Alumni

Graduate Degree

PhD in Neuroscience (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Werner Geldenhuys

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Werner Geldenhuys

Jacob is a fourth year Ph. D. student in the Neuroscience program in the School of Medicine and in his second year as a trainee on the Stroke T32 training grant. His research in Dr. Werner Geldenhuys' lab focuses on mitoNEET, a protein integral for mitochondrial function, and its role as a drug target for novel therapeutics to combat neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease in addition to post-stroke recovery.

“Being a trainee on the Stroke T32 training program has allowed me to collaborate on research projects with colleagues using approaches outside of my comfort zone while also allowing me to attend national conferences to further expand my network of colleagues and collaborators to provide a cross-translational approach to my research. I look forward to the opportunities provided including, but not limited to, professional development, networking and collaborating with other scientists.

Graduate Degree

Graduate Degree

PhD in Neuroscience (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Randy Nelson

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Randy Nelson

Jacob is a first year Associate Scholar on the Stroke T32 grant. He is a second year Neuroscience PhD student and Swiger Fellow studying in Dr. Randy Nelson’s lab. As Dr. Nelson’s trainee, Jacob examines how exposure to light at night can affect circadian rhythms and their regulation of cerebrovasculature and pain.

“Acceptance to the Stroke T32 program has been an exciting opportunity to improve my professional development, communication, and critical thinking skills. Within the program, I am fortunate to be exposed to novel research and ideas that directly impact the health of our community as well as improve my own research acumen.”

Graduate Degree

PhD in Neuroscience (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Paul Chantler

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Paul Chantler

Emily is entering her fourth year as a PhD student in the Neuroscience Program. She studies the impact of stress on neurovascular coupling under the guidance of Dr. Paul Chantler. In January of 2020, she presented at the Neuroscience Student Forum, with a talk titled, “Cerebrovascular Dysfunction with Chronic Stress.”

Being a trainee on the Stroke T32 has given me a chance to expand my horizons and collaborate with individuals outside of my discipline, within West Virginia University, as well as at international conferences.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Clinical Psychology (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Amy Fiske

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Amy Fiske

Erika is a first-year trainee on the training grant and a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program in the Department of Psychology. She works in Dr. Amy Fiske’s Mental Health and Aging Lab studying depression and suicide in late life. As a trainee on the grant, she examines suicide risk in older adult stroke patients. More specifically, she is looking at how various coping styles and social support may serve as protective factors for suicide risk in this unique clinical population.

“My favorite part about being a trainee so far is getting to learn from and collaborate with students and faculty from different areas of expertise. This multidisciplinary experience has motivated me to explore facets of stroke I would not have otherwise and it has strengthened my ability to consume research in the basic sciences.”

Graduate Degree

PhD in Clinical Psychology

Graduate Degree

PhD in Cellular and Integrative Physiology (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Timothy Nurkiewicz

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Timothy Nurkiewicz

Krista is a fourth year PhD student in the Cellular and Integrative Physiology program in the WVU School of Medicine. She works with Dr. Timothy Nurkiewicz where she studies the cardiovascular and reproductive ramifications of maternal inhalation exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENM). Currently, she is working on assessing the critical window of gestational exposure to pinpoint the time at which the greatest detriment to microvascular function and fetal outcomes occur. Specifically, she is interested in how exposure alters components of the renin-angiotensin system and therefore alter microvascular function and health outcomes.

As a trainee I am able to hone my research and professional skills by being exposed to scientists outside of my discipline. Additionally, this T32 will provide ample opportunities for potential collaboration and intellectual guidance.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Tim Nurkiewicz

Graduate Degree

Graduate Degree

PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Brown

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Brown

Graduate Degree

PhD in Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Mark Olfert

Graduate Degree

PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Cole Vonder Haar

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Cole Vonder Haar

Kristen is in her second-year on the training grant and is a third-year Behavioral Neuroscience student in the Department of Psychology. She works with Dr. Cole Vonder Haar and studies chronic psychiatric and cognitive impairments after brain injury. Her current project is looking at an anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce injury-induced impulsivity and inattention.

"I enjoy being a trainee because it allows me to broaden my research and scientific perspective by working with faculty and students from different areas."

Graduate Degree

PhD in Clinical Psychology (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Shari Steinman

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Shari Steinman

Gabriella T. Ponzini is in her second year as a trainee. She is also a third-year doctoral student in the Department of Psychology. As part of her research with Dr. Shari Steinman, Gabriella studies methods to improve attitudes towards and knowledge about anxiety disorders and related disorders, as well as their evidence-based treatments. As a trainee on the grant, she will have the opportunity to study post-stroke survivors' experiences with anxiety.

As a trainee, I will have the opportunity to conduct research to understand why and for who anxiety disorders develop in post-stroke patients. This research will help me develop methods to improve early recognition of anxiety disorders and access to evidence-based mental health care for patients. I will also have the opportunity to experience new research methods in basic science and learn from colleagues in various disciplines, which will help inform my clinical research in the future.

Graduate Degree

Graduate Degree

PhD in Neuroscience (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Martin Hruska

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Martin Hruska

James is fourth year PhD student in the laboratory of Dr. Eric Tucker, in the Department of Neuroscience. He is currently an active member and trainee of the Cell and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Engineering Training Program. He studies the roles for c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling in forebrain development. His current research focuses on the effects of JNK on thalamocortical axon (TCA) development and investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms guiding TCA projections. Understanding these mechanisms during thalamocortical axon extension, will help uncover potential causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.

Being a trainee for this T32 opens the door for many opportunities for collaboration, skill workshops, hosting outside seminar speakers, workshops to explore the various core facilities available at the university, and also providing opportunities for student sabbaticals. Overall, I plan to use the skills and knowledge that I gain from the CBTP program to fully accomplish my research goals and help my progression through my graduate studies.

Graduate Degree

Graduate Degree

Graduate Degree

PhD in Neuroscience (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Zachary Weil

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Zachary Weil

Bailey is in his first year on the Stroke T32 training grant as an associate scholar. He is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience program in the School of Medicine. His research in Dr. Zachary Weil's laboratory focuses on traumatic brain injury and the comorbidities that may exist between TBI and ischemic strokes, with a particular interest in both vascular responses and mitochondrial consequences to the paired injuries.

"The opportunity to be a part of this training program is an exciting chance to expand my connections in the field of stroke research and grow a deeper appreciation and knowledge for the work that is being conducted in the field. Meeting and learning from experts and fellow researchers is a great opportunity that will aid me in developing more skills and understanding a great deal more to aid me in becoming a better scientist and researcher."