MY RESEARCH INTERESTS AND BACKGROUND
I am a translational neuroscientist focused on turning circuit neuroscience discoveries into therapeutic strategies for psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders. My expertise spans synaptic physiology, in-vivo circuit manipulation, and behavioral modeling, with a track record of innovative original research and building preclinical pipelines.
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I trained at Colby, NIDA, and Brown (PhD), where I uncovered novel mechanisms linking pain and reward circuits under opioid influence. I invented a novel molecular tool for activity-dependent & cell-type specific control of synapses. Read about the team that brought this tool to life.
At Stanford, I lead projects mapping the brain circuits driving negative reinforcement, identifying biomarkers, and developing targeted interventions that inform treatment strategies.
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I am passionate about cross-functional collaboration, science communication, and accelerating innovation from bench to bedside. I am seeking opportunities in R&D, portfolio strategy, or innovation to translate neuroscience into patient impact.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION & TRAINING
BACHELOR OF ARTS
COLBY COLLEGE
Graduated cum laude in Psychology w/Neuroscience concentration
Worked in labs of Drs. Steven Harrison, Tariq Ahmad, Melissa Glenn
2008 - 2012
Postbaccalaureate Intramural Trainee
National Institute on Drug Abuse
2012 - 2014
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
BROWN UNIVERSITY
2014 - 2019
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
GLADSTONE INSTITUTES & UCSF
2019 - 2022*
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2022 - present
Behavioral Neuroscience Branch
Mentor: Yavin Shaham, PhD
Department of Neuroscience
Degree Conferred: May 2019 Link to my dissertation
Mentor: Julie Kauer, PhD
Committee: Drs. Barry Connors, Christopher Moore, Christopher McBain
Department of Neurological Disease
Mentor: Anatol Kreitzer, PhD
*Kreitzer Lab closed August 2022
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor: Robert Malenka, MD PhD
Funding: Foundation for OCD Research
GRANTS & AWARDS
1. Panel Travel Award, Winter Conference on Brain Research; 2025
2. Philadelphia SPINE fellow (Symposium for Postdoctoral Initiatives in Neuroscience Excellence); 2024
3. Trailblazing Trainee Award, Stanford University Department of Psychiatry; 2024
4. Berkelhammer Award for Excellence in Neuroscience Gladstone Institutes; 2020
5. F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award; 2017-2019
6. B C of Sigma Xi Award for excellence in scientific progress and mentorship; 2018
7. Brown U. Chapter of the Society of Sigma Xi, Full Member; 2018
8. Poster Travel Award, Winter Conference on Brain Research; 2018
9. Best graduate student poster, Winter Conference on Brain Research; 2018
10. Neuroscience Advanced Predoctoral Institutional Training Grant (T32); 2016-2017
11. Interdisciplinary Predoctoral Neuroscience Training Grant (T32); 2015-2016
12. Sidney Frank Fellowship; Division of Biology & Medicine at Brown University; 2014-2015
13. Honorable mention, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program; 2015
14. Honorable mention, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program; 2014
15. William D. Adams Presidential Scholar (Colby College); 2008-2012
16. Outstanding poster award, NIH Post-Baccalaureate Poster Day; 2013
17. Outstanding poster award, NIDA Poster and Mentoring Awards Day; 2013
18. All-Academic Team, New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC): 2010, 2011, 2012
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
SLICE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
COMPLEX BEHAVIOR
COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS
DRUG SELF ADMINISTRATION
OPTOGENETICS,
CHEMOGENETICS
FIBER PHOTOMETRY
ANATOMY
MY SKILL SET
Being a scientist requires more than technical prowess, novel ideas, and attention to detail...I strive to always be a good colleague, mentor, and member of the community. Below are some attributes that I highly value and believe are essential to being a great scientist and leader.
MENTORING
I have formally and informally mentored others at every stage of my scientific journey. Early on, this took the form of teaching others how to do something, like rodent surgery. Now, I have more experiences acting as a primary mentor for undergraduates. Inclusion is a cornerstone of this part of my job. Mentoring is not only a skill, but a passion of mine that I look forward to improving on.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION / OUTREACH
A major motivating factor in my career has been to improve equity and access to scientific careers for underrepresented groups. I consider it both my duty and privilege as a scientist to make STEM more inclusive for everyone and will continue to champion DEI efforts as a member of the scientific community.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Dissemination of research findings is critical for scientific progress as well as building trust with the wider community. I pride myself on my ability to communicate my ideas and findings to anyone, tailoring the words to make the conversation, publication, or presentation understood by those present.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
If you know me, you'll know that I love to juggle at least a few projects at once. Maybe it's that science is full of failures and it's nice to always have something on the back-burner or maybe I just can't pick only one question at a time. Either way, I've developed copious skills in managing my time, keeping others on track, and making sure that we move forward efficiently.
MORE ABOUT ME
