PDF version of the CV can be found here
Jennifer Lynn Fiedler Larimore
jllarimore@mac.com
http://www.ilovebrains.org
Co-Chair, Neuroscience and Philosophy Department
Associate Professor, Agnes Scott College
Tenured July 2018, tenure track faculty at Agnes Scott College from July 2012
Education
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
2008-2012
Post-Doctoral Training
FIRST fellow, an IRACDA program funded by the NIH focused on science pedagogy
Endosomal Trafficking in Neurodevelopment
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham Alabama
2003-2008
Doctorate of Philosophy, Department of Neurobiology
Dissertation: “The role of Centaurins in vesicle trafficking and in neuronal differentiation.”
Asbury University, Wilmore, Kentucky
1997-2001
Bachelor of Arts, Degree Major: Biochemistry
Overview
Research 2001 - present: Over 22 years of cellular and molecular research experience at Southern Research Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Emory University, and Agnes Scott College.
Publications and Talks 2008 - present: 1 book, 1 book chapter, 9 peer-reviewed publications with undergraduates, 12 peer-reviewed publications without undergraduates, and 14 invited talks.
Teaching 2009 - present: 25 courses taught at Agnes Scott College, including Introductory Biology, Cellular Neuroscience, Systems Neuroscience, Molecular Biology. Diseases of Nervous Systems, Developmental Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, with 3 different Curriculum-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) developed and over 90 CURE-generated posters presented.
Mentoring 2012 - present: 9 current lab members, 46 Undergraduates mentored; 26 have/are pursuing further degrees 18 of which are minority women, 16 are in STEM related careers 10 of which are minority women.
Funding 2012 - present: 4 grants received for personal research, 2 grants for student professional development.
Service 2012 - present: 6 campus committees, department chair, journal editor, faculty advisor, and grant review panel
Research Experience
Agnes Scott College, Department of Biology Decatur, Georgia
Associate Professor July 2018 - present
Assistant Professor July 2012 - July 2018
With the work of undergraduates in my lab, I am exploring the roles of endosomal trafficking in the dendrite and dendritic spine during neurodevelopment. Interestingly, several endosomal proteins have decreased protein levels in patients with Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Utilizing molecular neurobiology techniques, I have successfully trained undergraduates to address the research focuses of my lab.
Emory University, Department of Cell Biology Atlanta, Georgia
July 2012 - present
Adjunct Faculty, in collaboration with, Victor Faundez, M.D., Ph.D.
I am exploring the role of BLOC-1 and GABAergic signaling in the neurodevelopmental disorders, Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Emory University, Department of Cell Biology Atlanta, Georgia
August 2008-July 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow, Victor Faundez, M.D., Ph.D., mentor
I explored the role of two synaptic vesicle complexes, BLOC-1 and AP-3, in vesicle trafficking regulation from the neuronal cell body to the synapse. To do this we utilized fixed microscopy of coronal brain sections, primary cultures, and cell lines. We also prepared biochemical brain fractions to analyze protein levels by immunoblot.
UAB, Department of Neurobiology, Birmingham, Alabama
2004-2008
Dissertation Research, Anne Theibert, PhD, mentor
My dissertation project used molecular biology techniques with neurosecretory PC-12 cells, primary cultured neurons, and organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to investigate the role of Arf GAPs in post-Golgi trafficking and neuronal development and differentiation.
UAB, Department of Neurobiology, Birmingham, Alabama
2006-2008
Collaboration with Chris Chapleau, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, PhD, advisor
This project examined the effects of BDNF expression and trafficking in primary cultures expressing wild type or mutant MECP2, the gene associated with Rett syndrome.
UAB, Department of Neurobiology, Birmingham Alabama
2003-2004
Rotation Student, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, PhD, advisor
I used live-imaging techniques to study the effects of BDNF on synaptic vesicle release in primary culture hippocampal neurons.
Southern Research Institute, High Throughput Screening Lab, Birmingham, Alabama
2001-2003
Research Assistant IV in High Throughput Screening, Thomas Fletcher, PhD, director
I screened approximately 3 million compounds in validation and optimization of cell-based screens with the NCI Cancer Screening Program. I also developed renovations and cell-based screens for the Department of Defense contracts in the BSL-3 facility.
Research Mentoring
Current lab members. Summer 2024 - Spring 2025
Kylie Roach. Senior. Spring 2023 - present. SfN poster presentation November 2023.
Sophie Gregoretti. Senior. Summer 2024 - present.
Nadia Small. Senior. Summer 2024 - present.
Laila James. Senior. Summer 2024 - present.
Grace Phillips. Senior. Summer 2024 - present.
Rebecca Harshman. Junior. Spring 2024 - present.
Lil Grehner. Junior. Spring 2024 - present.
Anjali Kunnatha. Junior. Summer 2024- present
Fin Turner. Sophomore. Fall 2023 - present.
46 Alum Undergraduates mentored in Research at Agnes Scott College. Fall 2012 - present
Student Presentations
42 have presented a poster or given a scientific talk in their research
23 have presented a poster at a national conference
14 are contributing co-authors on peer-reviewed manuscripts
26 have/are pursuing further degrees
14 PhD students, 11 of which are minority women
2 of the PhD women of color earned K99R00 Training awards as DSPAN scholars with NIH.
1 of the PhD women of color was a Goldwater Scholar
4 Medical Doctor/ Dental School, 2 of which are minority women
6 Master’s Degrees, 5 of which are minority women
1 Law student
1 Nurse
16 are in STEM related careers
3 Science Educators, 2 of which are minority women
10 Engineer/Data analyst/Lab Tech/manager, 5 of which are minority women
3 NIH IRTA Trainees, 3 of which are minority women.
Name. Current career. Time in Lab. Outcome of research in lab.
Karima Johnson. Ph.D. in Chinese Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. Fall 2012 – Spring 2013. SpARC poster presentation.
Leila Ibrahim. Master’s in Public Health, Project manager at Brain Health Emory. Fall 2012 – Spring 2013. SpARC poster presentation.
Laurel (Alex) Ambrose. Medical Doctor. Fall 2012 – December 2013. SpARC poster presentation *published manuscript.
Jessica Resnack. Retail Management. Fall 2013 – May 2014
Olivia Bello. Science Teacher, New York City Schools. Spring 2014. SpARC oral presentation *published manuscript.
Pamela Guinn. Biology Teacher, St. Gabriel’s College, Thailand. Spring 2014. SpARC oral presentation
Jasmine Spraggins. Manager at Chick-fil-A. Spring 2014. SpARC oral presentation
Kaela Singleton. Completed a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Georgetown University current Post-Doc at Emory University. Fall 2013 – Summer 2014. SpARC oral presentation *published 2 manuscripts
Laura Segura. Completed a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at University of Illinois Chicago. Spring 2014 – Summer 2014. SpARC oral presentation
Katherine Binkowski. OD Medical student. Summer 2014-Fall 2015
Rebecca Cross. Secretary at a Medical Clinic. Spring 2014 – Spring 2015. SpARC oral presentation *published manuscript*Honor’s Thesis
Eli Whistant. Process Engineer at New WinCup Holdings. Spring 2015. SpARC oral presentation *published manuscript
Cecilia Graza. Manager at Doctor’s office. Spring 2015. SpARC oral presentation *published manuscript
Kathryn Laprade. Research Tech at Vermont School of Medicine. Spring 2015
Martha VoderBrugge. Ph.D. student in Psychology. Spring 2015. SpARC oral presentation *published manuscript
Nandi Ramirez. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and CEW of Noire Medical Women. Spring 2015. SpARC oral presentation
Andi Sweatman. Research Tech. Spring 2015. SpARC oral presentation *published manuscript
Miranda Arnold. Masters in Biomedical Sciences from Kennesaw State University. PhD in Neuroscience at UGA. Summer 2015 – Spring 2017. Society for Neuroscience, Poster (2015) and talk (2016) * published 2 manuscripts and Honor’s Thesis
Megan Do. Dental student at UCSF. Fall 2016
20.Tempist Harris. Fall 2016
Alveena Jacks. Ross University School of Medicine. Fall 2016 – Spring 2017. SpARC oral presentation
Karina Leung. Master’s Student in Environmental Studies at UNC. Sustainability worker at Agnes Scott College. Spring 2017 – Spring 2018. SpARC oral presentation
Anner Harris. Ph.D. student in Neuroscience at the University of Texas. Spring 2017 – Spring 2018. SpARC oral presentation
Hannah Rudolph. Ph.D. student in Neuroscience at Oregon Health and Sciences University. Spring 2015 – Spring 2017. SpARC oral presentation, Society for Neuroscience, Poster Presentations, Honor’s Thesis and *published 2 manuscripts
Roysheda Tarver. Masters in Applied Behavior, Board Certified. Fall 2017. Scotties with Nerves, Oral Presentation
Crystal Burgess. NIH IRTA program. Fall 2017 – Spring 2018. SpARC Oral Presentation and Scotties with Nerves, Oral Presentation and an Honor’s Thesis
Susan Cordero Romero. PhD program in clinical research at Clemson. Spring 2018 – Spring 2019. SpARC Oral Presentation, Scotties with Nerves, Oral Presentation, Society for Neuroscience, Poster Presentation and an Honor’s Thesis.
28.Sammi Hatcher. PhD in Neuroscience at University of Illinois Chicago. Summer 2019. Summer Symposium presentation
Jhodi Webster. Ph.D. student in Neuroscience at UAB. Summer 2018 – Spring 2020. GF-STEM Symposium, Society for Neuroscience, Poster 2018, Society for Neuroscience, Poster 2019, ABRCMS poster presentation 2019, and GURC presentation 2019
30.Alexia Crockett. Ph.D. student in Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina. Summer 2018. GF-STEM Symposium
Ruvimbo Dzvurumi. Post-Bacc research training program. Summer 2018 – Spring 2020. GF-STEM Symposium, Society for Neuroscience, Poster 2018, ABRCMS poster presentation 2019, GURC presentation 2019.
Lauren Neal. Goldwater Scholar. Ph.D. student in Neuroscience at Rockefeller University. Spring 2018 – Spring 2020. SpARC Oral Presentation, Society for Neuroscience, Poster 2018, Society for Neuroscience, Poster 2019, ABRCMS poster presentation 2019, GURC presentation 2019
Shekinah Phillips. Ph.D. student in Neuroscience at UAB. Fall 2018.
Rachel Thompson. Science Teacher with Teach for America. Summer 2019 – Fall 2019. Society for Neuroscience, Poster Presentation, ABRCMS poster presentation 2019
Alix Wagner (High School Student). Case Western for Undergraduate! Summer 2019.Summer Symposium presentation
Alex Lombardo. MD/PhD student at Vanderbilt. NIH IRTA training program for Fall 2021. Summer 2019 – Spring 2020. Summer symposium presentation, Society for Neuroscience Poster Presentation, GURC presentation 2019
Camryn Smith. PhD in Neuroscience at Vanderbilt, laboratory research position for Fall 2021 at Baylor College of Medicine. Fall 2019 - Spring 2020. Society for Neuroscience Poster 2019, GURC presentation 2019
38.Clare McDaniel. Applying to medical school. Fall 2021 – Spring 2022. Sparc presentation 2022
Anabel Braziel. Samford University Law School. Summer 2021 – Fall 2021. Sparc Presentation 2022
40.Xiomara De La Quinta. Applying to medical school. Fall 2021 – Spring 2022. Sparc presentation 2022
Kiki Favors-Gosh. Masters in Medical Sciences. Summer 2021 – Spring 2022. S-STEM student poster presentation Summer 2021
Alex Martin. Manager in Retail. Summer 2021 – December 2022. Sparc presentation 2022, SfN presentation November 2022
Milo Beauchamp. Spring 2020 - Spring 2023. S-STEM student poster presentation Summer 2020. *published manuscript, Sparc presentation 2022, SfN poster presentation November 2022
Yommi Tadesse. NIH IRTA program. Spring 2020 - Spring 2023. S-STEM student poster presentation Summer 2020, *published manuscript Sparc presentation 2022, SfN poster presentation November 2022
Rosie Hagel. Senior. Spring 2022 – present. SfN poster presentation November 2022 and November 2023.
Delano Bielamowicz. Senior. Spring 2022 – present. SfN poster presentation November 2023.
Publications
Book
J. Larimore. Neuroscience Basics: A guide to the Brain’s Involvement in Everyday Activities. Academic Press, 2017.
Book Chapter
R. Frank, K. Edwards, J. Larimore. Chapter 19: Yoga and Pilates as Methods of Symptom Management in Multiple Sclerosis in: Watson RR, Killgore WDS, eds., Nutrition and Lifestyle in Neurological Autoimmune Diseases: Multiple Sclerosis. San Diego: Academic Press, 2017. Pp 189-194
Manuscripts in Peer-Reviewed Journals with Undergraduate Authors
Susan Cordero Romero, Ruvimbo Dzvurumi, Alexia Crockett, Alexandra Lombardo, Jhodi Webster, Samantha Hatcher, Alix Wagner, Diana Ghebrezadik, Asiya Abawari, Camryn Smith, Lauren Neal, Yommi Tadesse, M. Beauchamp, Stacey B.B. Dutton and Jennifer L. Larimore. Endosomal trafficking is disrupted in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. J Brain Research. 2021 January.
Jennifer Larimore, Stephanie Zlatic, Miranda Arnold, Kaela Singleton, Rebecca Cross, Hannah Rudolph, Martha Vorder Bruegge, Andrea Sweatmen, Cecilia Garza, Eli Whisnant, Victor Faundez. Dysbindin Deficiency Modifies the Expression of GABA Neuron and Ion Permeation Transcripts in the Developing Hippocampus. Frontiers in Genetics, Neurogenomics. Volume 8:28. March 2017. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00028
Hannah Rudolph, Rebecca Cross, Laura Segura, Kaela Singleton, and Jennifer Larimore. Neuronal Endosomal Trafficking: One of the Common Molecular Pathways Disrupted in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia. J Neurol Psychol. 2016 Dec. Vol 4 Issue 2. December 2016.
Miranda Arnold, Kaela Singleton, Rebecca Cross, Christopher Chapleau, Ariana P. Mullin, Isaiah Rolle, Carlene Moore, Anne Theibert, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Victor Faundez, Jennifer Larimore* The Endosome Localized ARF-GAP AGAP1 Modulates Dendritic Spine Morphology Downstream of the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Factor Dysbindin. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 2016 Sep 22. 12:218. PMID 27713690.
Frank R and Larimore J. Yoga as a Method of Symptom Management in Multiple Sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurodegeneration, 30 April 2015 | http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00133.
Larimore J, Zlatic SA, Gokhale A, Tornieri K, Singleton KS, Mullin AP, Tang J, Talbot K, Faundez V. Mutations in the BLOC-1 Subunits Dysbindin and Muted Generate Divergent and Dosage-Dependent Phenotypes. J Biol Chem. 2014 Apr.
Olivia Bello, Kelsey Blair, Christopher Chapleau and Jennifer L. Larimore. Is memantine a potential therapeutic for Rett Syndrome? Frontiers in Neurosciene. December 2013.
Jennifer Larimore, Pearl V. Ryder, Kun-Yong Kim, L. Alex Ambrose, Christopher Chapleau, Gaston Calfa, Christina Gross, Gary Bassell, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Yoland Smith, Konrad Talbot, In-Hyun Park, Victor Faundez. MeCP2 Regulates the Synaptic Expression of a Dysbindin-BLOC-1 Network Component in Mouse Brain and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons. PLOS-1 Biology. Accepted April 2013.
Moore, C., Thacker, E., Larimore, J., Gaston, D., Underwood, A., Kearns, B., Patterson, S., Jackson, T., Chapleau, C., Pozzo-Miller, L., Theibert, A. 2007. The neuronal Arf GAP centaurin alpha-1 modulates dendritic differentiation. Journal of Cell Science 2007, 120:2683-2693.
Manuscripts in Peer-Reviewed Journals
Frank Y Lee, Jennifer Larimore, Victor Faundez, Esteban C Dell'Angelica, Cristina A Ghiani. Sex-dimorphic Effects of Biogenesis of Lysosome-Related Organelles complex-1 Deficiency on Mouse Perinatal Brain Development. J Neuroscience Research. 2020 May 20. doi: 10.1002/jnr.24620.
Gokhale A, Vrailas-Mortimer A, Larimore J, Comstra HS, Zlatic SA, Werner E, Manvich DF, Iuvone PM, Weinshenker D, Faundez V. Neuronal copper homeostasis susceptibility by genetic defects in dysbindin, a schizophrenia susceptibility factor. Hum Mol Genet. 2015 Oct 1;24(19):5512-23. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddv282. Epub 2015 Jul 21.
Gokhale A, Mullin AP, Zlatic SA, Easley CA, Merritt ME, Raj N, Larimore J, Gordon DE, Peden AA, Sanyal S, Faundez V. The N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor and dysbindin interact to modulate synaptic plasticity. J Neurosci. 2015 May 13;35(19):7643-53. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4724-14.2015.
Christopher A Chapleau, Jane Lane, Jennifer Larimore, Wei Li, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Alan K Percy. Recent progress in Rett syndrome and MECP2 dysfunction: assessment of potential treatment options. Future Neuro, Jan 2013, Vol. 8, No. 1.
Li W, Calfa G, Larimore J, Pozzo-Miller L. Activity-dependent BDNF release and TRPC signaling is impaired in hippocampal neurons of Mecp2 mutant mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Oct 16;109(42):17087-92.
Gokhale, A, Larimore, J. Mullin, A., So, L.; Moreno De Luca, A.; Lese-Martin, C.; Brodsky, F.; Lupashin, V., Smith, Y.; Victor Faundez. Quantitative Proteomes of a Schizophrenia Susceptibility Factor Identify Novel Roles of the Endosome-Localized BLOC-1 Complex. Journal of Neuroscience. March 2012.
Larimore, J. Tornieri, K., Ryder, P., Gokhale, A., Zlatic, S., Craige, B., Lee, J., Talbot, K., Pare, J., Smith, Y., Faundez, V. The Schizophrenia Susceptibility Factor Dysbindin and its Associated Complexes Target Membrane Cargoes to the Synapse. Molecular Biology of the Cell December 2011. * this manuscript was highlighted by the editors and was one of the 50 most read articles in October, pre-print, for MBOC.
Mullin AP*, Gokhale A*, Larimore J*, Faundez V. Cell Biology of the BLOC-1 Complex Subunit Dysbindin, a Schizophrenia Susceptibility Gene. Mol Neurobiol. 2011 Apr 26. These authors contributed equally.
Larimore, J., Chapleau, C., Schanen, C., Kudo, S., Theibert, A., Percy, A., and Pozzo-Miller, L. BDNF Overexpression in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons Prevents Dendritic Atrophy Caused by Rett-Associated MECP2 Mutations. Neurobiology of Disease 2009, (34) 199-211.
Chapleau, C., Larimore, J., Theibert, A., and Pozzo-Miller, L. Modulation of dendritic spine development and plasticity by BDNF and Vesicular Trafficking: Fundamental Roles in Neurodevelopmental Disorders associated with Mental Retardation and Autism. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 2009 Sep;1(3):185-96.
Chapleau, C., Calfa.G., Lane, M., Albertson, A., Larimore, J., Kudo, S., Armstro, D., Percy, A., Pozzo-Miller, L. Dendritic Spine Pathologies in Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons from Rett Syndrome Brain and after Expression of Rett-Associated MECP2 Mutations.Neurobiology of Disease 2009, (35) 219-233.
Chapleau, C. A., Carlo, M.E., Larimore, J. L. and Pozzo-Miller, L. The Actions of BDNF on Dendritic Spine Density and Morphology in Organotypic Slice Cultures Depend on the Presence of Serum in Culture Media. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 2008, 169 (1) 182-190.
Scientific Presentations
Scientific Talk at Georgia State University Neuroscience Institute
April 2024
“Subcellular trafficking in SHANK3B +/1 Mouse Model of Autism.”
Jennifer L. Larimore
2. Poster Presentation at the Atlanta-based Undergraduate Research Night, Scotties with Nerves
April 2024
“Ion Channels and Gut Microbiota in SHANK3B +/1 Mouse Model of Autism.”
Rosie Hagel, Delano Bielamowicz, Kylie Roach, Fin Turner, Erka Vargo Fiedler Rebecca Harshman, Lil Gehner, Kristen Gilbert, Ayanna Williams, Shaky’ra Blades, Sofia barrett, Laila James, Amani Singleton, Jennifer Kovacs, Stacey B.B. Dutton, Jennifer L. Larimore
3. Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting Washington D.C.
November 2023
“The Role of Endosomal Trafficking in Dendritic Spine Morphology and Synapse Formation in SHANK3B +/1 Mouse Model of Autism.”
Rosie Hagel, Delano Bielamowicz, Kylie Roach , Stacey B.B. Dutton, Jennifer L. Larimore
4. Scientific Talk at Winship Cancer Institute Seminar Series, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
June 2023
“Trippin’ Mice: How Mushrooms can be used to treat anxiety and memory in a mouse model of Autism”
5. Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting San Diego, CA
November 2022
“The Role of Cav1.2 in Anxiety Phenotypes in Neurodevelopmental Disorders”
Alex Martin, Milo Beauchamp, Yommi Tadesse, Roisin Hagel, Erika Vargo Fiedler, Stacey B.B. Dutton, Jennifer L. Larimore
6. Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
November 2022
“The Role of Astrocytes in E/I Expression Imbalance in Neurodevelopmental Disorders”
Yommi Tadesse, Milo Beauchamp, Roisin Hagel, Alex Martin, Erika Vargo Fiedler, Stacey B.B. Dutton, Jennifer L. Larimore
7. Scientific Talk at Atlanta Chapter for the Society for Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA
November 2022
“The role of Cav1.2 in Anxiety, memory and Epilepsy”
8. Poster Presentation at Scotties with Nerves, Atlanta, GA
April 2022
“Analyzing the Expression Levels of Nav1.1 in a Mouse Model. “
Xiomara De la Quintana, Kiki Favors-Gosha, Alex Martin, Clare McDaniel, Yommi Tadesse, and Jennifer Larimore, Ph.D
9. Scientific Talk at Samford University Department of Biology Seminar, Birmingham Alabama
January 2022
“Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression”
10. Scientific Talk at Winship Cancer Institute Seminar Series, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
June 2021
“Molecular Biology in Brain Development”
11. Scientific Talk at University of Georgia Neuroscience PhD program Seminar Series. UGA, zoom
May 2021
“Endosomal Trafficking in Neurodevelopment”
12. Scientific Talk at Scotties with Nerves, Atlanta GA
April 2020
Glia Characterization in BLOC-1 Deficiencies
Jhodi Webster, Camryn Smith, Milo Beauchamp and Jennifer Larimore
13.Scientific Talk at Scotties with Nerves, Atlanta GA
April 2019
Endosomal Proteins in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Ruvimbo Dzurumi, Susan Cordero Romero, Lauren Neal, Jhodi Webster and Jennifer Larimore
14.Poster Presentation at the Society for ABRCMS
Spring 2019
“Vesicle trafficking mechanisms in Bloc-1 deficiencies”
Ruvimbo Dzvurumi, Sami Hatcher, Alexandra Lombardo, Rachel Thompson, Alix Wagner, Susan Cordero Romero and Jennifer Larimore
15. Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting Chicago, IL
November 2019
“Vesicle trafficking mechanisms in Bloc-1 deficiencies”
Ruvimbo Dzvurumi, Sami Hatcher, Alexandra Lombardo, Rachel Thompson, Alix Wagner, Susan Cordero Romero and Jennifer Larimore
16. Poster Presentation at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference, Georgia
November 2019
“Vesicle trafficking mechanisms in Bloc-1 deficiencies”
Ruvimbo Dzvurumi, Sami Hatcher, Alexandra Lombardo, Rachel Thompson, Alix Wagner, Susan Cordero Romero and Jennifer Larimore
17. Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
November 2018
“Improper endosomal trafficking in Schizophrenia impacts cell morphology”
Susan Cordero Romero, Jhodi Webster, Alexia Crockett, Ruvimbo Dzvurumi and Jennifer Larimore
18. Scientific Talk at Scotties with Nerves, Atlanta GA
April 2018
“Neurotransmitter systems genetically identify similarities between Anorexia Nervosa and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Females”
Roysheda Tarver and Jennifer Larimore
19. Scientific Talk at Scotties with Nerves, Atlanta GA
April 2018
“The role of anti-psychotic medications on N2A cells with knock-down of the schizophrenia susceptibility factor, dysbindin.”
Karina Leung, Anner Harris, Susan Cordero Romero, Crystal Burgess, and Jennifer Larimore
20.Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
November 2017
“Dysbindin Deficiency Modifies the Expression of GABA Neuron and Ion Permeation Transcripts in the Developing Hippocampus”
Jennifer Larimore, Stephanie A. Zlatic, Miranda Arnold, Kaela S. Singleton, Rebecca Cross, Hannah Rudolph, Martha V. Bruegge, Andrea Sweetman, Cecilia Garza, Eli Whisnant and Victor Faundez
21. Scientific Talk at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
November 2016
“AGAP1 Regulates Endosomal Trafficking and Spine Morphology Downstream of the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Factor Dysbindin”
Miranda Arnold, Rebecca Cross, Kaela Singleton, Christopher Chapleau, Anne Theibert, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Victor Faundez, Jennifer Larimore
22.Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
November 2015
“Mutations in the BLOC-1 subunits dysbindin and muted generate divergent and dosage-dependent phenotypes.”
Miranda Arnold, Jennifer Larimore and Victor Faundez.
23. Scientific Talk at ACME lecture series, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
November 2013
“Where am I going and why am I here? What happens to learning and memory when messages in the brain aren’t delivered”
24. Poster Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
November 2013
“MeCP2 Regulates BLOC-1 Expression”
Jennifer Larimore, L. Alex Ambrose, Yoland Smith and Victor Faundez
25. Scientific Talk at International Rett Syndrome Webinar
October 2012
“From Mind to Molecules: the Neurobiology of Rett Syndrome.”
26. Scientific Talk at International Rett Syndrome World Congress, New Orleans, LA
June 2012
“From Mind to Molecules: the Neurobiology of Rett Syndrome.”
27. Scientific Talk at American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB) Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
December 2007
“The Arf GAP Centaurin γ-2 (AGAP1) modulates neuronal differentiation.”
Pedagogical Talks
1. Board of Visitor’s and Board of Trustee’s Presentation
April 2022
“Professional Success in Neuroscience”
2. Women’s Colleges, STEM and National Defense Conference
Spring 2022
“STEM at Women’s Colleges”
3. Faculty on the Road Webinar Series
October 2021
“Using the Classroom as a platform for post-undergraduate skill development success”
4. Board of Visitor’s Presentation
October 2019
“Using the Classroom as a platform for post-undergraduate skill development success”
5. ACME lecture series, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
October 2019
“Using the Classroom as a platform for post-undergraduate skill development and success”
6. WABE NPR Interview with Rose Scott
Spring 2019
“Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence at Women’s Colleges”
7. Board of Visitor’s Presentation
December 2017
“The Larimore Lab: How we are achieving Groundbreaking research at a small, liberal arts college”
Undergraduate Presentations Mentored from Curriculum-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURES)
2017 - 2018 - 10 CURE posters presented
Spring 2018, 5 posters of Molecular Biology at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2018, 5 posters of Molecular Biology at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
MeCP2 and Dysbindin role in VGLUT1 expression and Neurites Production in N2A Cells
Happy Le, Eileen Davila, Eleanor Pettit-Kruse, Garis Grant, and Jennifer Larimore
The role of MeCP2 and Dysbindin on AP-3 expression in N2A cells
Christin Coppin, Daija Dennis, Rachel Thompson, Jhodi Webster, and Jennifer Larimore-
Biogenesis of Lysosome-Related Organelles Complex-1 (BLOC-1) Regulation in Neuronal Differentiation, Providing Insight on Schizophrenia Pathogenesis
DeJa Cornelius, Tanya Pierre, Roysheda Tarver, and Jennifer Larimore
Expression of KCNQ2 in MeCP2 mutated cells and Dysbindin deficient cells
Cecilia Garza, Jasmine Berry, Fatima Garba, Resa Knott, and Jennifer Larimore
Reduced Expression of AP-3 Complex σ Subunit Found in Dysbindin Knockdown N2A Cells
Susan Cordero Romero, Anjiya Aswani, Alicia Meredith, Alina Vadsaria, and Jennifer Larimore
2018 - 2019 - 16 CURE posters presented
Fall 2018 - sabbatical
Spring 2019, 6 posters of Molecular Biology at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2019, 6 posters of Molecular Biology at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
How DysKD and Rett Mutations impact MAPK levels
Mahal Bugay, Alicia Bukowski, Maiquie Sabinano, Jasmine Torres, and Jennifer Larimore
Altered levels of LAMP1 expression in RTT model PC12 cells
Bailea Robinson, Savannah Vasquez, Cameron Wheeler, and Jennifer Larimore
HDAC Expression in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Nella Beardall, Katherine Hutchison, Jordan Reed, Jennifer Larimore
The role of Slc24a2 on calcium levels and its affect on Rett Syndrome and Schizophrenia
Hannah Culbreath, Zoie Wiltz, Jennifer Larimore
Effects of MeCP2 Mutations and Dysbindin Knockdown on FXYD1 Gene Expression
Islam Farhan, Alexandra Lombardo, Charlotte Ward, Jennifer Larimore
Exploring Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rett Syndrome and Schizophrenia
Alexia Crockett, Lauren Neal, Anny Zhou, Jennifer Larimore
Spring 2019, 2 posters, Systems Neuroscience, at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2019, 2 posters, Systems Neuroscience, at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
Effect of Ethanol administration in male and female mice exhibited in depressive and anxiety-like behaviors
Alexia, Crockett, Laura Millan, Alexandria Moses, Camryn Smith, Rachel Thompson, Cindy Aguilera, Lisette Soto, and Jennifer Larimore
Effect of Chronic Ethanol Administration on Exhibited Depressive and Anxious Behaviors in Female Mice
Samantha Hatcher, Briana Tolman, Jennifer Larimore
2019 - 2020 - 10 CURE posters presented
Fall 2019, 3 posters, Cellular Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 1, STEM poster night, Agnes Scott College
The effects of ethanol on aggressive behavior in crayfish
Kiki Favors-Gosha, Jani Howington, Fredria Matthews, Dr. Stacey Dutton, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
The Effect of isolation on aggressive behavior in crayfish
Asiya Abawari, Mathurin Kajorkiatpanich, Dr. Stacey Dutton, and Jennifer Larimore, PhD
Effects of diet on aggressive behavior in crayfish
Inaara Dharani, Alicia Meredith, Jada Anderson, Dr. Stacey Dutton an Jennifer Larimore PhD
No SpARC Spring 2020 because of COVID19
Spring 2020, 4 posters, Molecular Biology, at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College Scotties with Nerves Online Presentation
Alterations of TMEM70 levels in MECP2 mice neuronal tissue
Ashley-Marie Tran, Brea Hill, Furyal Ahmed, Jennifer Larimore
Comparing levels of Tph2 in Mecp2^-/y mice hippocampus vs. wild type mice hippocampus
Monique Gilmore, Fredria Matthews, Christine Galioto, Zamira Johnson, Jennifer Larimore, PhD
Changes in FOXG1 protein expression when Mecp2 is mutated
Jamie Candler, Sarah Hoyles, Eva Portillo, Caitlin Weaver, Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Progressive Impact of MECP2 Mutation on HDAC3 Levels
Asiya Abawari, Chrissie Roque, Hanna Tefera, Jennifer Larimore, PhD
Spring 2020, 3 posters, Systems Neuroscience, at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College Scotties with Nerves Online Presentation
Influence of a High Fat Diet on depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in Female C57/B6 mice
Kiki Favors-Gosha, Jani Howington, Eman Khwaja, Happy Le, Fredria Matthews, Dr. Jennifer Larimore
The Effect of HFD and Female Sex Hormones On Depressive and Anxiety-like Behaviors
Asiya Abawari, Kennedy Coates, Mia Knight, Jhodi Webster, Barbara Blatchley, PhD, Jennifer Larimore, PhD
Effects of a high-fat diet on female mice
Inaara Dharani, Diana Ghebrezadik, Alicia Meredith, Jada Anderson, Jennifer Larimore PhD
2020-2021 - Online - 4 CURE posters presented
Fall 2020, 4 posters, Cellular Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 1, STEM poster night, Agnes Scott College
Light Cycle Alterations Effect on Aggression in Crayfish
Maya Akbik, Amunet Jacobs, Ana Tapia, Alisha Vegdani, Stacey Dutton and Jennifer Larimore
Effects of Red and Blue Light On Anxiety-Like Behavior in Crayfish
Kennedy Coates, Julia King, Esmeralda Lagunas, Daryen Morgado, Anabel Braziel, Ashley Tran, Jafnun Kaderin, Stacey B. B. Dutton Ph.D
Higher Presence of Carbohydrates in Red Louisiana Crayfish Diet Increases Mortality
Sydney Y. K. Brown, Lauren Bryant, Skylar Clark, Monique Gilmore, Ashley Hobbs, Neha Nasar, Savannah Pittman, Stacey B.B. Dutton, and Jennifer Larimore
Analyzing the Effects of CBD and Caffeine on Aggression in Crayfish
Corliss Felder, Lillie Franklin, Kira Joyner, Tien Nguyen, Yomi Tadesse, Stacey Dutton, and Jennifer Larimore, Ph.D
2021 - 2022 - 24 CURE posters presented
Spring 2022, 4 posters of Molecular Biology at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2022, 4 posters from Molecular Biology at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
Protein GRIN2B regulated in Autism Mice Models.
Faith Lockhart, Tazeen Rizvi, Fabiola Vasquez, Jordyn Wood, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Effects of Autism Mouse Model on CNOT1 Protein Levels.
Indira Nathoo, Sidney Strama, Kenyetta Thomas, Lauren Whiteley, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Investigating the effects of an Autism Spectrum Disorder model on NLGN1.
Milo Beauchamp, Kennedy Coates, Olivia Ibeh, Nadia Plug, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Effect of Autism on GABRA1 Expression.
Idaly Avila-Santoyo, Meklit Bogale, Katiuska Toral Castillo, and Dr. Larimore
Spring 2022, 8 posters, Systems Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 2, at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2022, 8 posters, Systems Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 2, at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
Effects of Psychostimulants on Mice’s Anxiety.
Faith Lockhart, Kathy Do, Chioma Okafor, and Dr. Larimore
Effects of a High Fat Diet (HFD) on Anxiety and Depression in C57/BL6 Mice.
Chloe Gilkesson, Shanila Huerta, Cajireha James, and Jennifer Larimore, Ph.D.
The Influence of Temperature On Anxiety and Depression.
Ayanna Bell, Kallie Taylor, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Use of Novel Mouse Cage Change Tools to Reduce Anxiety.
Alex Martin, Tobenna Obi, Yommi Tadesse, Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Effects of Environmental Enrichment and Exercise Availability on Anxiety and Depression-Related Behaviors in Mice.
Kenyetta Thomas, Jonathan Kallini, Katiuska Toral Castillo, Dr. Jennifer Larimore and Dr. Barbara Blatchley
Implications of Mice Handling Techniques on Depression and Anxiety.
Mia Azani, Sofie Campbell, Xiomara De La Quintana, Saron Ghebrezadik, Dr. Jennifer Larimore and Dr. Blatchley
Depressive Behavior in Mice: Changes in Bedding Density.
Laura Gerken, Indira Nathoo, Chan Spaulding, Dr. Jennifer Larimore and Dr. Blatchley
Implications of Mice Handling Techniques on Depression and Anxiety.
Saron Ghebrezadik, Mia Azani, Xiomara De la Quintana, Sofie Campbell, Dr. Jennifer Larimore and Dr. Blatchley
2022 - 2023 - 14 CURE posters presented
Spring 2023, 3 posters of Molecular Biology at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2023, 3 posters from Molecular Biology at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
Rab11 and the correlation between Autism Spectrum Disorder
Saia Bennett, Yeni Hernandez, Blessing Love, Akilah Shah, Ayana Williams and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
The Effect of the SHANK3B Mutation on the AP-3 Protein Marker
Morgan Durham, Mira Katt, Kylie Roach, Dr. Jennifer Larimore
LAMP1 Expression in a Mouse Model of Autism
Zadia Batten, DeBorah Brooks, Delano Bielamowicz, Dr. Jennifer Larimore
The Effects of Endosomal Rab3 Protein Marker in SHANK3B Mice with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Chayse Busby, Kira Joyner, Amelia Lorenzo, Jade Thigpen and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Spring 2022, 4 posters, Systems Neuroscience, at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2023, 4 posters, Systems Neuroscience, at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
Effects of Exercising Wheel Exposure on Resilience to Anxiety- and Depression-Like Behaviors in Male C57/B6 Mice
Nesrine Chabaane, Kristen Gilbert, Ty Kakkad, Brianna Njagi, Esther Okamoto and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Sex Differences in Anxious and Depressive Behaviors in C57 & Shank3B Mice
Aili Fisher, Amunet Jacobs, DJ Sherwin, Leilt Seleshi, Meleah Oliver, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
The Effects of Gabapentin on Anxiety-Like Phenotypes in the Shank3B+/- Mouse Model
Aleah Davis, Kristen Wubbena, Marissa Ryals, Olivia Henry, Jazmyne Greene, and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
Impacts of probiotic, L. reuteri, on depressive like behaviors in SHANK3B mutant female mice
Rosie Hagel, Jade Thigpen, Lizzy Singh, Hudson Skye Cherry, Rue Randall and Dr. Jennifer Larimore
2023 - 2024 - 18 CURE posters presented
Fall 2023, 2 posters, Cellular Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 1, STEM poster night, Agnes Scott College
The Effects of Estradiol On Anxiety Behaviors in Crayfish
Tess Dishaw, Nadia Small, Jennifer Larimore Ph.D
Impact of Living Environment Stimulation to Effectiveness of Anti-Anxiety Drugs on Procambarus clarkii Anxiety-like Behaviors
Sophie Gregoretti, Rosybel Hernandez Perez, Jennifer Larimore
Spring 2024, 4 posters of Molecular Biology at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2024, 4 posters from Molecular Biology at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
LAMP1 protein presence in Mouse Model for ASD
Tess Dishaw, Ndongwa Pemba, Rebecca Harshman, Dr. Jennifer Larimore
The Expression of AP-3 in SHANK3B Mice
Parker Carter, Nadia Small, Yvonne Williams, Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
The Presence of Rab11 in Hippocampus Neurons in the Shank3B Autism Mouse Model
Rowan Christopher, Dani Khan, DJ Sherwin, Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Investigating The Effects of SHANK3B Mouse Model on Dysbindin Protein Level
Lil Gehner, Irma Ramirez-Rodriguez, Gabby Hall, Yunshan Zhou, and Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Spring 2024, 4 posters, Systems Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 2, at SpARC, Agnes Scott College
Spring 2024, 4 posters, Systems Neuroscience/Foundations of Neuroscience 2, at Scotties with Nerves, Agnes Scott College
The effects of music exposure on anxiety and depression levels in the SHANK3B mouse model for ASD
Tess Dishaw, Myah Hasan, Rebecca Littlehale, Marls Lord and Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
The effect of Linalool lavender essential oil on female SHANK3B mice
Sophie Gregoretti, Isis Franklin, Shaky'ra Blades, Lilly Brandt, Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Anxiolytic Effects of Linalool in Male SHANK3B Mice
Sophie Boilard, Jewel Hanks, Anjali Kunnatha, Grace Phillips
Impact of Instrumental Music on Anxiety-like Behavior in Shank3B and C57/B6 mice
Lila McMaster, Laila James, Ashley Mabrey, Rachel Hill, Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Research Funding
Professional Development Fund
$2300
2023
Vesicles that traffic through the endosomal pathway are derived from two distinct donor membranes – the Golgi complex or the plasma membrane. Those vesicles originating from the Golgi complex are trafficked directly to the plasma membrane or to an early endosome for further sorting, unless they are mis-folded, in which case they traffic from the Golgi directly to the late endosome. There are specific ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs), ArfGTPase associated proteins (GAPs), coat proteins, and associated coat proteins that are specific for this anterograde trafficking (Bonifacino and Glick, 2004).
The Arf GAPs AGAP1, AGAP2, and AGAP5 have been implicated in several neurodevelopmental diseases (including Autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Trisomy 23), but their exact role in typical neurodevelopment remains unknown. AGAP1, specifically interacts with two other vesicle complexes that are also implicated in several neurodevelopmental disorders: the coat complex AP-3 and the Biogenesis of Lysosome Related Organelles -1 (BLOC1) complex to form vesicles on endosomes. Of the neurodevelopmental disorders that Arf GAPs have been genetically implicated in, one common phenotype is altered abilities in learning and memory. In order for dendritic spines to maintain proper morphology (stubby Type 1 or mushroom Type II) required for synaptic plasticity, recycling endosomes must be fully functional within the dendrite. When endosomes are blocked/unable to traffic, spines shifted from a stable phenotype to an unstable phenotype (thin/filamentous. Type III) (Park et al., 2006a). Further, endosomal recycling of receptors has been demonstrated necessary to maintain a mobile pool of AMPA receptors that are necessary for LTP (Park et al., 2004), the cellular correlation for learning and memory. Additionally, endosomal trafficking is also necessary for the proper trafficking of key receptors to the spines in dendrites in the hippocampus. AMPA receptors require endosomal trafficking in order to maintain the proper number of receptors inserted in the postsynaptic density (PSD). This proposal will examine how AGAP1-dependent endosomal trafficking is altered in SHANK3B +/- mice and how those alterations regulate receptor trafficking, receptor localization, and spine morphology. Understanding how AGAP1-dependent endosomal pathways may contribute to neurodevelopment will further elucidate how proper neuronal connections are formed. The observations described above lead to the following hypothesis: that AGAP1-dependent endosomal trafficking is necessary for proper neuronal development, including proper spine morphology and receptor localization within the PSD. This hypothesis makes two fundamental specific aims: 1. Characterize protein levels, protein localization and mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of AGAP1-dependent endosomal trafficking markers, NMDA receptors and AMPA receptors. 2. Determine altered endosomal trafficking kinetics for AGAP-1, AP-3 and BLOC-1 in hippocampal neurons and how that affects associated-receptor insertion and morphology of dendritic spines in SHANK3B deficient mice.
duPont Advacning Women in Science
$21,000
2019 - 2020
The Apprenticeship Program in Neuroscience seeks to provide training for students who are seeking graduate school after Agnes Scott to equip them with the experience they need to be competitive for such programs. Our Program Description: Leadership is the practice of effectively mobilizing people to engage challenges. Scientists are taught this with leadership training in identifying a question, constructing a way to answer that question, and then critically analyzing the results. Leadership in STEM requires students (1) to think critically about current questions in the field and how they relate to the greater global community, (2) to conduct ethical research with team members efficiently and with respect, and (3) to communicate their results in a professional scientific manner. Successful attainment of these skills will provide participating students career marketability across all Neuroscience related fields.
Professional Development Fund
$3720
April 2018 – May 2019
Schizophrenia and Rett Syndrome are neurodevelopmental disorders with alterations in pyramidal cell morphology in the hippocampus (the brain region necessary for learning and memory). This morphological observation has been confirmed by alterations in genes that regulate cell morphology in both disorders. This alteration in cell morphology may be due to a change in endosomal trafficking. I want to explore alterations in endosomal trafficking in N2A (mouse neuroblastoma) cells expressing mutations in genes observed in Rett Syndrome (T158M mutation in MeCP2) and Schizophrenia (knock-down of BLOC-1 subunit dysbindin).
Gravett Fund Award
$1800
June 2016 – May 2017
Genome wide analysis studies have revealed an overlap of molecular processes disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Schizophrenia and Autism. By examining the genomic data, we will create groups of affected genes based on the function of the protein within the cell (functional groups). We will examine the data published on the functional groups and determine which proteins should be examined. Using western blot analysis to quantify the amount of protein and immunohistochemistry to examine the location of the protein, we will analyze any changes in protein levels or localization within cell models of schizophrenia and autism compared to control.
Holder Fund for Faculty Innovations
$4000
June 2015 – June 2016
Our lab hypothesizes that impaired BLOC-1 function contributes to the GABAergic phenotype observed in the BLOC-1 null mice. To test this, we will examine how BLOC-1 regulates the number of parvalbumin interneurons during development. We will examine hippocampus and prefrontal cortex isolated from several developmental stages from mice lacking the BLOC-1 complex to compare protein and mRNA levels of GABAergic markers.
Net/WORK, an NIH BP-ENDURE Program
$300,000
June 2012 – August 2015
The fellowship mentors under-represented undergraduates in research laboratories during the Junior and Senior year. For students from underrepresented groups at Georgia State University, Emory University, Spelman College, and Agnes Scott College, NET/work is a two-year paid research assistantship that provides participants with local and national research opportunities from their sophomore year through graduation.
International Rett Syndrome Foundation Fellowship
$100,000
September 2012- August 2014
This grant explored the transcriptional regulation of BLOC-1 complex subunits by MeCP2, a gene product whose function is impaired in Rett syndrome. This study resulted in key information about the role of BLOC-1 in the synaptic pathogenic mechanisms that characterize Rett syndrome and schizophrenia.
Teaching Experience
Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia
Fall 2012 - present
Syllabi and course evals can be found on my website ilovebrains.org
Courses Developed and Taught at Agnes Scott College:
GLB 102: Contentment in a World of Anxiety
COURSE DESCRIPTION: GBL 102 explores the concepts of global structures, systems, and processes through common readings, dialogues, small group discussions and a tour of Stockholm, Sweden. This course specifically focuses on the role of community and social influences on contentment/happiness. With that, during the course of the semester, students learn about the importance of contentment/happiness, what impacts contentment/happiness, and how society/cultures impact happiness and contentment. In addition, the course will cover the history, geography, and culture of Sweden, in order to cultivate the skills needed to engage in meaningful intercultural communications with Swedes. While this class will focus on happiness/ contentment, it is not a mental health, psychology, or neuroscience course. This is not a language class. If you would like to learn a few phrases, look to apps or podcasts or youtube.
2. GLB 103: Journey’s Stockholm
COURSE DESCRIPTION: GBL 103 is the week-long travel that is part of GLB 102.
3. BIO 110: Integrative Biology I
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, we will explore a number of core topics in biology including biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, gene expression, evolution, and ecology. Because biologists are discovering new things every day, we have selected some of the most significant topics to cover in this course.
4. BIO 111: Integrative Biology 2
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, we will explore a number of core topics in biology including biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, gene expression, evolution, and ecology. Biology is a rapidly growing and expanding discipline. Because biologists are discovering new things every day, we have selected some of the most significant topics to cover in this course.
5. BIO 191: Genetics and Molecular Biology
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a rigorous course intended for potential science majors & pre‐meds. In this course we will explore a number of core topics in biology, with the major focus on molecular biology and genetics. Areas of investigation will include cellular communication and signal transduction, gene expression and its regulation, biotechnology, stem cells, mutations and cancer, mitosis, meiosis, and Mendelian genetics. Biology is a vast, rapidly growing field, and we can’t possibly cover all of the details.Although we will only focus on core concepts and content areas in molecular biology and genetics, the course is still challenging for many students. You are expected to devote a good deal of time to independent study outside of class. It is critical that you set aside time every day to read and review the material. Form study groups, utilize the study sessions and one-on-one tutoring that is available, and please come see the instructor early in the semester if you are struggling.
6. LDR 201: SCALE - Sophomore Class Atlanta Leadership Experience
COURSE DESCRIPTION: SCALE is a 1-credit interdisciplinary course taught by faculty from multiple disciplines and supported by staff from the Gué Pardue Hudson Center for Leadership and Service and the Office of Internship and Career Development. Taking place primarily during Peak Week, SCALE provides students an opportunity to transform classroom learning into real-life experiences in professional settings. Immersive internship experiences in a range of professional settings in and around Atlanta provide hands-on learning and allow students to deepen their knowledge, build career literacy, and equip themselves for post-graduate success. Teaching faculty prepare student teams to engage with area organizations, where they participate in leadership development, observe leadership in action, analyze organizational challenges, and provide assessments of organizational challenges. Teaching faculty facilitate a final day of learning reflection and integration.
7. BIO 210: Scientific Inquiry and Communication
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on fundamental aspects of DOING science and BEING a scientist. Students will acquire many intellectual and practical skills that are essential for success in future science courses and any career path. These include developing competence in scientific thinking, the methods of scientific investigation and effective communication of scientific information. The specific course educational goals listed below are directly related to those of Agnes Scott College and include elements of intellectual growth that are characteristic of higher order thinking.
8. BIO 216: Molecular Biology
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class, we will examine topics that serve as the foundation for many different science disciplines. We will cover transcription, transcriptomics, translation, gene expression, genomics, protein synthesis and proteomics. These varying topics apply to cancer biology, plant biology, evolution, and neurobiology. How an organism makes and uses the molecules required for life is the basis of our understanding of many greater and complex pieces of knowledge.
9. BIO 216 Lab: Inquiry Driven Research in Molecular Biology - Course based undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: We are analyzing if endosomal proteins are altered in cells a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. The mice we will be using are C57/Black 6 (the control mouse with no mutation) and the SHANK3B mutant mouse (autism mouse model). We will compare the protein levels between C57/B6 (control) and the SHANK3B mutant (ASD model).
**From Spring 2018 - Spring 2024, 41 posters generated from this CURE have been presented at poster symposium.
10.BIO 318: Developmental Biology
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an elective in the Neuroscience, BMB and Biology majors. The course is designed to enhance the scientific maturation of all STEM majors taking the course. The course objectives are based on skills that are required by scientific employers, medical school and graduate school: critical thinking, scientific skills, team work, motivation, integrity, and scientific communication (both written and oral).
11.BIO 350: Cellular Neuroscience
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines foundational principles in cellular neuroscience. This includes the electrophysiological nature of neuronal cells, their structure and function, and the various extracellular and intracellular messages used to communicate in the nervous system.
12.BIO 350 Lab: Inquiry Driven Research in Cellular Neuroscience - Course based undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This laboratory is designed as inquiry-based. Therefore, students will design their experiment, carry out that experiment, analyze the data, and communicate their findings through a lab report and an oral presentation. Students will be broken into small teams, similar to teams that are part of research labs. The first few lab classes will function to introduce our model species, the crayfish and the techniques that are available. Each group will be responsible for identifying a hypothesis that can be tested with the techniques and materials that will be used. To do this, an examination of primary literature will be necessary, so please bring a tablet or laptop to class or share with a friend throughout the duration of the course.
**From Fall 2019 - Spring 2024, many posters from this CURE have been presented. I have taught only a few sections of this lab, and under my mentorship, generated 8 posters.
13.BIO 351: Systems Neuroscience
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will understand the basic structure, function and organization of the mammalian nervous system and how sets of cells in the CNS and PNS operate in systems to produce both simple and complex behavior. Students will also be able to present their research findings in an oral presentation as well as in a written.
14.BIO 351 Lab: Inquiry Driven Research in Systems Neuroscience - Course based undergraduate Research Experiences CURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: For this semester, you are going to work with a lab group to design a test to determine if a variable you identify could impact anxiety (open field test) or depression (forced swim) in mice. We will be using C57/Black 6 (C57/B6) as our control mice and SHANK3B deficient mice (autism mouse model) mice from Jackson Labs. These are an inbred strain of mice. You are required to look up more about them on the Jackson Lab website (jax.org). There is more information in the lab manual about the tests. Forced swim test is a behavioral test used to measure depressive-like behavior in mice. Open field test is a behavioral test used to measure anxiety behavior in mice. We have 2 articles that describe the protocols in their entirety (they are in your lab manual). Read these articles BEFORE your group decides on your experimental design.
**From Spring 2019 - Spring 2024, 35 posters generated from this CURE have been presented at poster symposium.
15.BIO 330: Diseases of the nervous system.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class examines the cell types that make up the human brain and how each of these cell types function properly to make us who we are. We will examine the sub-cellular nature of several different neurological diseases to fully understand the important functions of individual brain cells.
16.BIO 380: Directed Research
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will use molecular biology techniques to explore morphology changes to dendrites and spines in a model of Schizophrenia. This is a 4-credit course. In addition to 4 hours in-class time, you will be spending a minimum of 8-10 hours per week in preparation for our class sessions, including completing reading assignments and answering discussion questions in writing before coming to class.
17.BIO/PSY 405: Professional Development in Neuroscience
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on preparing you for careers in STEM. As such, there are 4 main outcomes of this class: 1. Reflect on personal career goals and hands-on experience 2. Produce a digital portfolio 3. Produce a scientific CV and personal statement 4. Identify career opportunities through a speaker series focused on careers in neuroscience that will be embedded in the course.
18.BIO 410: Independent Study
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students completed an independent study in a topic of their choosing. The class structure was built around weekly readings and meetings to discuss those readings.
19.BIO 440: Directed Research
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will use molecular biology techniques to explore endosomal trafficking in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dendritic morphology and dendritic spine receptor insertion is necessary for typical neuronal development and synaptic formation. Previous studies have proposed that aberrant connectivity among neurons underlies autism phenotypes, and that altered connectivity is a result, in part, of altered dendritic spine volume and density of patients with autism. Postsynaptic densities (PSD) composition requires proper endosomal trafficking at the level of the recycling endosome as well as other scaffolding proteins to be present. The SHANK family of proteins are responsible for synapse formation and synaptic plasticity at glutamatergic synapses. SHANK3B codes for key PSD proteins that are part of the glutamate receptor protein complex that physically links ionotropic NMDA receptors to metabotropic mGlu5 receptors, a linkage necessary for induction of plasticity. Using immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and qt-PCR we describe how AGAP1-dependent endosomal trafficking kinetics and endosomal protein levels are altered in SHANK3B +/- mice. We also describe how those alterations regulate receptor trafficking, receptor localization in the PSD, and spine morphology. Understanding how AGAP1-dependent endosomal pathways may contribute to neurodevelopment will further elucidate how proper neuronal connections are formed.
20.BIO 450: Directed Internship
COURSE DESCRIPTION: To prepare for veterinary school, internships working in a clinic are necessary experiences to understand the career path and prepare you for school. BIO 450 is a 3-credit course. You will intern at the clinic 8-10 hours a week, for a total of 100 hours in the semester. You will also dedicate additional hours each week to write a blog reflection on the experiences in the internship that week and how that particular experiences has impacted your desire to be a vet.
21.BIO 490: Senior Honors Thesis
Students have been mentored in a senior’s honors thesis.
Gia Selagea, Class of 2015
Miranda Arnold, Class of 2017
Crystal Burgess, Class of 2018
Hannah Rudolph, Class of 2018
Susan Cordero Romero, Class of 2019
Lauren Neal, Class of 2020
Jhodi Webster, Class of 2020
Alex Lombardo, Class of 2021
Inaara Dhahran, Class of 2021
Camryn Smith, Class of 2021
Yommi Tadasse, Class of 2023
22.BIO 492: Senior Seminar in Learning and Memory
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class examines diseases of the nervous system that affect human ability to learn and remember. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will achieve the following objectives: Analyze and apply knowledge of learning and memory, Analyze how diseases can impact learning and memory through molecular alterations, Demonstrate the ability to create new lines of scientific inquiry in relation to the diseases studied, and Relate and present primary journal articles, demonstrating analytical thinking.
23.BIO 492: Senior Seminar in Addiction
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this senior seminar, we will be examining addiction and it’s impact on the brain, society, health care, public health, art, and literature.
24.BIO 492: Senior Seminar on the Women of STEM and the Nobel Prize
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will explore the discoveries and struggles of women who have won the Nobel Prize in STEM fields. Between 1901 and 2015, 583 scientists in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine have been awarded the Nobel Prize. Of those 583, 17 women have won the Nobel Prize. This class will examine the discoveries and the struggles of being a female Nobel Laureate in the STEM fields.
25.MDS 620: Anatomy and Physiology 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will explain the basics of human anatomy and physiology including anatomical terminology, cells and tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous system.
Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia
Fall 2010
Co-Instructor, Kai McCormack, Ph.D., teaching mentor
Brain and Behavior, Psychology 320: Required coursework for majors in the Psychology Department.
Fellowship in Research and Science Teaching (FIRST), Emory University
2009-2012
This paid FIRST fellowship provided training in research as well as science education. The fellowship required both a science mentor and a teaching mentor. Through this fellowship, I was mentored in the lab of Victor Faundez for research training, which resulted in four publications, two as first author. I chose a teaching mentor at Spelman College, Kai McCormick, Ph.D. Dr. McCormick trained me in active learning techniques and pedagogical practices that engage students while we co-taught her Brain and Behavior class at Spelman. We were trained at Emory in teaching pedagogy and best practices in science education.
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
2005-2008
Mentor, Rotation Students
Braden Cox Fall 2005
Sean Markwardt Winter 2006-2007
Sharday Ewell Spring 2008
David Gaston 2005
Allison Smith 2006
Isaiah Rolle 2006
English Instructor, Kibera Primer School, Kiberia, Kenya, West Africa
2001, 2006, 2007
English teacher for a one-week module on grammar, spelling, and pronunciation.
Asbury University, Wilmore, Kentucky
1998-2001
Lab assistant, freshman non-Major’s Biology laboratory sections.
The Birmingham Swim League, Birmingham, Alabama
1993-2003
Swim coach for elite, competitive swimmers.
Professional Development
Decolonizing the Curriculum
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Global Journey’s Workshops
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Society for Neuroscience Annual Research Meeting
Fall 2012-2019, 2022 - 2023
SCALE Workshops
Fall 2021 - Spring 2023
Exploring research experiences for STEM majors - faculty trip to Germany Spring 2023
Development of an online graduate class in Neuroscience with Wiley Ed. Specialist Spring 2023
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Workshop
Fall 2022
What’s New in Atlanta Neuroscience
Fall 2022
Problem and Project based learning Workshop
Fall 2021
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students in STEM
Fall 2019
Science Writing and Presenting - Training the CWS Tutors
Fall 2018
Atlanta Science Festival with Nu Rho Psi
Spring 2020, Spring 2019
Faculty Workshop on Mentored Research for Undergraduates
Spring 2017
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Review Panel Fall 2017
Service
Campus Involvement
Faculty Phone Calls to intended Neuroscience Majors
Spring 2024
Presidential Scholarship Weekend Interview Panel
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Mock Class March 2022
“Schizophrenia: Clinical Practices, Public Health Policies, and Mouse Models”
Mock Class April 2022
“Neuroanatomy Hands-on Lab”
Faculty Marshall 2021 and 2022
Achievement Weekend Faculty Panel Spring 2017, Spring 2020
Campus Committee Work
Board of Trustee’s Committee on Finance Success and Planning
Fall 2022 – Spring 2024
Board of Trustee’s Subcommittee on Endowment Investment
Fall 2022 – Spring 2024
Finance and Strategic Planning Committee (FSP)
Fall 2022 – Spring 2024, Chair 2022- 2023, Fall 2023
Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Success
Spring 2019
Committee on Academic Standards and Admission (CASA)
Fall 2016- Spring 2018
Professional Development Committee (PDC)
Fall 2013 – Fall 2015
Biology Department
Department Member Fall 2012 – Spring 2023
Fall Stem Symposium
Curricular changes
Biology Alum tracking
RPT review of faculty undergoing tenure review
Hiring Committees for 2 different tenure track searches
Chair of Biology, 2019 -2022
Hire adjuncts
Approve Course adjustments
Monitor the budget
Attend Chairs and Director Meetings
Submit Course schedule to the registrar
Organize dept meeting schedule and construct the agenda
Worked on PSI in the major
Neuroscience and Philosophy Department
Department formation Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Worked one curricular issues and new major for Neuroscience
Developed the content for the forms for curriculum committee
Co-Chair of Neuroscience and Philosophy Summer 2023 - present
Developed the content for the forms for curriculum committee
Neuroscience Program
Co-Director for the Neuroscience Program at Agnes Scott. Summer 2016 - Spring 2023
Hire adjuncts
Approve Course adjustments
Monitor the budget
Attend Chairs and Director Meetings
Submit Course schedule to the registrar
Organize dept meeting schedule and construct the agenda
Continually work on PSI in the major
Program Member Fall 2012 - present
Scotties with Nerves Annual Symposium
Major Alum Tracking
Curricular Changes
Neuroscience Seminar Series
Fall Career Panel
RPT review for faculty members undergoing tenure review
Neuroscience community
Editor Review Board, Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience Spring 2015 – present
Review articles in related fields of research
Propose issues around a centralized topic
Neuroscience National Honor Society advisor for the Agnes Scott chapter. Spring 2014 - present
Work with students to prepare the annual research symposium at Agnes, Scotties with Nerves.
Work with students to hold the annual induction ceremony.
Neuroscience National Honor Society grant review committee. Spring 2024
Reviewed student grants for the National Board to disrupt funds.
NSF Review Panel, MRI Spring 2022 and Spring 2024
Read over 20 grants and prepared lead presentations for 4 grants.
Worked on a multi-day review panel to rate grant proposals to the NSF.
Scientific Judge Spring 2019
Judge for poster sessions at the annual meeting for ABRCMS
Textbook Editor Spring 2018
“Principles of Life” by Hillis et. al. Chapter review “Neurons, Sense, Organs and the Nervous System”
Director of the NET/work program Fall 2012 – Spring 2016
Placed 8 students in research labs every year
Placed all of the Network students in summer research position placements (around 20 students a year).
Met monthly with the other host institutions to review the efficacy of the learning modules and professional training.
Traveled with students to the annual Society for Neuroscience.
Professional References
Melissa Thal, Ph.D.
Director of Marketing, Natera
Email: Mthal7680@gmail.com
Srebrenka Robic, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Director, Science Center for Women
Phone: 404.471.6379
Email: srobic@agnesscott.edu
Stacey B.B. Dutton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Philosophy
Phone: 404.471.6528
Email: sdutton@agnesscott.edu
Victor Faundez, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Cell Biology
Vice Chair of the Cell Biology Department at Emory University
Phone: 404-727-3945
Email: vfaunde@emory.edu