Zach Zeisler
Neuroscience PhD Candidate
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York City
ABOUT ME
Interested in the neural basis of cognition and evolutionary mechanisms of brain expansion.
Passionate about research, travel, and food.
Proud user of open source data science tools and proponent of open science.
I'm a third-year PhD candidate in Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. I received my BS in Neuroscience and my BA in Latin from Mercer University in May, 2019. At Mercer, I worked in the lab of Dr. Katie Northcutt for three years, studying the neural basis of play behavior in rats. I also had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in both Greece and Sicily as part of my Latin training, thanks to the generous support of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation..
At Sinai, I'm doing my thesis work in the Rudebeck Lab, where my projects are focused around comparing the nature of interactions between amygdala and frontal cortex across multiple species. I'm interested in the evolution of prefrontal cortex in particular, and how large-scale changes in brain structure throughout evolution might be reflected in both neuroanatomy and neuronal physiology. I'm also passionate about applying modern data science techniques to neuroscience data.
For my thesis, I'm applying novel sequencing-based neuroanatomy techniques to understand the structural basis of frontal brain networks (out on bioRxiv now!). Then, primarily using Python (as well as other statistical programming platforms), I'm comparing the statistical structure of neural spiking activity from a number of model species commonly used in neuroscience. Finally, I'm gearing up to begin an electrophysiology project to confirm in vivo the features I've identified in the pervious two aims.
When I'm not in the lab, I'm involved in a couple of outreach groups, including MiNDS, where I teach introductory neuroscience courses to middle school students in East Harlem (or, at least I did before COVID; we have done some virtual classes until we're allowed back in person). I am also on the executive board of Project SHORT, an organization that provides pro bono consulting to prospective MD and PhD students from communities traditionally underrepresented in STEM -- I lead outreach for PhD students, and I recently oversaw a major redesign of our website. Outside of science, I enjoy learning to cook new recipes, skateboarding around New York City, and playing with my two cats, Luna and Lark.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Interested in my experience? Get a copy of my CV.
Feel free to contact me for more info.
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Statistical Programming
R, Python, MATLAB
Stereotactic Surgery
NHPs and Rodents
Structural MRI Analysis
Injection targeting, projection distances
RNAseq Analysis
BioJupies, IPA, gProfiler
RNA Isolation
PCR Genotyping
DNA extraction, gel preparation
qPCR
Immunohistochemistry
Rodent Behavioral Assays
Locomotor activity, social interactions, three-chamber sociality, inhibitory avoidance
Transgenic Mouse Lines
Fmr1 KO, Shank3 KO
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The Primate Amygdala: A comparative analysis of anatomical projections and physiology
Thesis Project, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Single-neuron resolution neuroanatomy in NHPs and mice
• Data science project comparing spiking activity across species
• Electrophysiological recording task in NHPs
Advisor: Dr. Peter Rudebeck, Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry
Neuromatch Academy
July and August 2020
Mechanisms underlying strain differences in juvenile play behavior
August 2018 - May 2019, Mercer University
Advisor: Dr. Katharine Northcutt, Department of Biology
Characterizing Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome
Summer 2018, Mercer University College of Pharmacy
• Designed and executed inhibitory avoidance, c-Fos immunoreactivity experiment
• Performed behavioral tests, analyzed data using GraphPad
• Cared for mice, assisted in management of breeding colony
• Prepared mass-appropriate doses of novel drug compound
• Genotyped mice using PCR and electrophoresis
• Assisted in development of autoradiography films
• Participated in weekly journal and data club meetings
• Prepared poster summarizing work throughout summer
Advisor: Dr. Clinton Canal, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Developmental Hyperserotonemia
Fall 2016 - July 2018, Mercer University
• Cared for rats, prepared and administered daily injections to dams to induce ASD-like symptoms in offspring
• Performed perfusions, sectioned brains, and performed immunohistochemistry
• Photographed and counted cells in particular brain areas, analyzed data using SPSS
• Prepared posters and presentations for various audiences
Advisor: Dr. Katharine Northcutt, Department of Biology
Non-accidental Trauma Screening Protocol
Summer 2015, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
• Analyzed patient records to assess effectiveness of screening protocol
• Collaborated with physicians, research staff, and social workers
• Participated in research symposium at end of summer
Advisor: Dr. Richard Falcone, Department of Trauma Services
PRESENTATIONS
Below are posters I have presented at various meetings.
The descriptions below each meeeting are links to the poster or presentation.
Mechanisms underlying strain differences in juvenile play behavior
Spring 2019; Macon, GA
International Congress of Neuroendocrinology
July 15-18, 2018; Toronto, Ontario
Society for Neuroscience
November 11-15, 2017; Washington, DC
Neuroscience Capstone Seminar
Spring 2018; Macon, GA
© Zach Zeisler, 2018