Research Interests

My laboratory aims to understand the mechanisms that shape brain development and lifelong behavior, with a focus on the interactions between nervous, endocrine and immune systems. We investigate how hormones and innate immune cells in the brain, such as microglia and mast cells, contribute to normal brain development and sex differences in the brain. Additionally, we study how innate immune cells and their signaling shape brain circuits and behavioral phenotypes related to neuropsychiatric disorders that are known to occur more in either males or females (e.g., autism, anxiety and mood disorders). We also examine how perinatal experiences, including immune or allergic challenge, perinatal stress, maternal and social interactions alter brain development and resulting behavior throughout life.

To accomplish these goals, we use a variety of techniques in rodents, including pharmacological and behavioral manipulations, immunohistochemistry, stereology, single cell morphological analysis, cellular and molecular biology (gene expression, protein measurement and enzymatic activity assays), primary cell culture, and behavioral testing.

Awards and Honors

• 2021: Early Career Alumni Award, Indiana University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
• 2020: Early Career Faculty Excellence Award, The Ohio State University
• 2018 – 2019: Fred Brown Research Award, The Ohio State University Department of Psychology (annually awarded for best paper published by a faculty member)
• 2015: NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
• 2015: Early Career Alumni Award, Indiana University Program in Neuroscience
• 2012: Young Investigator Award, Organization for the Study of Sex Differences
• 2011: Poster Award Winner, Society of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
• 2011: Travel Award, Society of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
• 2010: New Investigator Travel Award, Organization for the Study of Sex Differences
• 2009 – 2011: NIH T32 postdoctoral trainee: Training Program in Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore
• 2008 – 2009: Graduate Scholar Fellowship, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University
• 2008: Travel Award, International Society for Developmental Psychobiology
• 2007: Sandra G. Wiener Student Investigator Award, International Society for Developmental Psychobiology
• 2006 – 2008: NIH NICHD T32 predoctoral trainee: ‘Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity’, Indiana University
• 2005: Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
• 2005: Summer Research Incentive Fellowship Award, Indiana University
• 2004: Research Fellowship, Indiana University Department of Psychology
• 2004: Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship