Our Research Projects
Below are the active projects the WAVES Lab is working on. We are actively writing grants to achieve funding for many of these projects.
Environmental Impacts on Fish Ecology
We aim to characterize the impacts of anthropogenic influence on fish ecology & biomarkers in imperiled water systems in East Tennessee. In doing so, we aim to develop methods to rapidly assess and respond to threats to aquatic ecosystem health. This work is supplemented by laboratory research investigating the effects of common pollutants and environmental changes in captive-bred zebrafish.
Kisspeptin & Stress Resilience
The neuropeptide Kisspeptin serves as an upstream mediator of gonadal steroid hormones in vertebrates, and its functionality can be influenced by environmental factors such as pollutants and temperature changes. Recent evidence suggests kisspeptin may also play a role in the regulation of fear & anxiety. We aim to delineate how environmental changes may influence kisspeptin-dependent changes in fear & anxiety.
Pharmaceutical Modulators of Stress
Many commercial pharmaceuticals aim to treat depression and stress-related disorders through alterations of the serotonergic system. More recent evidence suggests that pharmaceuticals targeting BDNF and Reelin may provide greater efficacy in treatment. We aim to characterize changes in depression & anxiety-like behaviors and associated neuronal activity in response to BDNF and Reelin-promoting pharmaceutical agents.