Dr. David A. Kareken's lab focuses on understanding how inherited risks for alcohol use disorders (AUD) impact brain function, specifically looking at how brain connectivity changes during different mental states. The research aims to identify if these changes in brain networks contribute to difficulties in controlling behavior, especially in relation to alcohol consumption. By exploring these connections, the lab hopes to develop biomarkers that can help in the prevention and treatment of AUD.

Dr. Dongbing Lai's lab focuses on understanding the genetics behind alcohol use disorder (AUD), a significant health issue affecting many people. The lab conducts studies using both human genetic data and mouse models to identify specific genes that influence alcohol sensitivity and tolerance. By exploring these genetic factors, the lab aims to uncover new prevention and treatment strategies for AUD.

Dr. Andrew J Saykin's research lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through a comprehensive study of brain aging. The lab collaborates on a large-scale project that collects and analyzes longitudinal clinical, genetic, and neuroimaging data from diverse populations, particularly a Korean cohort. The goal is to identify early biomarkers and improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. David P. Basile's lab focuses on understanding the role of immune cells in kidney health, particularly how specific cells called Th17 lymphocytes contribute to both acute kidney injury (AKI) and the progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The lab studies how high salt intake affects these immune cells and aims to uncover new ways to prevent kidney damage. By exploring different stages of kidney injury and cell interactions, the lab aims to pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Nicolas Berbari's lab at Indiana University Indianapolis explores how a specific signaling pathway, known as Hedgehog signaling, affects energy balance in the brain. By studying neurons in the hypothalamus, the lab aims to understand how these signals can influence feeding behavior and contribute to obesity. Their research could provide insights into potential treatments for obesity and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Catherine E. Mosher's lab focuses on improving the lives of advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their caregivers through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her research specifically addresses the issues of fatigue and caregiver burden, aiming to help both patients and caregivers find more balance and engagement in their daily lives. By testing a telephone-based intervention, the lab seeks to demonstrate how psychological flexibility can enhance quality of life for those affected by cancer.

Dr. Rohan Dharmakumar's lab is focused on improving treatment strategies for patients recovering from heart attacks. The team studies how blood flow restoration after a heart attack can sometimes cause additional damage, particularly through a condition called intramyocardial hemorrhage. By using advanced cardiac imaging techniques, they are working to develop new therapies that could reduce heart failure risk and improve recovery outcomes for affected patients.

Dr. Il-Man Kim's lab focuses on understanding how to protect heart cells after a heart attack, which is crucial since the heart doesn't heal itself well. By studying specific molecules called microRNAs and their targets in heart cells and blood vessel cells, the lab aims to develop new therapies to improve heart healing and function. Their work combines laboratory models and human studies to explore how these molecules can be used to enhance recovery after heart damage.

David Emmet Nelson's lab focuses on understanding chlamydia infections in men, particularly how certain men may resist the infection and transmit it less. The research aims to explore the relationship between the male immune system, the microbiome in the urethra, and the dynamics of chlamydia infections. This work could lead to better prevention strategies for chlamydia, especially among women.

Dr. Xinna Zhang's lab at Indiana University Indianapolis focuses on enhancing the immune response against colorectal cancer by improving how tumors present antigens to the immune system. The team investigates how herbal compounds can boost the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. They aim to develop innovative strategies to make colorectal tumors more recognizable to immune cells so that treatments can work better for patients.

Dr. Kara E. Garcia's lab focuses on understanding the mechanics of brain development, particularly how brain folds form in infants. They investigate the factors that influence brain structure, especially during the crucial stages of growth in the womb and shortly after birth. By using advanced MRI techniques and computational modeling, they aim to link these developmental processes to various neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Yao-Ying Ma's lab at Indiana University Indianapolis focuses on understanding how certain brain cells contribute to cocaine addiction and relapse. By studying the excitability of specific neurons in the motor cortex, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms behind drug-seeking behavior, especially after withdrawal. The ultimate goal is to identify new targets for preventing relapse in individuals dealing with substance use disorders.

Dr. Jeffrey Dage's lab focuses on finding new biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions like progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). By studying different forms of the tau protein in the blood, the lab aims to improve early diagnosis and understanding of these diseases. Their work involves advanced techniques to analyze blood samples from clinical trials, contributing to better detection of tau-related disorders.

Dr. Howard J. Edenberg's lab focuses on understanding the genetic factors that contribute to substance use disorders (SUDs). The lab conducts experiments to identify specific genetic variants that affect gene regulation in brain cells, which could lead to significant insights into the mechanisms behind these disorders. Through innovative high-throughput techniques and computational modeling, the lab aims to create a resource of genetic variants that link to SUD risk, thereby paving the way for future prevention and treatment strategies.

Dr. Jungsu Kim's lab at Indiana University specializes in understanding the genetic factors that contribute to Alzheimer's disease, particularly focusing on the immune system's role in the disease's progression. By exploring the functions of specific genes in microglia, the brain's immune cells, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets and improve our understanding of this complex disease. Students can expect to engage in cutting-edge research that combines molecular genetics, cellular biology, and advanced imaging techniques.

Dr. Wei Luo's lab focuses on developing a universal influenza vaccine by understanding and overcoming immunodominance in B cell responses. They work on novel nanoparticle adjuvants that enhance immune response against less dominant, yet crucial parts of the influenza virus. The research aims to manipulate B cell maturation and antibody diversity to create more effective vaccines against influenza.

Dr. Miguel Moutinho's lab at Indiana University Indianapolis focuses on developing innovative therapies for Alzheimer's Disease and tauopathies using existing FDA-approved drugs. By activating a specific receptor in the brain, they aim to enhance neuroprotection and mitigate the pathological effects associated with these neurodegenerative diseases. Their research utilizes various mouse models to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments and understand the underlying biological mechanisms.

The research lab led by Dr. Yi Zhao at Indiana University focuses on advancing statistical methods to analyze complex longitudinal data in the context of neuroimaging and mental health. By developing innovative models that take into account various factors such as genetics, environmental influences, and demographic differences, the lab aims to understand brain changes associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease and the impacts of substance abuse. This work seeks to improve personalized strategies for prevention and intervention, particularly for adolescents and the elderly.

Dr. Adrian Lynn Oblak's research lab focuses on understanding how environmental factors, particularly air pollution and certain fungi, influence the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lab investigates the role of peripheral immune cells, which are crucial in responding to pollutants, in exacerbating AD neuropathology. Through their studies, they aim to identify potential biological mechanisms that connect lung health and brain function, with the goal of finding ways to mitigate the impacts of these exposures on Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Martin Joseph Richer's lab at Indiana University Indianapolis focuses on understanding how diet, specifically high salt intake, affects immune responses to viral infections. Their research investigates whether excessive salt can hinder the function of critical immune cells, particularly CD8 T cells, which play a vital role in fighting off viruses. By exploring the mechanisms involved, they aim to uncover potential therapeutic targets to improve immune function in individuals consuming high levels of dietary salt.