Congratulations Graduate Students

On behalf of the Neuroscience Graduate Program, we would like to congratulate the following students who recently defended their Ph.D. dissertations:

Shaina M. Short defended her dissertation on Friday, May 24, 2013 in the Low Learning Center, titled “Synaptic Modulation of Dendritic Excitability in Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons”. Major advisor: Dr. Srdjan D. Antic. Dr. Shaina Short has accepted a postdoctoral position at Yale University.

Bharti Manwani defended her dissertation on Monday, June 3, 2013 in the Low Learning Center, titled “Investigating the role of sex chromosomal complement in ischemic stroke”. Major advisor: Dr. Louise McCullough. Dr. Bharti Manwani previously received her M.D. and will start her residency here, UConn Health Center and Hartford Hospital, in the Neurology Department.

We would also like to congratulate the following three M.D./Ph.D. students who previously defended their Ph.D. dissertations and have now completed their medical training this past May:

Drew Kiraly  M.D., Ph.D.; has accepted a physician scientist (research track) residency in Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai. Drew previously defended his Ph.D. dissertation on June 3, 2011, titled “Characterization of the Rho-GEF Kalirin-7 in the mouse brain: evidence for a role in learning and addictive-like behaviors, as well as neuronal morphology and NMDA receptor signaling”. Major Advisor: Dr. Betty Eipper

Eric Gaier, M.D., Ph.D.; has accepted a research track residency in Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear at Mass General Hospital. Eric previously defended his Ph.D. dissertation on June 17, 2011, titled “PAM heterozygosity disrupts amygdalar neurophysiology and copper homeostasis with behavioral consequences”. Major Advisor: Dr. Richard E. Mains

Nicole Jackman, M.D., Ph.D.; has accepted a research track residency in Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco. Nicole previously defended her Ph.D. dissertation on June 20, 2011, titled “Characterization of System xc-, a Cystine-Glutamate Amino Acid Transporter, as an Effector of Interleukin-1β-Mediated Injury and Neuroprotection”. Major Advisor: Dr. Sandra Hewett