Research
Current areas of research interest
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
- Impact of TBI on sleep behavior and oxidative stress