<a href=”https://people.clas.ufl.edu/knack/files/lab-photo.jpg” rel=”attachment wp-att-197″></a> Back row (L-R): Austin Guerrina (u), Yasmin Padovan Hernandez (u), Lizhen Wu, Lori Knackstedt, Javier Mesa (g), Harrison Blount (u), Daniel Fierro (u), Carly Logan (g). Front row: Ashleigh Polo (u), Virginia Hodges (u), Wetnys Anestal (u). Not pictured: Courtney Wilkinson (g). g= graduate student; u = undergraduate
GRADUATE STUDENTS
<a href=”https://people.clas.ufl.edu/knack/files/Javier.jpeg” rel=”attachment wp-att-247″></a> <strong>Javier Mesa</strong><br />Javier is a third year Ph.D. student. His research analyzes glutamatergic projections underlying cue-primed cocaine relapse. He is trained in immunohistochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, and cocaine self-administration extinction reinstatement model of relapse. Javier enjoys hiking, trivia, and poker.<a href=”https://people.clas.ufl.edu/knack/files/courtney-pipetting.jpg” rel=”attachment wp-att-249″></a> <strong>Courtney Wilkinson</strong><br />Courtney is a second-year graduate student. Her research will utilize the behavioral economic demand theory in addiction to assess the reinforcing efficacy of opiates in rats with PTSD-like symptoms. Using microdialysis and HPLC, Courtney plans to further explore the neurobiological differences in glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine levels in resilient and stress-susceptible rats in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus.
UNDERGRADUATES
<a href=”https://people.clas.ufl.edu/knack/files/Giselle-poster.jpeg” rel=”attachment wp-att-246″></a> <strong>Giselle Rojas</strong><br />Giselle is an undergraduate student who entered the lab in June 2019. Her first project was to investigate the effects of systemically-administered oxytocin on nucleus accumbens glutamate and dopamine levels. Giselle is also investigating the circuitry involved in mediating cued cocaine-seeking after forced and voluntary abstinence. Giselle is funded by the MARC GatorSTAR program, a NIGMS funded T34 for undergraduate students planning to pursue a PhD in biomedical or behavioral science.
