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Neural Circuits Mediating Reward and Threat Behaviors


Faculty Mentor: Fergil Mills
Title: Assistant Professor
College: Medicine
School / Department: Department of Neurobiology

Project description

Every day, we have to make sense of sensory stimuli in the world around us. We can identify things that are rewarding or dangerous based on our learned experience, and then use this information to choose the correct behavior – a process critical for survival. A major goal of our lab is to uncover the neural circuits that represent rewards and threats in the brain and understand how these circuits act to direct motivated behavior. Understanding the neural circuits that mediate learning and motivated behavior is also of critical importance to mental health. Responses to environmental stimuli are severely disrupted in neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, leading to damaging behavioral outcomes. In order to develop effective treatments for these disorders, we must first identify the fundamental mechanisms underlying learning and valence in the brain. This project involves using cutting-edge techniques like in vivo calcium imaging to characterize these mechanisms during behavioral trials.

Student Role: Undergraduate trainees will be involved in many lab activities while working with senior lab members. This will include the design and construction of systems neuroscience behavioral and recording equipment, analysis of neural and behavioral data, and - pending appropriate training and under supervision - even assisting with surgical and behavioral procedures. Trainees will also be encouraged to read and present papers in lab journal clubs to increase their understanding of neuroscience research, particularly in the areas of learning, memory, and valence processing.
Student Benefits: Students will get the opportunity to learn laboratory techniques, participate in independent research projects, fulfill undergraduate requirements (thesis, degree credit, pre-med experience), and present original research.
Project Duration: Current project will last 1-2 years. Additional related projects will last 3-4 years. Hours will be flexible but could average around 10 hours/week.
Opportunity Type: Research Assistant
Opportunity Location Type: In Person
Is this a paid opportunity: ToBeDetermined
Paid Description:

Volunteer, This is a work-study research position, Prepare a UROP proposal, Write an Honors Thesis or Senior Thesis, Earn independent study credit.

Minimum Requirements: No previous experience is required, but students that can commit for 1+ years will be prioritized.
How To Apply: Contact Nicholas Poll, u1006778@umail.utah.edu