time in nature.
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington intending on studying Neuroscience and Psychology. After getting my bachelor’s degree, I aim to go to medical school with the ultimate goal of becoming a psychiatrist. Outside of lab, I enjoy acrylic painting, calisthenics, and spending time in nature.
Nick Ressler
Nick Ressler
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
Primary appointment in the Golden Laboratory
I am currently an undergraduate student studying neuroscience at the University of Washington. After graduation, I hope to attend graduate school and continue work in research, with interests in cognition, behavior, and computer science. Outside of academics, I play the drums and love Seattle's music and hiking scenes!
I am currently an undergraduate student studying neuroscience at the University of Washington. After graduation, I hope to attend graduate school and continue work in research, with interests in cognition, behavior, and computer science. Outside of academics, I play the drums and love Seattle's music and hiking scenes!
Mahati Sreedhara
Mahati Sreedhara
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
I am currently an undergraduate student planning to study neuroscience at the University of Washington. In the future, I hope to attend medical school, with the ultimate goal of becoming a neurologist.
I am currently an undergraduate student planning to study neuroscience at the University of Washington. In the future, I hope to attend medical school, with the ultimate goal of becoming a neurologist.
Jason Zhang
Jason Zhang
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
I am currently majoring in Biochemistry along with two additional minors. I hope to pursue a career in medicine specializing in anesthesiology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and family as well as learning niche skills.
I am currently majoring in Biochemistry along with two additional minors. I hope to pursue a career in medicine specializing in anesthesiology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and family as well as learning niche skills.
Lab Alumni
Lab Alumni
Research Scientists
Research Scientists
Alexandria Murry, 2021-23
Alexandria Murry, 2021-23
Rachael Hansen, 2023-24
Rachael Hansen, 2023-24
Ainsley Barrow, 2023-24
Ainsley Barrow, 2023-24
Ian Campuzano, 2024-25
Ian Campuzano, 2024-25
Hallie Lazaro, 2024-25
Hallie Lazaro, 2024-25
Kevin Schneider, PhD, 2023-26
Kevin Schneider, PhD, 2023-26
Undergraduate Researchers
Undergraduate Researchers
Natalie Hoffman, 2021-22
Natalie Hoffman, 2021-22
Aasiya Islam, 2021-22
Aasiya Islam, 2021-22
Kayla Pitts, 2020-22
Kayla Pitts, 2020-22
Silvana Segura, 2023-24
Silvana Segura, 2023-24
Pranav Anumolu, 2024-25
Pranav Anumolu, 2024-25
Riley Keeler, 2023-25
Riley Keeler, 2023-25
Jaidyn Gaur, 2023-25
Jaidyn Gaur, 2023-25
Cole Shin, 2021-25
Cole Shin, 2021-25
Ella Apley, 2021-25
Ella Apley, 2021-25
Would you like to join the lab? Email mhesh@uw.edu with your CV, research experience and interests.
Please note that we do not have the capacity to accept high school students outside of a structured UW program.
Come visit us in the Health Sciences Building of the University of Washington Medical Center!
Funding & Support
Funding & Support
FAER Mentored Research Training Grant, 2021-2022
R35/Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, 2022-2027
(Heshmati, Principal Investigator)
R43/Small Business Innovation Research grant phase 1, 2022-2023
Small Business Innovation Research grant phase 2, 2024-2026
(Heshmati, Subaward Co-Investigator;
collaboration with NeuroLux, Inc, and Golden lab)
Page updated
Report abuse