People
Principle Investigator
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Mary Kay Lobo, PhD
Principal Investigator mklobo@som.umaryland.edu, Pubmed Mary Kay was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her B.S. in Biology with an minor in Anthropology at UCLA. She stayed on at UCLA for her P.h.D in Neuroscience in X. William Yang's Lab. She then moved to Dallas, Texas to start her Postdoc with Eric Nestler at UT Southwestern and one year later moved with the Nestler lab to Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, NY. Mary Kay joined the department of Anatomy and Neurobiology in 2011. When she is not busy with science she is hanging out with her rescue pups, Baloo and Maisie. |
Research Faculty
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Ramesh Chandra, PhD
Assistant Professor rchandra@som.umaryland.edu, Pubmed Ramesh obtained his Ph.D. degree in Zoology in 2010 from Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India. He joined Dr. Lobo’s lab as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in July 2012 to utilize his extensive Molecular Biology skills in the field of Neuroscience. His current research project broadly focuses on cell type specific transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms in the two nucleus accumbens (NAc) projection neurons in cocaine abuse. He is using molecular approaches to manipulate gene expression in the two NAc projection neurons to determine their role in cocaine mediated behaviors. In his free time he likes to explore Baltimore and eat Chinese food. |
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Sergio Dominguez Lopez, PhD
Assistant Professor sergiodominguezlopez@som.umaryland.edu, , Pubmed Sergio obtained his B.Sc. in Chemical-Pharmaceutical-Biology and his M.Sc. in Neuroethology from the University of Veracruz, Mexico. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Neuroscience Program of McGill University in Montreal, Canada, working under the supervision of Dr. Marco Leyton and Dr. Gabriella Gobbi. In his Ph.D. research, Sergio discovered daily rhythms in the firing activity of serotonin and dopamine neurons using single-unit extracellular recordings in anesthetized rats. In 2014, he moved to the US to work with Dr. Michael Beckstead, first at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSCSA) and then at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). In his postdoctoral research, Sergio studied the effects of psychostimulants in the dopaminergic system using mice models of operant drug self-administration. Sergio started working under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Kay Lobo and joined her lab in the Summer of 2021. Sergio’s research interest include understanding how brain circuits are modified by abused substances, characterizing the molecular and metabolic changes that shape compulsive-seeking behavior. Sergio likes to spend his free time with his family on field trips around the Baltimore area (or watching movies at home). |
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Benjamin Siemsen, PhD
Research Associate, Pubmed bsiemsen@som.umaryland.edu Benjamin completed his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biology at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2013 and his PhD in Neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina under the direction of Jacqueline McGinty in 2018. His dissertation work focused on the role of prelimbic cortical structural and synaptic plasticity in cocaine addiction using preclinical, self-administration models. He stayed at MUSC as a postdoctoral fellow under the direction of Michael Scofield where he focused on drug-induced adaptations in the structure and function of glial cells in the nucleus accumbens. Benjamin recently joined the Lobo lab to study the impact of stress and opioids on microglia motility in the nucleus accumbens. Outside of the lab, Benjamin can be found hanging out with his rescue dog Kramer. |
Postdoctoral Fellows
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Cali Calarco, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pubmed ccalarco@som.umaryland.edu After receiving a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Vassar College, with a minor in Art History, Cali obtained a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Yale University in 2018. Her Ph.D. work focused on understanding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression and function in the hypothalamus with respect to the regulation of food intake after nicotine exposure. Cali joined the Lobo Lab as a postdoctoral fellow to study the cell-type selective changes in mitochondrial dynamics and gene expression in the nucleus accumbens after exposure to drugs of abuse. Cali is interested in science education, mental health advocacy, community science outreach, and promoting diversity in STEM. Outside the lab, Cali enjoys cooking, reading, listening to podcasts, tap dancing, and exploring Baltimore. |
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Rianne Campbell, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pubmed rcampbell@som.umaryland.edu Rianne received her B.S. degree in Biopsychology from University of California, Santa Barbara in 2014. She stayed on as a lab technician in Dr. Szumlinski's lab, where Rianne further developed her interest in molecular mechanisms of drug addiction. She then moved down the California coast to do her graduate work in Dr. Marcelo Wood's lab at University of California, Irvine. Her Ph.D. was focused on understanding how an epigenetic modifier, HDAC3, regulates cocaine-induced neuroplasticity and behavior in a cell-type specific manner within the nucleus accumbens. She completed her Ph.D. in Neurobiology in 2020 and joined the Lobo lab. As a postdoctoral fellow, Rianne aims to study how drugs of abuse induce cell-type and circuit specific neuroadaptations within the ventral pallidum. When not in lab, Rianne likes to bake, go for a run, and cozy up with a book and her cat Sir Ian McKellen. |
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Jimmy Olusakin, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pubmed jolusakin@som.umaryland.edu Jimmy obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc degrees in Anatomy from Nigeria. In 2014, he received an Ecole des neuroscience (ENP) PhD fellowship to study neuroscience at the Sorbonne Universities in Paris. Under the supervision of Dr. Patricia Gasper, he worked on the critical periods for emotional development. He's PhD thesis was focused on the molecular mechanisms of postnatal exposure to fluoxetine (an antidepressant) and how this impacts on emotional development in mice. He showed that developmental dis-regulation of the serotonin 7 receptor (5-HT7R) had long-lasting effects on adult prefrontal cortex - dorsal raphe circuitry and emotional behaviours in mice. He completed his PhD in September 2019. He then went on to do a one year postdoctoral training in the lab of Prof. Denis Jaboudan at the University of Geneva, where he worked on characterising the mouse model with the chromosomal 22q11.2 deletion - a mouse model for schizophrenia. In November 2020, he joined the Lobo lab. In the lab he will focus on the molecular and transcriptional changes resulting from perinatal and postnatal opioid administration in mice and how these impact neuronal morphology and behaviours. Outside lab duties, Jimmy enjoys Poetry and taking long walks. |
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Surbhi Lambhate Hajirnis, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pubmed shajirnis@som.umaryland.edu On completing her masters degree in biotechnology at the University of Hyderabad, India, Surbhi did her PhD in cell biology from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad. She focused her PhD work on understanding the mechanisms involved in degradation of isocitrate dehydragenase 2 enzyme (mitochondrial protein) and how it contributes to increase in ROS during mitosis. During her PhD she was supervised by Dr. Nishant Jain. She completed her PhD in December of 2021 and joined the Lobo lab in April of 2022. Her interests in the mitochondria and neuroscience drove her to join Lobo lab where she will understand the role of mitochondria in reward circuits in drug abusive mice. Outside of lab, Surbhi enjoys gardening, yoga, painting, cooking with her husband and exploring new places. She also wishes to one day adopt a cat. |
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Nikhil Hajirnis, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pubmed nhajirnis@som.umaryland.edu Nikhil completed his masters degree in biotechnology at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. Upon completion, he went on to obtain his PhD at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology. During this time, Nikhil worked as a DBT-research fellow in Dr Rakesh Mishra's lab. His PhD project involved large-scale genome engineering of cis-regulatory landscapes that govern the regulation of Hox genes. He developed a keen interest in utilizing gene editing techniques for the regulation of non-coding DNA in eukaryotes. In the Lobo lab Nikhil will work towards co-regulating a combination of hub genes that are central to the altered reward pathways in substance abused mouse models. Outside of lab, Nikhil enjoys reading books, spending time with family and exploring different spaces in Baltimore. He also wishes to one day go scuba and/or sky diving! |
PhD Students
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Eric Choi
Ph.D. Student, Pubmed eric.choi@som.umaryland.edu After completing bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2014 from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Eric spent two years as a research technologist at the Schizophrenia Center of the Johns Hopkins University. During this time, his study focused mainly on neuroimmunology and the role of GSTM1 in astrocyte-microglia communication under inflammation. In the summer of 2018, Eric joined the Lobo Lab as a rotation student, and quickly made the wise decision to join the lab as a thesis student. His current interest is to develop cell type specific CRISPR targeted histone modification tools to study how drug induced post translational modifications in the nucleus accumbens lead to changes in behavior. Outside of the lab, Eric enjoys trying out new and exciting restaurants around Baltimore, and hanging out with his friends and family. |
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Daniela Franco
Ph.D. Student, Meyerhoff Fellow daniela.franco@som.umaryland.edu, Pubmed Daniela received her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Psychological Research from California State University, Long Beach. Her master’s thesis focused on the potential long-lasting consequences of drug exposure in an animal model of adolescence. In the summer of 2019, Daniela joined the Lobo Lab as a rotation student before making the easy decision to join the lab for her Ph.D. studies in the Spring of 2020. Her current research interests involve examining the molecular and behavioral consequences of social stress on reward and motivation with a special interest in nucleus accumbens neuron-microglia interactions. Outside of the lab, Daniela enjoys drawing, photography, coffee shops, and exploring Baltimore. |
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Gautam Kumar
Ph.D. Student gautam.kumar@som.umaryland.edu Gautam received his BA in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California, an MSc in Differential Psychology from the University of Edinburgh and an MPH from Columbia University. He spent time in various labs working as a biostatistician analyzing population, psychological, behavioral, imaging, electrophysiological and molecular data and decided to pursue his interest in investigating substance use disorder from a multiomic perspective. In the summer of 2021, Gautam joined the Lobo lab as a rotation student and made the decision to join the lab for his PhD. Outside of the lab, Gautam enjoys exercising and reading. |
Research Staff
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Makeda Turner, MS
Research Specialist makeda.turner@som.umaryland.edu Makeda received her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences in 2018 from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She received her masters degree in Health Sciences in 2021 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She first joined the lab in 2017 as an undergraduate assistant, transitioned to full-time lab assistant in 2019, and recently transitioned to a research specialist in 2021. In the lab, Makeda enjoys naming the mice within the lab colony. Outside the lab, she enjoys eating food (mainly desserts) and reading. |
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Symphanie Key, BA
Research Assistant skey@som.umaryland.edu Symphanie received her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences in 2020 from Clemson University. In January 2021, she joined the lab as a full time research assistant. In the lab, Symphanie helps manage the mice colony and enjoys learning new lab techniques. Outside of the lab, she likes teaching her dog new tricks, painting, cooking, and going to the gym. |
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Victoria Rhodes, BA Research Assistant vrhodes@som.umaryland.edu Victoria received her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2021. Victoria first joined the lab in 2019 as an undergraduate assistant. In the lab Victoria assists with managing the mice colony and enjoys using the confocal microscope. Outside of the lab, Victoria enjoys hanging out with family and friends, baking desserts, and crafting. |
Undergraduate Lab Assistants
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Pali Keppetipola
Undergraduate Lab Assistant skeppetipola@som.umaryland.edu Pali is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland College Park pursuing a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology, with minors in Spanish and Asian American Studies. She joined the lab as a volunteer in October 2019 and is now an undergraduate assistant that has helped with mRNA extractions, qPCR analysis, and other projects. Outside of the lab, Pali enjoys teaching (and dancing) ballet, reading classic books, and listening to music. Catherine Dang
Undergraduate Lab Assistant CDang@som.umaryland.edu Catherine is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology. She joined the lab as intern in January 2022. Outside of the lab, Catherine enjoys reading books and manga, watching Disney movies and putting together puzzles. Tim Allen
Undergraduate Lab Assistant Timothy.allen@som.umaryland.edu Tim is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County pursuing a degree in Translational Life Science Technology. He joined the lab as an undergraduate assistant in January 2022. Outside of the lab, Tim enjoys watching anime, spending time with family, walking trails, listening to good music and studying plants. Christina Barrett
Undergraduate Lab Assistant Christina.barrett@som.umaryland.edu Christina is a current undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park double majoring in Cell Biology & Genetics and Psychology. She joined the lab in the summer of 2021 through the UM Summer Scholars program and continued on as an undergraduate assistant. Outside of lab, she is co-raising a guide dog in training called Penny, and enjoys swimming and photography. Olaedo Onukwubiri
Undergraduate Lab Assistant oonukwubiri@som.umaryland.edu Olaedo is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Pre-Pharmacy). She joined the lab as an undergraduate assistant in January 2022. Outside of the lab, Olaedo enjoys watching her favorite shows, reading novels, listening to music and going to the gym. |
Volunteers
Maia Cheer- High School Volunteer, 2021
Summer Program Students
Ashley La- UM Scholar 2014, 2015
Jeremy Weiner - Prism Scholar 2015
Alison Gaynor- UM Scholar 2016
Amanda Chow- UM Scholar 2016
Julia Bazzini- UM Scholar 2016
Christopher Schiefer - PRISM Scholar 2017
Rae Herman - UM Scholar 2017
Emily Larkin- UM Scholar 2017
Madeleine McGlincy- PRISM Scholar 2017
Shavin Thomas- UM Scholar 2018
Torrance Wang- PRISM Scholar 2018
Michael Hong- PRISM Scholar 2018
Saskia Van Terheyden- PRISM Scholar 2019
Hyunjae Kim- UM Scholar- 2015, PRISM Scholar 2019
Christin Barrett- UM Scholar, 2021
Rebeca Fuquen- MiNDS Undergraduate Student, 2021
Jeremy Weiner - Prism Scholar 2015
Alison Gaynor- UM Scholar 2016
Amanda Chow- UM Scholar 2016
Julia Bazzini- UM Scholar 2016
Christopher Schiefer - PRISM Scholar 2017
Rae Herman - UM Scholar 2017
Emily Larkin- UM Scholar 2017
Madeleine McGlincy- PRISM Scholar 2017
Shavin Thomas- UM Scholar 2018
Torrance Wang- PRISM Scholar 2018
Michael Hong- PRISM Scholar 2018
Saskia Van Terheyden- PRISM Scholar 2019
Hyunjae Kim- UM Scholar- 2015, PRISM Scholar 2019
Christin Barrett- UM Scholar, 2021
Rebeca Fuquen- MiNDS Undergraduate Student, 2021
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Lab Visitors
Jorge Miranda- Visiting PhD Student 2013
Genesis Dayrit- MARC Undergraduate Fellow 2013
Lace Riggs- Visiting Masters Student 2015
Gessynger Morais-Silva- Visiting PhD Student 2019
Marco Oreste F. Pagliusi Jr.- Visiting PhD Student 2019
Israel Garcia- Visiting PhD Student 2018, 2019
Genesis Dayrit- MARC Undergraduate Fellow 2013
Lace Riggs- Visiting Masters Student 2015
Gessynger Morais-Silva- Visiting PhD Student 2019
Marco Oreste F. Pagliusi Jr.- Visiting PhD Student 2019
Israel Garcia- Visiting PhD Student 2018, 2019
Lab Alumni
Eric Finkel, BS
Research Assistant 2011-2013 Current Position: Neuroscience Graduate Student, Johns Hopkins University |
Chase Francis, PhD
Neuroscience PhD Student 2012-2016 Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Morales Lab, NIDA IRP |
Shweta Das, BS, MA
Research Assistant 2015-2016 Current Position: Medical Student at Trinity School of Medicine |
Brianna Evans, BS
Research Assistant 2016-2018 Current Position: MD/PhD Student at Pennsylvania State University |
Michel Engeln, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow/ Research Associate 2014-2021 Current Position: CNRS Researcher, Bordeaux University 
Shannon Cole, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow 2018-2021 |
Jeffrey Lenz, MS
Masters Student 2012-2013 |
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Masters, Undergraduate, and High School Researcher Alumni
Lucia Xiang- High School Researcher 2012
Meg Ryan- Undergraduate Researcher 2013-2014
Dipal Patel- Undergraduate Researcher 2013-2014
Leah Jensen- Undergraduate Researcher 2013-2014
Meranda Bobbit- Undergraduate Researcher 2013-2014
Ariunzaya Amgalan- Undergraduate Researcher 2013-2015
Akansha Girish- High School Researcher 2015
Alex Serafini- Undergraduate Researcher 2016
Jessica Kang- Undergraduate Researcher 2016
Shams Haider- Undergraduate Researcher 2016
Emily Huang- Undergraduate Lab Assistant 2017
Miranda Fennel- Lab Assistant 2017
Ishan Patel High School/Undergraduate Researcher 2018-2019
Paul Henderson- Lab Assistant 2018
Heather Brewer-Scotti- Masters Researcher 2018
Se Rin Lee Undergraduate Researcher 2019
Alexander Brown Undergraduate Researcher 2019
Katherine Duarte Undergraduate Lab Assistant 2019-2020
Darren Miller Visitor Researcher 2020
Maya Harris Undergraduate Researchers 2020
Annie Bring- Masters Researcher 2021
Jewel White- Masters Researcher 2021
Shruthi Ganesh- High School Volunteer, 2021
Pragya Kumar- High School Volunteer, 2021
Sohil Chavan- Undergraduate Lab Assistant, 2021
