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Alexander Joseph Shackman — Dr. Alexander Shackman's lab at the University of Maryland focuses on understanding how anxiety influences behaviors related to alcohol misuse. By integrating advanced brain imaging techniques and smartphone assessments, the lab investigates the connections between brain circuits responsible for processing threats and the behaviors associated with alcohol use. The goal is to find new ways to treat alcohol misuse by identifying key factors that exacerbate anxiety and drive drinking behavior.
Jonathan Z. Simon — Dr. Jonathan Z. Simon's research lab focuses on understanding how the brain processes continuous speech, examining the neural pathways from the auditory system to language comprehension. They use advanced techniques like EEG and MEG to study how different brain areas represent speech sounds and how attention affects listening effort. The lab aims to develop innovative methods for diagnosing and treating auditory disorders, potentially leading to advanced hearing aids that are better attuned to individual needs.
Liana C Sayer — Dr. Liana C. Sayer's lab focuses on understanding how people use their time and how this influences their health and well-being. By analyzing a large collection of time diary data from various countries, the lab works to improve our understanding of population health across different social contexts. Their research has implications for public health, particularly regarding how crises like the COVID-19 pandemic affect people's daily lives and health outcomes.
Christopher M Jewell — Dr. Christopher M Jewell's lab focuses on developing innovative approaches to treat autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes by promoting immune tolerance. The lab employs techniques such as microneedle arrays to deliver therapeutic antigens and regulate immune responses, aiming to create therapies that are both effective and have fewer side effects than current treatments. Students in the lab will engage in cutting-edge research that combines engineering with immunology to explore how immune system modulation can combat autoimmune disorders.
Giuliano Scarcelli — Dr. Giuliano Scarcelli's research lab focuses on developing advanced optical microscopy techniques to study the biomechanics of cells and corneal tissues. By utilizing a novel method called pulsed Stimulated Brillouin scattering, the lab aims to create non-invasive, high-throughput imaging tools to understand how mechanical properties affect biological processes. The ultimate goal is to enhance clinical practices in ophthalmology and tissue engineering by providing more accurate biomechanical assessments.
Utpal Pal — Dr. Utpal Pal's research lab at the University of Maryland focuses on understanding the biology of ticks, especially how they interact with pathogens like the ones causing Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. The lab explores the molecular signaling pathways in ticks that influence their immune responses and development. Through this research, they aim to develop innovative strategies for tick control and prevention of tick-borne diseases.
Peter Nemes — Dr. Peter Nemes' lab at the University of Maryland focuses on developing advanced mass spectrometry techniques to study proteins in cellular environments, particularly related to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Their work aims to enhance the understanding of how protein compositions change in response to aging and disease conditions using innovative technologies. By utilizing both invertebrate and vertebrate models, the lab strives to make high-sensitivity proteomic analysis feasible for smaller biological samples, which is vital for researching complex biological processes.
Jessica F Magidson — Dr. Jessica Magidson's lab focuses on improving treatment for people struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) and polysubstance use in underserved rural communities. The lab utilizes an innovative mobile telemedicine unit to deliver addiction treatment and develops peer-delivered interventions that encourage positive behaviors to enhance treatment retention and reduce substance use. Their research is crucial in addressing the addiction crisis and improving access to care in areas where medical resources are limited.
William J Snell — Dr. William Snell's lab at the University of Maryland explores how cells communicate and fuse during fertilization using the green alga Chlamydomonas as a model system. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms behind ciliary signaling and cell adhesion, contributing to our understanding of processes that are critical in both basic biology and potential applications in treating diseases such as malaria.