B.A., Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado
M.S., Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado
Ph.D., Integrative Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver, Colorado
Research Interests:
Our lab has demonstrated the stress-protective effects of immunization with M. vaccae, as measured by prevention of inescapable stress (IS)-induced increases in anxiety, conditioned fear, escape deficits, and prevention of priming of hippocampal microglia. I am also working on a project with the Rocky Mountain Veterans Affairs investigating the effects of an immunoregulatory probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on the gut microbiota, biological signatures of inflammation, and PTSD symptoms. I am specifically interested in using proteomics, metabolomics, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics techniques to determine the neural mechanism(s) underlying stress-buffering effects of microbiome-based interventions.