Recent Research Funding

Our faculty secure major research grants from various National Institutes of Health as well as private sources.

Jessy Alexander, PhD

  • NIH R01. Jessy Alexander (Principal Investigator). National Institute of Health. $717,750. 7/1/2018-7/1/2021.
  • American Hearing Research Foundation. Jessy Alexander (Principal Investigator). American Hearing Research Foundation. $20,000. 1/1/2018-12/1/2018.
  • course infusion award. Jessy Alexander (Principal Investigator). University at Buffalo. $785. 1/1/2018-4/1/2018.

Stylianos Andreadis, PhD

Caroline Bass, PhD

  • Role of inhibitory GABA Projections from the Ventral Tegmental Area in Motivation Learning. Caroline Bass (Principal Investigator). Whitehall Foundation. $225,000. 1/1/2018-12/1/2020.
  • Targeted chemogenetic stimulation of rat VTA GABA neurons in cocaine extinction and reinstatement. Caroline Bass (Principal Investigator). National Institute on Drug Abuse. $413,625. 9/1/2017-8/1/2019.

Ralph Benedict, PhD

Arin Bhattacharjee, PhD

  • Disrupting ion channel scaffolding to treat neuropathic pain. Arin Bhattacharjee (Principal Investigator). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. $1,901,925. 9/1/2019-3/1/2024.
  • The role of the AP2 adaptor complex in inflammatory pain. Arin Bhattacharjee (Principal Investigator). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. $426,725. 4/1/2019-3/1/2021.

Ira Blader, PhD

  • TOXOPLASMA GONDII REGULATION OF HOST GABAERGIC SIGNALING. Ira Blader (Co-Principal Investigator). NIH/NIAID. 2/1/2016-1/1/2021.
  • GLYCOREGULATION OF SKP1 IN THE CYTOPLASM AND NUCLEUS. Ira Blader (Co-Principal Investigator). NIH/NIGMS. 1/1/2015-5/1/2019.
  • Control of Toxoplasma gondii Growth by the Host Cell Transcription Factor HIF1. Ira Blader (Co-Investigator). NIH/NIAID. 4/1/2006-1/1/2022.

Thomas Covey, PhD

  • The effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms on behavioral, psychological, and neurophysiological measures of decision making in police officers. Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator). National Institutes of Justice. $814,158. 1/1/2018-1/1/2020.
  • The effects of working memory training on brain function, structure, and cognition in MS. Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), Ralph Benedict (Co-Investigator), Michael Dwyer, III (Co-Investigator), David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator), Bianca Weinstock-Guttman (Co-Investigator), Robert Zivadinov (Co-Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $622,839. 6/1/2017-6/1/2020.
  • Neurocognitive, electrophysiological and MRI changes associated with low level laser therapy (photobiomodulation) in the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury: A pilot study. Thomas Covey (Co-Investigator), Praveen Arany (Principal Investigator), Thomas Mang (Co-Principal Investigator), David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator). American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. $68,000. 10/1/2016-11/1/2017.

David Dietz, PhD

  • Cocaine-induced neuroplasticity:a new role for TGF beta signaling. David Dietz (Principal Investigator). NIDA. $1,250,000. 6/1/2014-5/1/2019.

Margarita Dubocovich, PhD, FASPET, FACNP

Michael Duffey, PhD

  • Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea. Michael Duffey (Co-Investigator), Mark Parker (Principal Investigator), Sangita Patel (Co-Investigator). NIH National Eye Institute. $1,972,804. 2/1/2018-1/1/2023.
  • Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea (NIH R01 EY028580). Michael Duffey (Co-Investigator), Mark Parker (Principal Investigator), Sangita Patel (Co-Investigator). NIH. 1/1/2018-1/1/2023.

Michael Dwyer, III, PhD

Leonard Epstein, PhD

  • Enhancing Alternatives to Eating in Infants. Leonard Epstein (Co-Investigator), Kai Ling Kong (Co-Investigator). Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. $2,683,730. 8/1/2016-7/1/2021.
  • Can Reinforcing Alternatives to Food Prevent Weight Gain in Children?. Leonard Epstein (Principal Investigator). Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. $1,723,154. 8/1/2016-7/1/2021.
  • The Effectiveness of Family-based Weight Loss Treatment Implemented in Primary Care – CCC – Lead Application. Leonard Epstein (Principal Investigator), Teresa Quattrin (Co-Investigator). National Institutes of Health. $5,615,697. 6/1/2016-5/1/2021.

M. Laura Feltri, MD

  • The peripheral nervous system: a window over Krabbe disease. M. Laura Feltri (Principal Investigator). NIH-NINDS. $2,074,062. 2/1/2019-1/1/2024.
  • The prohibitin family and their function in myelination and axonal health. M. Laura Feltri (Principal Investigator). NIH-NINDS. $1,704,880. 12/1/2016-11/1/2021.
  • Laminin receptors and signals in Schwann cells. M. Laura Feltri (Principal Investigator). NIH-NINDS. $1,729,962. 7/1/2003-3/1/2019.

Jian Feng, PhD

  • A Novel Epigenetic Mechanism for Alzheimer's Disease. Jian Feng (Co-Investigator), Zhen Yan (Principal Investigator). NIH. $1,993,750. 4/1/2017-3/1/2022.
  • Kinetic Barriers of Transdifferentiation. Jian Feng (Principal Investigator). Department of Veterans Affairs. 4/1/2014-3/1/2018.

Steven Fliesler, PhD

Richard Gronostajski, PhD

  • Role of Nfi genes in neural stem cell homeostasis. Richard Gronostajski (Principal Investigator). NYSTEM (NYSDOH). $1,073,067. 12/1/2015-11/1/2018.

Daniel Kosman, PhD

  • Ferroportin and APP: Regulation of Iron Trafficking at the Blood-Brain Barrier. Daniel Kosman (Principal Investigator). NIDDS. $1,955,930. 8/1/2017-6/1/2022.

Jun-Xu Li, MD, PhD

  • TAAR1 agonists for nicotine addiction. Jun-Xu Li (Principal Investigator). National Institute on Drug Abuse. $1,986,083. 4/1/2019-2/1/2024.

Xiuqian Mu, MD, PhD

  • Regulation of mRNA decay in retinal development and maintenance. Xiuqian Mu (Principal Investigator). National Eye Institute. $2,024,085. 4/1/2020-3/1/2024.
  • Regulatory mechanisms for retinal ganglion cell genesis. Xiuqian Mu (Principal Investigator). National Institutes of Health. $1,960,167. 9/1/2017-5/1/2022.
  • Generation of retinal ganglion cells by direct reprograming. Xiuqian Mu (Principal Investigator). BrightFocus Foundation. $150,000. 6/1/2016-5/1/2018.

Pablo Paez, PhD

  • Voltage-gated calcium channels in reactive astrocytes, a possible therapeutic target to reduce brain inflammation and promote remyelination in MS. Pablo Paez (Principal Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $507,000. 4/1/2019-3/1/2022.
  • Modulation of oligodendrocyte development by voltage-operated calcium channels. Pablo Paez (Principal Investigator). NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. $1,742,160. 6/1/2013-5/1/2019.

Jinwoo Park, PhD

  • Mapping Heterogeneous Dopamine Signaling in Subregions of the Olfactory Tubercle and Its Effect on Psychostimulant-induced Behaviors. Jinwoo Park (Principal Investigator). NIH/NIDA. $408,034. 7/1/2018-6/1/2020.
  • Noradrenergic Modulation of Dopaminergic Neuronal Functions. Jinwoo Park (Principal Investigator). Whitehall Foundation. $225,000. 9/1/2017-8/1/2020.

Yungki Park, PhD

  • Transcription mechanism of Myrf for central nervous system myelination. Yungki Park (Principal Investigator), Jun Qu (Co-Investigator). NIH. 9/1/2015-6/1/2020.

Mark Parker, PhD

  • Renal considerations in the heat stress and hydration recommendations. Mark Parker (Co-Investigator). NIH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 9/1/2019-8/1/2024.
  • Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea. Mark Parker (Principal Investigator), Michael Duffey (Co-Investigator), Sangita Patel (Co-Investigator). NIH National Eye Institute. $1,972,804. 2/1/2018-1/1/2023.
  • Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea (NIH R01 EY028580). Mark Parker (Principal Investigator), Michael Duffey (Co-Investigator), Sangita Patel (Co-Investigator). NIH. 1/1/2018-1/1/2023.

Sangita Patel, MD, PhD

  • Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea. Sangita Patel (Co-Investigator), Michael Duffey (Co-Investigator), Mark Parker (Principal Investigator). NIH National Eye Institute. $1,972,804. 2/1/2018-1/1/2023.
  • NIH K08 (EY029007) Sex disparity and estradiol in Fuchs‘ endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sangita Patel (Principal Investigator). NIH. $854,900. 1/1/2018-1/1/2023.
  • Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea (NIH R01 EY028580). Sangita Patel (Co-Investigator), Michael Duffey (Co-Investigator), Mark Parker (Principal Investigator). NIH. 1/1/2018-1/1/2023.

Gabriela Popescu, PhD

  • Permeation Mechanisms in NMDA receptors. Gabriela Popescu (Principal Investigator). NIH/NINDS. $1,373,000. 3/1/2016-2/1/2020.
  • MECHANICAL ACTIVATION OF NMDA RECEPTORS. Gabriela Popescu (Principal Investigator). NINDS. $275,000. 1/1/2016-1/1/2018.

Daesung Shin, PhD

  • Selective galactosylceramidase ablation to study the pathogenesis of Krabbe leukodystrophy. Daesung Shin (Principal Investigator). NIH-NINDS. $1,395,624. 12/1/2019-11/1/2023.
  • The peripheral nervous system: A window into Krabbe disease. Daesung Shin (Co-Investigator). NIH-NINDS. $2,129,163. 2/1/2019-1/1/2024.

David Shucard, PhD FAASM

  • The effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms on behavioral, psychological, and neurophysiological measures of decision making in police officers. David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator). National Institutes of Justice. $814,158. 1/1/2018-1/1/2020.
  • The effects of working memory training on brain function, structure, and cognition in MS. David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Ralph Benedict (Co-Investigator), Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), Michael Dwyer, III (Co-Investigator), Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator), Bianca Weinstock-Guttman (Co-Investigator), Robert Zivadinov (Co-Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $622,839. 6/1/2017-6/1/2020.
  • Neurocognitive, electrophysiological and MRI changes associated with low level laser therapy (photobiomodulation) in the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury: A pilot study. David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Praveen Arany (Principal Investigator), Thomas Covey (Co-Investigator), Thomas Mang (Co-Principal Investigator). American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. $68,000. 10/1/2016-11/1/2017.

Janet Shucard, PhD

  • The effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms on behavioral, psychological, and neurophysiological measures of decision making in police officers. Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator), Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator). National Institutes of Justice. $814,158. 1/1/2018-1/1/2020.
  • The effects of working memory training on brain function, structure, and cognition in MS. Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator), Ralph Benedict (Co-Investigator), Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), Michael Dwyer, III (Co-Investigator), David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Bianca Weinstock-Guttman (Co-Investigator), Robert Zivadinov (Co-Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $622,839. 6/1/2017-6/1/2020.

Fraser Sim, PhD

  • Muscarinic Receptor Type 3 Regulation of Oligodendrocyte ProgenitorDifferentiation. Fraser Sim (Principal Investigator). NIH/NINDS. $1,744,530. 12/1/2017-11/1/2022.
  • Modeling human cell-based remyelination in large chronic demyelinating lesions. Fraser Sim (Principal Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $44,000. 11/1/2017-10/1/2018.
  • Targeting extracellular sulfatases to accelerate oligodendrocyte progenitor-based myelin repair and regeneration. Fraser Sim (Principal Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $579,900. 10/1/2017-9/1/2020.

Lawrence Wrabetz, MD

  • Grants and Sponsored Research(selected). Lawrence Wrabetz (Principal Investigator). 12/1/2007-12/1/2020.

Zhen Yan, PhD

  • NEW TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. Zhen Yan (Co-Principal Investigator). NIH. $438,625. 4/1/2020-3/1/2022.
  • A Novel Epigenetic Mechanism for Alzheimer's Disease. Zhen Yan (Principal Investigator), Jian Feng (Co-Investigator). NIH. $1,993,750. 4/1/2017-3/1/2022.
  • Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Autism. Zhen Yan (Principal Investigator). Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation. $540,000. 2/1/2016-1/1/2019.

Sarah Zhang, MD

  • Molecular Mechanisms of Severe Diabetic Retinopathy. Sarah Zhang (Principal Investigator). NIH. 2/1/2020-1/1/2024.
  • Targeting Neuroinflammation for RGC Protection in Glaucoma. Sarah Zhang (Principal Investigator). BrightFocus Foundation. 7/1/2019-6/1/2021.
  • ER stress and diabetic retinopathy (Admin Supplements). Sarah Zhang (Principal Investigator). NIH, NEI. 9/1/2018-8/1/2020.

Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD

  • The effects of working memory training on brain function, structure, and cognition in MS. Robert Zivadinov (Co-Investigator), Ralph Benedict (Co-Investigator), Thomas Covey (Co-Principal Investigator), Michael Dwyer, III (Co-Investigator), Janet Shucard (Principal Investigator), David Shucard (Co-Principal Investigator), Bianca Weinstock-Guttman (Co-Investigator). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $622,839. 6/1/2017-6/1/2020.
  • Cholesterol Biomarkers and Oxysterols in Multiple Sclerosis Progression. Robert Zivadinov (Co-Investigator). NINDS. 7/1/2016-7/1/2018.
  • Physiological mechanisms of a biomarker of recovery from concussion. Robert Zivadinov (Co-Investigator). National Institute of Health. 4/1/2016-4/1/2021.