Principal Investigator
Dr. Jill Turner
Dr. Jill Turner has investigated nicotinic receptors since 2002, as a graduate student with Dr. Kenneth Kellar at Georgetown University. After graduating, Jill continued her training as a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. Julie Blendy at the University of Pennsylvania. Her main interest lies in how nicotinic receptors can both help and hinder brain function. In addition to science, Jill enjoys books and traveling with her family.
Dr. Jill Turner has investigated nicotinic receptors since 2002, as a graduate student with Dr. Kenneth Kellar at Georgetown University. After graduating, Jill continued her training as a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. Julie Blendy at the University of Pennsylvania. Her main interest lies in how nicotinic receptors can both help and hinder brain function. In addition to science, Jill enjoys books and traveling with her family.
LAB MEMBERS
Miranda Fisher, Pharmacy Graduate Student
Miranda received her B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Clemson University, Greenville, SC. After her recent move to Columbia, Miranda enjoys exploring her new surroundings, as well as spending time with family, friends and her sweet dog Jasper.
PROJECT TITLE: The Role of the CREB target gene, NRG3, in Hippocampal-Related Withdrawal Phenotypes.
Miranda received her B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Clemson University, Greenville, SC. After her recent move to Columbia, Miranda enjoys exploring her new surroundings, as well as spending time with family, friends and her sweet dog Jasper.
PROJECT TITLE: The Role of the CREB target gene, NRG3, in Hippocampal-Related Withdrawal Phenotypes.
Erin Anderson, Pharmacy Graduate Student
Erin Anderson earned her B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Chemistry from North Carolina State University before working in both industry (for such companies as Bayer, Syngenta, and Karo Bio) and academia (including laboratories at Duke University (Pharmacology and Cancer Biology) and the University of South Carolina (Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences). She is returning to school to pursue a PhD in Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences. In any outside time she reads incessantly and enjoys time with her husband and overly demanding little dog.
PROJECT TITLE: LncRNAs in Nicotine Addiction
Erin Anderson earned her B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Chemistry from North Carolina State University before working in both industry (for such companies as Bayer, Syngenta, and Karo Bio) and academia (including laboratories at Duke University (Pharmacology and Cancer Biology) and the University of South Carolina (Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences). She is returning to school to pursue a PhD in Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences. In any outside time she reads incessantly and enjoys time with her husband and overly demanding little dog.
PROJECT TITLE: LncRNAs in Nicotine Addiction
Adewale Adeluyi, Pharmacy Graduate Student
Adewale received his Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan. Adewale then went on to complete his Masters of Public Health at the Arnold School of Public Health, USC. Adewale is currently working toward completion of his PhD.
PROJECT TITLE: Genomic Regulation by Chronic Nicotine and Acute Withdrawal Effects
Adewale received his Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan. Adewale then went on to complete his Masters of Public Health at the Arnold School of Public Health, USC. Adewale is currently working toward completion of his PhD.
PROJECT TITLE: Genomic Regulation by Chronic Nicotine and Acute Withdrawal Effects
Lindsey Guerin, Biochemistry Undergraduate Student
Lindsey is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She came down to USC to study Biochemistry and is working towards earning a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Neuroscience minor. She is planning to attend graduate school following her graduation next year.
PROJECT TITLE: Oxidative Stress during Nicotine Withdrawal Drives Withdrawal Phenotypes
Lindsey is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She came down to USC to study Biochemistry and is working towards earning a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Neuroscience minor. She is planning to attend graduate school following her graduation next year.
PROJECT TITLE: Oxidative Stress during Nicotine Withdrawal Drives Withdrawal Phenotypes
COLLABORATORS
Dr. Pavel Ortinski, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience at USC SOM
Dr. Ortinski's laboratory investigates neuronal correlates of addictive behaviors to understand how exposure to drugs of abuse modifies neuronal transmission in brain areas critical for reward and motivation processing. Their recent studies focused on glutamate receptor signaling in the nucleus accumbens in rats self-administering cocaine. Among other interesting findings, the lab saw that activation of dopamine (D1) receptors in cocaine exposed rats can normalize AMPA receptor signaling by recruiting cannabinoid (CB1) receptors and that cocaine elicits an adaptive interaction between extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and glutamate re-uptake transporters. These observations draw attention to the complexity of cocaine effects on neuronal signaling, but they are only a fraction of neuroadaptations known to arise following cocaine exposure. Indeed, a major unanswered question is whether it is possible to isolate those neuronal changes responsible for the expression of a “hypermotivated” state that leads to pursuit of a drug reward. To examine this and similar questions, his lab uses a variety of tools including: in vitro electrophysiology, behavioral pharmacology, molecular assays, electrochemical analyses, and imaging techniques.
Dr. Ortinski's laboratory investigates neuronal correlates of addictive behaviors to understand how exposure to drugs of abuse modifies neuronal transmission in brain areas critical for reward and motivation processing. Their recent studies focused on glutamate receptor signaling in the nucleus accumbens in rats self-administering cocaine. Among other interesting findings, the lab saw that activation of dopamine (D1) receptors in cocaine exposed rats can normalize AMPA receptor signaling by recruiting cannabinoid (CB1) receptors and that cocaine elicits an adaptive interaction between extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and glutamate re-uptake transporters. These observations draw attention to the complexity of cocaine effects on neuronal signaling, but they are only a fraction of neuroadaptations known to arise following cocaine exposure. Indeed, a major unanswered question is whether it is possible to isolate those neuronal changes responsible for the expression of a “hypermotivated” state that leads to pursuit of a drug reward. To examine this and similar questions, his lab uses a variety of tools including: in vitro electrophysiology, behavioral pharmacology, molecular assays, electrochemical analyses, and imaging techniques.
Dr. Douglas Pittman, Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, SC College of Pharmacy
Research in Dr. Pittman's laboratory focuses on the maintenance of chromosome stability by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair mechanisms. Accumulation of chromosome rearrangements is often observed during cancer progression, and using the laboratory mouse as a model system, they are studying mutations in HR genes.
Research in Dr. Pittman's laboratory focuses on the maintenance of chromosome stability by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair mechanisms. Accumulation of chromosome rearrangements is often observed during cancer progression, and using the laboratory mouse as a model system, they are studying mutations in HR genes.
Dr. Ronnie Horner, Director, Institute for the Advancement of Healthcare, Arnold School of Public Health, USC
The goal of Dr. Horner's research is to re–establish the way that universities partner with real–world health care systems. Additionally, his preclinical research interests include investigating whether protective molecules released endogenously can be utilized for the the treatment of diverse CNS diseases, such as ALS, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease.
The goal of Dr. Horner's research is to re–establish the way that universities partner with real–world health care systems. Additionally, his preclinical research interests include investigating whether protective molecules released endogenously can be utilized for the the treatment of diverse CNS diseases, such as ALS, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease.
Dr. Brett Froeliger, Departments of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, MUSC
Dr. Brett Froeliger is the Director of the Translational Research of Addiction and Integrative Neurosciences (TRAIN) Lab. The purpose of the TRAIN Lab is to investigate the neural basis of drug addiction (e.g. smoking, psychostimulant abuse) and psychiatric illness (e.g. Depression, PTSD) using cognitive and affective neuroscience theory and methods. Their approach is to provide a bridge between preclinical with human clinical trials research in order to better understand the etiology of dyregulated behavior and the effectiveness of new treatment that may ultimately, be used in the clinic.
Dr. Brett Froeliger is the Director of the Translational Research of Addiction and Integrative Neurosciences (TRAIN) Lab. The purpose of the TRAIN Lab is to investigate the neural basis of drug addiction (e.g. smoking, psychostimulant abuse) and psychiatric illness (e.g. Depression, PTSD) using cognitive and affective neuroscience theory and methods. Their approach is to provide a bridge between preclinical with human clinical trials research in order to better understand the etiology of dyregulated behavior and the effectiveness of new treatment that may ultimately, be used in the clinic.
Dr. Chanita Hughes-Halbert, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, MUSC
Dr. Chanita Hughes-Halbert is the AT&T Distinguished Endowed Chair in Cancer Equity and the leader of the Cancer Control Program at the Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC). Her research program focuses on identifying sociocultural, psychological, and environmental determinants of cancer prevention and control, translating this information into interventions, and disseminating efficacious strategies into clinical and community settings.
Dr. Chanita Hughes-Halbert is the AT&T Distinguished Endowed Chair in Cancer Equity and the leader of the Cancer Control Program at the Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC). Her research program focuses on identifying sociocultural, psychological, and environmental determinants of cancer prevention and control, translating this information into interventions, and disseminating efficacious strategies into clinical and community settings.
LAB ALUMNI
Dr. Luyi Zhou, Post-doctoral Fellow
Luyi (Lily) received her B.A. in Biotechnology (2003) from East China Normal University in Shanghai, before she went to NYC to pursue Ph.D. studies in Biology (2009) at City University of New York. After graduation, she joined Ronald See's lab at Medical University of South Carolina and later Jill Turner's lab at USC for post-doctoral training. Her studies have focused on the behavioral and molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in drug addiction. Recently, Luyi accepted a position at Southern Illinois University. She enjoys food and movies while not in the lab. She lives happily with her husband and their cute baby Alex.
PROJECT TITLE: Genetic and Functional Underpinnings of Impulsive Choices During Relapse.
Luyi (Lily) received her B.A. in Biotechnology (2003) from East China Normal University in Shanghai, before she went to NYC to pursue Ph.D. studies in Biology (2009) at City University of New York. After graduation, she joined Ronald See's lab at Medical University of South Carolina and later Jill Turner's lab at USC for post-doctoral training. Her studies have focused on the behavioral and molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in drug addiction. Recently, Luyi accepted a position at Southern Illinois University. She enjoys food and movies while not in the lab. She lives happily with her husband and their cute baby Alex.
PROJECT TITLE: Genetic and Functional Underpinnings of Impulsive Choices During Relapse.
Rachel LeMalefant, Biochemistry Undergraduate Student
Rachel graduated in 2016 with her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of South Carolina. Her academic interests include medicine and neuroscience, and she is excited to see how these two can come together in neuropharmacological research. Rachel is currently attending Drexel Medical School in Philadelphia.
PROJECT TITLE: The Role of CREB Target Genes in Nicotine Withdrawal Behaviors.
Rachel graduated in 2016 with her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of South Carolina. Her academic interests include medicine and neuroscience, and she is excited to see how these two can come together in neuropharmacological research. Rachel is currently attending Drexel Medical School in Philadelphia.
PROJECT TITLE: The Role of CREB Target Genes in Nicotine Withdrawal Behaviors.
Maria Velis, Pharmacy Student
Maria received her B.S. in Chemistry from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Currently finishing Pharmacy school here at USC, she is set to graduate in 2017. Maria has always had an interest in research. She is from Miami, FL, and she really enjoys having her family and friends visit her.
PROJECT TITLE: The Role of Neuregulin 3 - ErbB4 Signaling in Nicotine Withdrawal.
Maria received her B.S. in Chemistry from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Currently finishing Pharmacy school here at USC, she is set to graduate in 2017. Maria has always had an interest in research. She is from Miami, FL, and she really enjoys having her family and friends visit her.
PROJECT TITLE: The Role of Neuregulin 3 - ErbB4 Signaling in Nicotine Withdrawal.