1. Interaction between metabolism and TBI

We have discovered that a single, severe TBI leads to changes in metabolic function that resolves mid-term (a few weeks following TBI). Dietary changes can also ameliorate some, but not all, of the TBI-induced outcomes. We are interested in identifying the metabolic regulatory pathways that may be altered in response to the TBI.

2. Effect of repetitive injury

Preliminary data from our lab suggests that there are different short- and long-term outcomes from a single, severe TBI, when compared to a less severe, repetitive injury. We are interested in further characterizing the differences in physiological, behavioral, and molecular changes triggered by repeated trauma vs. a single TBI event. We are also more broadly interested in comparing different injury paradigms to uncover common and unique injury outcomes.

3. Sex-specific outcomes following TBI

Some recent Drosophila studies have examined male and female TBI outcomes separately*, yet the majority of published research (including our own prior research) focuses on males, or mixed populations. We are interested in examining TBI-induced changes that are unique to female flies, and whether there may be treatments to mitigate the effects of TBI that are more successful in female flies.