Congratulations to Jared Luchetta for successfully defending his PhD thesis! Jared’s work uncovered how chemokine signaling through the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway controls neuronal activity, and he identified that CXCR4 expressed on cortical inhibitory neurons is a major driver of CXCL12’s beneficial and homeostatic effects. Jared was a T32 fellow of Drexel’s Interdisciplinary and Translational Research Training Grant in NeuroAIDS, and he was recognized by several awards including the department’s top award for scholarship, the Benjamin Weiss Scholar Award, and the Mary Hoffman Shaw Travel Award. He was also involved in several other projects in the lab and helped other lab members move projects forward and develop new approaches to address longstanding research questions.

Dr. Renato Brandimarti and colleagues from the lab published a new study detailing US9 fusion proteins that control amyloid precursor protein processing without targeting endogenous secretases. The work was published in Molecular Neurobiology and is freely available.

Click here to read the publication!

 

Description: This position is for a post-doctoral researcher with extensive experience in neurobiology, neuroimmune pharmacology, and translational neuroscience eager to contribute to the overall mission of the lab with creativity and passion. This individual will be involved in ongoing NIH-funded projects in the field of neuroHIV, neuroprotection, and drug abuse, which require expertise in both cellular/molecular neurobiology techniques and small animal in vivo models. The experienced researcher is expected to facilitate teamwork, participate in the training of graduate students, and ultimately enhance the research potential of the whole group.

 

Qualifications: PhD (or MD/PhD) or equivalent doctoral degree is required.

At least 3 years’ experience in a neurobiology or translational neuroscience setting.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Time management and organization skills.

Highest work ethic standards.

 

Candidates should have extensive experience in traditional and modern techniques of cellular and molecular neurobiology, histology, microscopy/cellular imaging, and use of small animal models to study CNS disorders. Ideal candidates will have experience in techniques including electrophysiology, multi-electrode arrays, and/or in vivo imaging. Candidates will be able to keep up with, and implement, the many emerging technical innovations in the field of neuroscience. Previous experience in the field of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders is a plus, along with familiarity with primary neuronal cultures and brain tissue processing, self-motivation, commitment to success and innovation, and exceptional organization and communication skills.  Opportunities for career advancement are available.

 

Contact: Please contact Dr. Olimpia Meucci (om29@drexel.edu) for additional information.

Congratulations to former lab member Erica Dalla, who successfully defended her PhD thesis at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine!

Erica worked in the lab of Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso where she studied how lung macrophages control the fate of disseminated tumor cells. Her work in the PhD program contributed to several high-profile publications that capped off a highly productive period of research!