School of Medicine

Postdoctoral Fellows

Xavier Chapa-Dubocq, PhD

Degree: PhD, University of Puerto Rico: Medical Sciences Center
Advisor: Patrica Molina, MD, PhD
Research: Examining the Interplay between Alcohol Metabolism and Recovery from Post-Concussion Syndrome
Department: Physiology
Email: xchapa@lsuhsc.edu

The goal of my research is to determine how alcohol consumption post-mild TBI may increase the severity of symptoms related to Post-Concussion syndrome. Specifically, I want to focus on metabolic changes in the frontal lobe of the brain which may be associated to behavioral changes such as impulsivity and decision-making. Additionally, I am interested in developing mitochondria-targeted therapeutics that may help alleviate symptoms found in Post-Concussion syndrome.

Andrea Jones, PhD

Degree: PhD, Tulane University School of Medicine
Advisor: Nicholas Gilpin, PhD
Research: The role of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in chronic inflammatory pain
Department: Physiology
Email:ajon41@lsuhsc.edu

The goal of my research is to determine how the MC4R changes with chronic pain. I am interested in sex- and age-specific differences in the way the MC4R functions within brain circuits associated with chronic inflammatory pain. Additionally, I am interested in the role of alcohol use disorder in the transition from acute to chronic pain. 

Keishla Rodriguez-Graciani, PhD

Degree: PhD, University of Puerto Rico - Medial Sciences Campus
Advisor: Liz Simon, MVSc, PhD
Department: Physiology
Email: krodr7@lsuhsc.edu 

Lisa Wilson, PhD

Degree: PhD, University of Florida
Advisors: Tiffany Wills, Phd and Nicholas Gilpin, PhD
Research: Adolescent opioid modulation of alcohol-induced hyperalgesia in adult mice
Department: Cell Biology & Anatomy
Email:lwil73@lsuhsc.edu

The goal of my research is to determine how chronic adolescent opioid exposure modulates changes in alcohol-induced hyperalgesia in adult mice.  I am interested in how early life opioid exposure modifies PKCδ cell excitation and if those modifications exacerbate alcohol-induce hyperalgesia in adulthood.    

Predoctoral Fellows

Meagan Donovan

Degree: BS, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Mentors: Janos Paloczi, PhD
Department: Cardiovascular Center
Email:  mdono2@lsuhsc.edu

I am currently investigating potential therapeutics to target the mitochondrial changes that occur in cardiomyocytes following alcohol exposure.

John Lammons, BS

Degree: BS, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mentors: Christopher Taylor, PhD and David Welsh, MD
Department: Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology
Email: jlamm1@lsuhsc.edu

I study the impacts of HIV and alcohol on the gut microbiome related to intestinal leak and mucosal immunity. 

Sumin (Stephanie) Lee, BS

Degree: BS, Emory University
Mentor: Scott Edwards, PhS
Department:  Physiology
Email: slee21@lsuhsc.edu

My research focus is endocannabinoid system contributions to chronic pain and AUD.