This project focuses on the role of free clinics as an essential part of the healthcare “safety net” that serves those without sufficient healthcare coverage and how free clinics have the potential to provide better mental health care for Hispanic patients. My research draws from both my experience as a Spanish-English translator and public health […]
B15: Does Gender Moderate the Relation Between Parasympathetic Regulation and Empathic Behaviors
The area of research that I have focused on in this study pertains to psychology and is specifically about children’s socioemotional development. Participants were 100 children (44 girls, 56 boys) and their mothers participating in an ongoing longitudinal study, with a visit at age four and age five. To measure child empathy coders scored overall […]
B13: Effects of Morphine Withdrawal on FMOR Mice
Due to problems caused by the opioid crisis in the United States, it is necessary to find solutions for both prevention and treatment of opioid abuse. This study looks at manipulation of the FoxP2 gene in regards to changes in withdrawal symptoms with the opiate morphine. This was done by removing the mu-opioid receptors from […]
B12: How Difficulty With Accessing Healthy Foods in Shelters Contributes to Diabetes Among Homeless Adults
As the homeless population continues to increase, it is important that we pay attention to how people are being affected by certain illnesses, such as diabetes. During my time volunteering at the Refuge of Hope shelter for homeless men in Canton, Ohio, it was very apparent that the homeless population is getting hit hard by […]
B10: Behavioral Effects of N,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine and Possible Receptor Mechanisms
In the McMurray Lab, we study the behavioral and molecular effects of hallucinogenic drugs on serotonergic systems, namely the 5-HT2a receptor. Common antipsychotic drugs and hallucinogens used for mental health treatment are known to bind to the 5-HT2a receptor, and activation of this receptor is believed to lead to a downstream improvement of behavioral and […]
B09: Indicators of Hepatic and Renal Health after Psychedelic Treatment in Rats
Clinical trials on the use of psilocybin (PSL) to treat depression are promising, but still in preliminary stages. Additionionally, they are confounded by the presence of hallucinations, which may not be necessary for its clinical effectiveness, but create challenges when designing experiments. Results from our lab have also indicated potential antidepressant efficacy for a number […]
B07: Choice Modeling Framework: Snack Food Decisions Among College Students
Humans face many choices in healthy living with food choices being vital in a healthy diet. Decision makers must consider a variety of attributes and options when deciding. We investigated college students’ preferences for 16 common snack foods; the snacks ranged in health, taste, convivence, familiarity, and satiation. We looked at two 50/50 “grab bag” […]
B05: The Impact of Belonging to Minority-Based Organizations on Minority Stress Experiences in College
Minoritized students are exposed to additional unique stressors due to the systematic devaluation of their identities in the broader climate. Indeed, students holding minoritized identities (vs. those who do not) report higher levels of mental health concerns. Institutions of higher education often provide a range of resources to support students in their individual growth. One […]
B08: Effects of GASP-1 Protein on Binge-like and Aversion Resistant Drinking in C57 Mice
In the RAD lab, I currently work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, where we look at the neural pathways involved in addiction. In this study, we look at the effects of knocking out a gene found in the X chromosome in female and male rodents. Previous studies have shown that female rodents drink more alcohol […]
A56: Effectiveness of Psilocybin in Females Depends on Estrous Stage
The tryptamine psilocybin exerts its hallucinogenic effects primarily through agonism of 5-HT2A receptors. 5-HT2A receptor expression fluctuates across the estrous cycle, driven by variation in estradiol level. Therefore, it is likely that the hallucinogenic effects of the drug may also vary across the estrous cycle. The head twitch response, also called wet dog shake, can […]