Dr. Merideth A. Addicott's lab at Wake Forest University focuses on understanding the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes on brain health. The research investigates how e-cig use compares to traditional cigarette smoking and its implications for cognitive function, brain structure, and overall physiological health in adult smokers. By exploring critical biomarkers and recovery measures, the lab aims to inform public health policies regarding smoking cessation and the relative safety of e-cigarettes.

Dr. Rong Chen's lab focuses on understanding how chronic alcohol consumption affects brain function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. The lab studies the relationship between alcohol exposure, cholesterol levels in the brain, and glutamate signaling, which is crucial for communication between neurons. By exploring these interactions, they aim to identify new targets for treating alcohol use disorders and associated behavioral issues like anxiety.

Dr. Beth A. Reboussin's research focuses on the public health implications and effects of cannabis use, especially in the context of regulatory practices and patient outcomes. Her projects investigate how product packaging influences perceptions of cannabis edibles and how these products are used by cancer patients for symptom relief. By conducting experiments and longitudinal studies, her lab aims to provide insights that will inform safer consumption practices and state policy guidelines for cannabis use.

Dr. Rita Cervera Juanes' lab studies how genetic and epigenetic factors in the brain influence the risk of developing alcohol use disorders. By analyzing the brains of alcohol-naive primates, the lab aims to uncover molecular signatures that may predict future drinking behavior. The research could lead to better identification of individuals at risk and contribute to personalized prevention strategies.

Dr. J. Mark Cline's lab focuses on investigating the long-term effects of radiation exposure using a unique cohort of nonhuman primates. They explore how radiation affects health over time, looking at diseases like diabetes and heart conditions that develop after exposure. The lab collaborates with other researchers to share findings and improve our understanding of radiation injury, which is crucial for developing better emergency responses and treatments.

Dr. Paul W. Czoty's research lab focuses on understanding cocaine use disorder (CUD) using nonhuman primate models. The lab investigates the role of nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors in addiction and aims to develop new treatments for CUD using innovative pharmacotherapies. By combining behavioral studies and advanced imaging techniques, the lab seeks to provide insights into the neurobiology of addiction and improve treatment strategies for this public health issue.

Dr. Katherine Loree Cook's lab at Wake Forest University Health Sciences focuses on understanding how diet and the gut microbiome interact to influence breast cancer risk, particularly in obese individuals. The lab investigates how metabolites produced by gut bacteria, such as hippurate, can signal through specific receptors to reduce tumor growth and improve treatment responses. Through preclinical models and clinical studies, the research aims to uncover novel strategies to link diet, microbiome health, and cancer prevention.

Dr. Waldemar Debinski's lab focuses on innovative treatments for glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive brain cancer. They are pioneering the use of drug conjugates that target specific receptors over-expressed in GBM cells, aiming to improve patient outcomes by combining direct tumor killing with immune system activation. The lab's research involves testing these therapies in preclinical models, which may pave the way for new clinical treatments.

Dr. Gagan Deep's lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through innovative methods like 'liquid biopsies'. They investigate how a special diet known as the Modified Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet impacts brain function and biomarkers in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Their research also looks at how different types of brain cells communicate and contribute to the progression of dementia, especially considering diverse populations.

Dr. Marina Gorbatyuk's lab focuses on developing new therapies for diabetic retinopathy, a significant cause of vision loss in adults. The lab is investigating the use of small molecules called RXR agonists, which can target damaged retinal cells and may help reduce inflammation and improve lipid metabolism in the retina. By using innovative drug delivery methods directly to the retina, the lab aims to create sustainable treatments for this condition and understand how these treatments work at both the cellular and molecular levels.

Dr. Jessica M Ellis's lab at Wake Forest University focuses on understanding the metabolism of an important nutrient, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fatty fish and essential for brain health. The research team aims to discover how DHA metabolism impacts neurological health and disease prevention. By creating a new animal model with reduced DHA levels in neurons, the lab seeks to uncover the benefits of DHA and how it could potentially be used to treat various neurological disorders.

Dr. Karen M. Haas leads a research lab focused on understanding how aging and biological sex influence the immune response to pneumococcal vaccines, particularly in elderly populations. Her work aims to identify why older adults, especially males and females, respond differently to vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium responsible for serious infections. By studying these differences, her lab seeks to improve vaccine design to effectively protect this at-risk group against pneumonia and other complications.

Dr. Allyn C. Howlett's lab investigates how cannabinoid receptors function in the brain, particularly focusing on a protein called CRIP1a that interacts with these receptors. This research seeks to better understand the mechanisms behind receptor signaling and how they could influence neurological health and disease, including conditions like epilepsy and mental health disorders. By studying the interplay between cannabinoid receptors and CRIP1a, the lab aims to uncover insights that may lead to selective therapeutic targets.

Dr. W Todd Lowther's lab at Wake Forest University focuses on understanding how certain compounds in our diet contribute to kidney problems, especially in patients with primary hyperoxaluria. The lab is working on developing new drugs that can block the breakdown of hydroxyproline, a component of collagen, which can lead to the production of harmful oxalates and kidney stones. Their innovative approach combines laboratory experiments with computational techniques to design effective treatments and explore how these new drugs work at a molecular level.

Dr. Christina S. Meade's lab focuses on understanding how chronic stress and substance use, particularly stimulants, impact people living with HIV. By exploring the connections between psychological stress, neuroimmune function, and mental health disorders like depression, the lab aims to develop interventions that can improve the lives of those affected by these issues. The research also looks at broader community factors that influence health outcomes among populations at risk for or living with HIV.

Rebecca Erwin Wells' lab focuses on improving the lives of people living with migraine, a condition affecting millions of Americans. The lab is developing and evaluating online, non-drug interventions that could offer effective relief from migraine symptoms without the use of opioids. By leveraging electronic health solutions, the lab aims to create scalable treatments that are accessible to a wide audience, addressing the significant health burden caused by migraines.

Dr. Michael Nader's lab focuses on understanding how social factors and sex differences influence cocaine use and addiction through studies on monkeys. By exploring the interactions between behavior, environment, and biology, the lab aims to identify effective treatment strategies for cocaine use disorders. The research could help develop personalized medicine approaches to better tackle drug addiction based on individual needs.

Dr. William H. Gmeiner's lab focuses on developing innovative nanotechnology solutions to enhance cancer treatment, specifically for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Their research is particularly centered on a specialized polymer designed to improve drug delivery and effectiveness while reducing toxicity. By utilizing advanced formulations, such as lipid nanoparticles, they aim to directly target tumors and improve the outcomes of chemotherapy.

Dr. David Kline's lab focuses on understanding and analyzing the complex issues surrounding opioid misuse in North Carolina, particularly as it relates to public health crises such as HIV and hepatitis C. They are developing advanced statistical methods to improve the accuracy of opioid misuse estimates, which will help allocate resources more effectively and inform public health initiatives. Their work integrates various data sources for a more comprehensive view of the opioid epidemic and its impact on communities.

Dr. Bonnie Sachs' lab focuses on developing and validating video-administered cognitive assessments for Alzheimer's Disease research, especially in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By adapting established cognitive batteries to video formats, the lab aims to make assessments more accessible to diverse populations who face barriers to in-person testing, such as transportation issues or financial hardships.