Zach Zeisler
Neuroscience PhD Student
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.
I'm a first-year PhD student 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 Greece and Sicily as part of my Latin training.
In addition to taking my core courses here at Sinai, I'm to doing my thesis work in the Rudebeck Lab, where currently, I am starting a project that will examine the structure and function of amygdala-prefrontal cortex connections, as well as some cross-species comparisons.
I am getting 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). I am also on the executive board of Project SHORT, an organization that provides pro bono consulting to prospective MD and PhD students from underrepresented communities. Outside of science, I enjoy learning to cook new recipes, skateboarding around New York City, and travelling to new places.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Interested in my experience? Get a copy of my CV.
Feel free to contact me for more info.
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Stereotactic Surgery
NHPs and Rodents
Structural MRI Analysis
ImageJ: injection targeting, projection distances
Statistical Analysis
R, Python, Matlab, SPSS, GraphPad Prism, JMP, Excel
RNAseq Analysis
BioJupies, IPA, gProfiler
RNA Isolation
PCR Genotyping
DNA extraction, gel preparation
qPCR
Immunohistochemistry
Tyrosine hydroxylase, c-Fos
Rodent Behavioral Assays
Locomotor activity, social interactions, three-chamber sociality, inhibitory avoidance
Transgenic Mouse Lines
Fmr1 KO, Shank3 KO
RESEARCH PROJECTS
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