About Our Research
Various research laboratories at George Mason University are headed by our biopsychology faculty members. Groups are focused around a faculty member's special interests, with branches in student's areas of interest. Below, you can find out about our research groups; to the left you will find links to information about our research facilities and the technology and equipment we commonly use in our research, as well as links to various presentations and publications by our faculty and students. Enjoy!
Research Groups
Dr. Susan Bachus
Since joining us 2 years ago, Dr. Bachus has set up a histochemistry lab, instituted a histochemistry class, and engaged a number of students in research projects, of which 14 have already been presented at national meetings.
For additional information, please visit Dr. Bachus's website, or contact Dr. Susan Bachus directly via email.
Dr. Jane Flinn
The Flinn laboratory is currently running studies with Sprague-Dawley rats, and with a transgenic mouse model: TgAPP2576. This model carries a transgene for human amyloid precursor protein (APP); it was developed in 1996 by Karen Hsiao at the University of Minnesota. These mice express high concentrations of beta amyloid, develop significant amyloid plaques, and display memory deficits similar to those seen in Alzheimer's disase (AD). High levels of endogenous trace metals (such as iron, copper, and zinc) are found in amyloid deposits in the human brain as well as in these mice, but their role in memory loss and AD is still unclear. Dr. Flinn's work involved exposing rats and mice to elevated levels of iron, zinc, and copper, and then examining the effect on memory and on plaque formation. Behavioral tests used in Flinn lab include the Morris water maze, novel-object recognition, and fear conditioning. Other analyses include histochemical studies with Congo red and the zinc-specific fluorophore Zinpyr-1, and synchrotron imaging to directly examine levels of metal in tissue and amyloid protein conformation. Dr. Flinn collaborates with the United State Geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Energy at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
For additional information about the transgenic mouse colony at GMU, please visit Dr. Flinn's website, or contact Dr. Jane Flinn directly via email.
Dr. Steven Schiff
Dr. Steven J. Schiff is the chief of the Neural Dynamics Laboratory. His research interests include applying advances in nonlinear dynamics to understanding the dynamics of neuronal ensembles, modulating the dynamics with electric fields, and in control of epilepsy.
For additional information, please visit the Neural Dynamics Laboratory, or contact Dr. Steven Schiff directly via email.
Dr. Robert Smith
The Smith laboratory is involved with the study of long-term behavioral and biological effects of psychotropic compounds, including nicotine and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Particular emphasis is placed on uncovering long-term neurobehavioral effects resulting from drug exposure during adolescence. Some questions currently being studied are: 1) Does adolescent drug exposure result in increased susceptibility to drug dependence in adulthood? 2) Are there associated anatomical, genetic and biochemical changes in the mesolimbic reward pathway? 3) Are there long-term changes in cognitive performance (e.g. learning and memory) that arise as a result of adolescent drug exposure?
For additional information, please visit Dr. Smith's website, or contact Dr. Craig McDonald or Dr. Robert Smith directly via email.
