My research focuses on understanding how hormones shape both the structure and function of the vertebrate brain. Hormones are known to play a significant role in sexual reproduction, aggression, parental care, learning and memory as well as protection of the brain against neurodegeneration. However, questions remain as to how hormones affect associative behavior.
One such associative behavior that my lab studies is known as shoaling. Shoaling behavior has been shown to both decrease the risk of predation on individual fish as well as increase the likelihood of mating for members of the shoal. Social aggregations of fish called shoals are often formed by fish with similar physical characteristics (similar color patterns, body size, fin length). The overall colorization of the body and its effects on shoal choice has only been studied in the red transgenic Glofish. In addition, the role that hormones play in shoaling has not been studied. To study shoaling behavior, my lab makes use of wild type and transgenic versions of the species of fish known as zebra fish (Danio rerio).
One such associative behavior that my lab studies is known as shoaling. Shoaling behavior has been shown to both decrease the risk of predation on individual fish as well as increase the likelihood of mating for members of the shoal. Social aggregations of fish called shoals are often formed by fish with similar physical characteristics (similar color patterns, body size, fin length). The overall colorization of the body and its effects on shoal choice has only been studied in the red transgenic Glofish. In addition, the role that hormones play in shoaling has not been studied. To study shoaling behavior, my lab makes use of wild type and transgenic versions of the species of fish known as zebra fish (Danio rerio).
Hormones and Neuroprotection
My previous research focused on the role steroid hormones play in protecting the brain from degeneration. Injury to the adult mammalian and songbird brain induces the expression of aromatase, or the enzyme that synthesizes estrogens. This upregulation of aromatase occurs in glial cells around insult. My research found that local estrogen synthesis by glial aromatization limits the wave of secondary apoptotic degeneration that is characteristic of mammalian brain injury. My research also demonstrated that the injury-induced aromatase mRNA is indistinguishable from the aromatase mRNA typically found constitutively expressed in neurons of the brain.