Amy Lasek, PhD
Principal InvestigatorDr. Amy Lasek is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at VCU. Her research aims to discover the underlying biological factors that contribute to alcohol use disorder (AUD), with the goal of finding novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of AUD. The lab employs behavioral, pharmacological, molecular, and cellular techniques to study the role of genes and signaling pathways in the brain using mouse models of AUD.
Mila Galán-Llario, PhD
Mila investigates how astrocyte signaling pathways, particularly STAT3 and chromatin remodeling complexes, contribute to alcohol-related neuroadaptations. She combines molecular and behavioral models to study mechanisms driving binge drinking and withdrawal.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
3rd Year PhD Candidate in Pharmacology and ToxicologyAlexia Zylko
Alexia is investigating modulation of perineuronal nets as a mechanism of the psychedelic compound psilocybin's neuroplastic effects. Going forward, she aims to understand how psilocybin-induced changes to the anterior insula mediate changes to aversive memories and compulsive ethanol consumption.
2nd Year PhD Student in Pharmacology and ToxicologyLauren Soleo
Lauren studies how insula-derived aromatase modulates compulsive drinking behaviors and how estrogen signaling in the insula contributes to perineuronal net remodeling.
Rufina is interested in identifying mechanisms that confer the adolescent brain with a unique vulnerability to alcohol-induced cognitive and behavioral changes. In particular, she is exploring the effects of adolescent ethanol exposure on perineuronal net formation and remodeling, and the role of neuroimmune response in facilitating these molecular and cognitive changes.
G1 MD/PhD Student in NeuroscienceRufina Kore
Sam Sheats
Sam is investigating how pharmacological inhibition of extracellular matrix / perineuronal net protein synthesis impacts binge and aversion-resistant alcohol consumption. He aims to elucidate the mechanisms behind how different perineuronal net proteins contribute to the overall phenotypes seen in alcohol use disorder.
1st Year PhD Student in Pharmacology and ToxicologySenior Lab TechnicianEmily Legge
Emily is a senior technician, handling day-to-day activities within the lab. She works on a variety of studies related to the impact of perineuronal net manipulation on binge alcohol consumption, with a particular interest in sex-dependent effects.
