Graduate Students

Jessica André: jandre@temple.edu.
B.S. in Biology and Psychology, Rutgers University, Cook College.

Interests: Neurobiology of learning and memory, mechanisms that underlie the effects of
nicotine on hippocampus-dependent forms of learning. Jessica joined the lab in 2004.

 

Jennifer Davis : jendavis@temple.edu .
BA in Psychology and Fine Art, Dickinson College.

Interests: Neurobiology of learning and memory Investigation of the effects of acute nicotine administration, chronic nicotine administration, and nicotine withdrawal on learning and memory. Investigation of mechanisms that underlie the effects of nicotine on hippocampus-dependent forms of learning.

 

Danielle Gulick: dgulick@temple.edu  
B.A. in Biology, Williams College; M. Ed in Secondary Education , UMASS Amherst .

Interests: Danielle joined the lab in 2004 and is currently working on research examining the interactive effects of ethanol and nicotine on learning and memory, and the neurotransmitter systems and molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions.

 

Justin Kenney: justin.kenney@temple.edu
B.S. in Physics, B.A. in Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University

Interests: Justin joined the lab in 2005 and his current research is focused on determining by what mechanisms nicotine acts to enhance learning and memory. The model of Pavlovian fear conditioning is used in conjunction with molecular biology techniques. We are currently investigating the role of the MAPKs (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases) from changes in gene transcription to protein modification in the effects of nicotine on learning and memory. In addition he is working on determining how nicotine is working at a neural systems level to have its effect.

 

George Portugal: portugal@temple.edu
B.A. in Psychology, Pace University; M.S. in Psychology, Villanova University

Interests: George joined the lab in 2005.  Currently, he is investigating whether therapeutics for smoking cessation can reverse the effects of nicotine withdrawal on cognition.  In addition, he is interested in identifying genetic factors that may contribute to the effects of nicotine on cognitive processes. 

 

Jon Raybuck: jraybuck@temple.edu
B.A. in Psychology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania .

Interests: Jon’s research area is the neurobiology of learning and memory, with special emphasis on the effects of drugs of abuse on memory systems.  Currently his work focuses on the effects of nicotine on hippocampus-dependent memory tasks in mice. Projects include: involvement of ERK 1/2 activity in the enhancement of contextual fear conditioning, differential substrates of nicotine withdrawal associated deficits in
trace and contextual fear conditioning, characterization of learning activated ERK 1/2 following nicotine enhanced learning, and recruitment of non-cholinergic neurotransmitter systems by nicotine during learning.  Jon joined the lab in 2004 and he is supported by a pre-doctoral fellowship from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR) (T32DA07237).

EMERITUS GRADUATE STUDENTS

Michael Lewis : mlewis10@temple.edu .
B.S. in Psychology/Neuroscience, Miami University (Ohio)

Interests: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory; Intracellular signal transduction mechanisms that support long-term memory and long-term potentiation. Investigation of pathways that may support long-term memory without a requirement for gene expression. Mike received his Ph.D. in 2005.