Stefanik Lab news:
The first Stefanik Lab publication is now out!
October 2022: The lab’s first manuscript examining the role of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in the incubation of oxycodone craving was published in Addiction Biology.
First, we show that GluA2-lacking, calcium-permeable AMPA receptors emerge following extended access oxycodone self-administration and forced abstinence in the nucleus accumbens core and shell subregions in male rats. Then, using intra-cranial pharmacological inactivation of these receptors, we can reduce the time-dependent intensification ("incubation") of oxycodone seeking, similar to what is seen with other drugs of abuse. Important work demonstrating a conserved mechanism by which multiple different drugs of abuse produce intensified drug craving. Very thankful for all those who contributed, especially the two North Central student co-authors Ben Wong (‘21) and Alexa Zimbelman (‘20)!
Dr. Stefanik awarded College honor for distinguished teaching.
August 2022: Dr. Stefanik was awarded the 2022 North Central College Distinguished Teaching Award for Junior Faculty.
Megan Vogel (‘22) wins 2nd place at Chicago SFN meeting.
March 2022: Senior Behavioral Neuroscience major Megan Vogel took home the 2nd place prize in the undergraduate poster competition at the annual Chicago Society for Neuroscience meeting. Her thesis project “Ketamine-aided forced abstinence reduces incubation of oxycodone craving in male Sprague-Dawley rats” was supported by a Richter Grant.
Itzel Soriano (‘22) and Maria Zarate (‘22) each awarded “Top 25 Abstracts” at LSMRCE conference.
September 2021: Both Itzel’s and Maria’s abstracts for their thesis work were selected as “Top 25 Abstracts” from more than 700 attendees at the recent Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center for Excellence: Empowering Diverse STEM Innovators annual conference. Additionally, Maria took home the 4th place overall prize for the presentation of her work.
Ben Wong (‘21) named to Academic All-American First Team for second time.
July 2021 : Ben Wong has been selected to the 2020-2021 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) NCAA Division III Academic All-America First Team, in recognition of his academic excellence and performance on the field. This is the second consecutive time he has received this prestigious award. Read more about it here.
Summer Research 2021 begins!
Eight summer research assistants will investigate the changes in neuronal activation during the incubation of oxycodone craving. Summer support for four of them generously supplied by the NCC Summer Undergraduate Research Program and an NSF PUMA-STEM grant!
Ben Wong (‘21) receives Mark A. Reid leadership award for the Class of 2021.
May 2021: Ben was also named the Outstanding Major in Neuroscience for the class of 2021.
Jacob Greenberg (‘22) receives Research Fulbright.
April 2021: Jacob was awarded a research award from Fulbright Canada to study the effects of cannabinoids on sleep and breathing at the University of Alberta - Edmonton during the Summer 2021.
Alexa Zimbelman (‘20) awarded Outstanding Major in Neuroscience.
May 2020: Alexa was selected as the top neuroscience student in the class of 2020. She completed research with both Drs. Gill and Stefanik during her time at NCC. Alexa will be starting a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Iowa in the lab of Dr. Ryan LaLumiere in the fall.
Jordan Nowlin (‘21) selected for top behavioral neuroscience grant proposal in the nation.
April 2020: Senior Jordan Nowlin’s thesis proposal '“Quantifying reactive astrogliosis following prolonged forced abstinence from oxycodone self-administration” was selected for the G. Andrew Mickley Award from Nu Rho Psi (the national neuroscience honor society) as the top behavioral neuroscience grant proposal. In addition, Jordan received a Nu Rho Psi research grant to support his work.
Ben Wong (‘21) named to Academic All-American First Team.
December 2019: Ben Wong has been selected to the 2019 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) NCAA Division III Academic All-America First Team, in recognition of his academic excellence. Read more about it here.
Stefanik Lab begins…
Summer 2019 marks the first round of experiments in the new Stefanik Lab! Seven summer research assistants included!