A Year of Birding With Charles H. Neff

Abstract: The Orange Judd Museum of Natural History, the Wesleyan Museum, was founded in 1870 and housed a wide variety of specimens including minerals, shells, bones, fossil casts, taxidermy birds, and spirit-preserved specimens. The collections fell out of use as science classes switched their focus towards experimental study. The museum was closed in 1957, and … Read more

Whole Genome Sequencing of Rhinichthys cataractae Using Oxford Nanopore MinION Technology

Abstract: Our lab focuses on evolution of aquatic organisms in fragmented habitats/landscapes. We are interested in anthropogenic and climatic effects on population-genetic structures of fishes. The Longnose dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, is a common inhabitant of riffle communities in Northeastern US streams. We require an aligned sequence of R. cataractae genome. Recent advances have dramatically expanded genome sequencing and analysis. Oxford … Read more

Probing the Dopaminergic Innervation of a Novel Subtype of HVC Adult-Born Neurons in Male Zebra Finches

Abstract: Zebra finches are social animals that communicate via different types of vocalizations, and their song system is an ideal model for studying sensorimotor learning. Throughout adulthood, new neurons are added continuously into the telencephalic brain structure HVC (proper name), which is heavily involved in motor control of singing. The role of these adult-born new … Read more

Delving Below the Species Level To Characterize the Ecological Diversity within the Global Virome

Abstract: The Global Virome Project aims to discover new viruses at the species level, while the goal of our project is to discover ecological differences within the virus species. On a broader scale, our influenza project aims to identify phylogenetic trees of putative ecotypes for viruses found in wild water birds that have the potential … Read more

Sex Differences, Neurosteroids and the Development of Tolerance to Alcohol’s Anxiolytic Effects

Abstract: Close to 90% of individuals 18 years and older in the United States will consume alcohol at some point in their lives. Although 7% of men have alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to 4% of women, women are more at risk for the negative health and safety effects of alcohol. Therefore, understanding sex differences … Read more

Neurosteroidogenesis and Individual Differences in Vulnerability to Developing Escalated Alcohol Intake Following Chronic Social Defeat Stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent co-occurring psychiatric pathologies among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although comorbidity worsens the symptoms and prognosis following treatment of both disorders, no approved compound has demonstrated efficacy to treat AUD comorbid with PTSD. GABAergic neurosteroids are altered by chronic alcohol and play a role … Read more

RMS2D Heatmap Edge Detection and K-Means Clustering Analysis to Determine Stable Segments of MD Trajectories

Abstract: Using molecular dynamics (MD) methods, we’ve identified a subsystem of the ribosome termed the CAR interaction surface that we hypothesize regulates translation of mRNA by altering the CAR surface differently depending on the +1 codon. MD simulations of this area of the ribosome can be used to study the behavior of this dynamic system … Read more

The Evolution of the Mormyrid Weakly Electric Fish Brain and its Impact on Species Diversification

Abstract: Evolutionarily, changes in social behavior are associated with differences in neural circuitry.  Weakly electric fish communicate using stereotyped brief pulses of electricity, distributed non-uniformly over time; called Electric Organ Discharges (EODs). In the Mormyrid family of weakly electric fish, species diversification has been correlated with coordinated changes in the exterolateral nucleus (EL) of the … Read more

Electrocommunication and Social Coordination in Weakly Electric Mormyrid Fish

Abstract: As the basis of interaction between individuals, communication signals are key features of animal social behavior. Analysis of social communication in animals, however, is often limited to pairwise interactions due to technical challenges and the complexity of communication signals. Mormyridae are a family of weakly electric fish native to Africa that provide a unique … Read more

Combined Effects of Alcohol and Phthalate Exposure on Mammary Gland Development

Abstract: Alcohol functions as an endocrine disruptor, and has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. This risk may be augmented by involuntary exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates. Phthalates are a group of endocrine disrupting chemicals used as plasticizers, and are found in a wide range of products including … Read more