Gilpin Lab - People

Nicholas Gilpin, PhD
Principal Investigator
ngilpi@lsuhsc.edu

I completed my undergraduate training in Psychology at University of Texas at Austin, and my Ph.D. in Psychobiology at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. I went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship in the labs of Drs. George Koob and Marisa Roberto at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA, where we used behavioral pharmacology & electrophysiology techniques to explore neural and behavioral dysregulation associated with alcohol dependence.

My lab focuses on understanding the neurobiology of addiction and stress reactivity. We are currently funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to explore the role of amygdala peptides and amygdala circuitry in escalation of alcohol use after traumatic stress exposure. I am also the Associate Director of the LSUHSC Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, the goal of which is to stimulate interdisciplinary collaborative efforts for research, teaching, and information dissemination related to alcohol and drug abuse. I am also appointed at the V.A., where my research is supported by a Merit grant. In January 2017, I received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists & Engineers (PECASE) from President Obama.

Outside the lab, I enjoy marathon training, travel, Longhorn sports, and live New Orleans jazz.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Nicholas Gilpin, PhD
ngilpi@lsuhsc.edu

INSTRUCTORS

Post-Doctoral Fellow - Elizabeth Avegno, PhD

Elizabeth Avegno, Ph.D.
eavegn@lsuhsc.edu

I received my BS in Biochemistry from Tulane University and my PhD in Pharmacology and Molecular Signaling from Columbia University. While in graduate school, my research focused on...
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Post-Doctoral Fellow - Marcus Weera, PhD

Lucas Albrechet-Souza, MSc., PhD.
ldesou@lsuhsc.edu

I received my B.S. in Biology and my Ph.D. in Psychobiology from University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. . I went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. Marcus L. Brandao at...
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LAB MANAGER

Mary Secci, Ph.D.
msecci@lsuhsc.edu

I have received my MSc in Neuropsychobiology from the University of Cagliari (Italy) and the PhD in Molecular Medicine from the University of Siena (Italy) where I focused on the neurochemical and behavioral effects of...
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POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS

Marcus Weera, Ph.D.
mweera@lsuhsc.edu

Marcus received his B.S. in Biochemistry from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Purdue University. Marcus's overarching research interest is in...
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Christian Montanari, PhD
cmont6@lsuhsc.edu

I received my BS and MSc in Psychology from Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, where I also obtained my PhD in Pharmacology. Following a brief experience as a...
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Alejandra Jacotte, PhD
mjacot@lsuhsc.edu

I received my B.S. in Pshychology from Universidad Central de Venezuela and my Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Currently, I am working as a...
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GRADUATE STUDENTS

Nathan Sharfman
nsharf@lsuhsc.edu

I received my B.S. from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN in Neuroscience, a M.S. from Tulane also in Neuroscience, and I am currently pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. at...
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Zachary Stielper
zstiel@lsuhsc.edu

I received my B.S. from Centenary College of Louisiana in Biology and Neuroscience, and I am currently pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. at Louisiana Health Sciences Center...
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Taylor Templeton
ttemp2@lsuhsc.edu

I received by B.S. in Biopsychology from University of California, Santa Barbara. Now I am pursuing my Ph.D. at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. I am currently researching...
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RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Connor Schrat
cschr1@lsuhsc.edu

I received my B.S. in Neuroscience from Rhodes College in 2016. I began my research career in 2017 at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, investigating..
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Sarah Mozingo
sfor11@lsuhsc.edu

I received my bachelor’s and master’s degree in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University. During my graduate studies, I studied under..
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PAST LAB MEMBERS