Dr. Huiping Zhou's lab focuses on understanding alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which is a serious condition with no FDA-approved treatments. The lab investigates the role of certain lipids, specifically sphingolipids, in liver inflammation and damage caused by alcohol consumption. By exploring how these lipids affect liver and gut health, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for preventing or treating ALD.

Dr. Terri N. Sullivan's lab focuses on reducing youth violence in communities, particularly in Richmond, Virginia. The lab works on evaluating and implementing various strategies, like participatory action research and hospital-based interventions, to improve positive youth development opportunities. They involve community members in these strategies to ensure that solutions are tailored to the specific needs of the population, aiming to create safer environments for youth.

Dr. Lankupalle D Jayanthi's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on understanding addiction, particularly in relation to amphetamines and the norepinephrine transporter (NET). The research aims to explore how modifications to the NET affect behaviors associated with substance use disorders, especially in the context of increasing psychostimulant use during the COVID-19 pandemic. By studying mutant mouse models and brain-specific mechanisms, the lab seeks to uncover new insights that could lead to more effective treatments for addiction.

Dr. Senthil Kumar Radhakrishnan's lab focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of cancer therapies, particularly through the study of proteases. They are specifically investigating the DDI2 protease, which helps cancer cells survive during treatments with proteasome inhibitors used in multiple myeloma. By identifying small molecule inhibitors of DDI2, the lab aims to improve the survival rates and treatment outcomes for cancer patients.

Dr. Ann Frances Haynos's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on understanding how decision-making processes contribute to psychiatric disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa. Through her research, the lab aims to identify the unique decision dysfunctions that lead to inflexibility in behavior, which can exacerbate conditions like anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. By combining neuroscience with economics, her team seeks to improve treatment precision for these mental health issues.

Wenhui Hu's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on developing innovative gene therapies to eliminate the HIV virus from infected cells, with a particular emphasis on brain and immune cells. They utilize advanced techniques in genome editing, specifically CRISPR/Cas systems, to create targeted delivery mechanisms that effectively reach HIV reservoirs in the body. Through their research, they hope to contribute to finding a permanent cure for HIV and addressing associated cognitive disorders.

Dr. Andrew Anthony George's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on understanding how specific interactions in the brain lead to the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. The research primarily investigates the role of cholinergic neurons and a toxic form of amyloid-beta protein (oA42) that is implicated in neuron degeneration. By exploring these molecular mechanisms, the lab aims to develop targeted treatments that can prevent or reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.

Edwin Van Den Oord's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on understanding alcohol use disorder (AUD) by investigating gene expression differences in brain cells. Using advanced techniques like single nucleus RNA sequencing, the lab aims to uncover how specific brain cell types are affected by AUD. This research will help identify potential blood biomarkers and lead to better treatment options for individuals dealing with AUD.