New manuscripts led by Annie Ly and Emily Prevost

Congratulations to Annie Ly and Emily Prevost on their submission of three new manuscripts currently under peer review.

Annie has identified a unique VGluT3 cell-type within the BNST that is important for reducing feeding as well as identified how BNST GABA neurons regulate a unique form of conditioning

Emily has identified that VTA dopamine neuron function depends on individual subpopulations of DA neurons that either release only dopamine or co-transmit dopamine and glutamate.

We are hiring an electrophysiologist

We aim to hire a senior professional research assistant to perform whole-cell electrophysiology experiments. Please get in touch if interested, apply here: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Senior-Professional-Research-Assistant/60315

Root lab receives another new R01 from NIMH and is recruiting

We are grateful to NIMH for supporting a new project on dopamine neuron subtypes motivated behavior. We’re recruiting at all levels so please get in touch if interested in joining us

New manuscript: Salience signaling and stimulus scaling of ventral tegmental area glutamate neuron subtypes

Congratulations to Dillon, Alysa, Annie, and team on the new manuscript entitled Salience signaling and stimulus scaling of ventral tegmental area glutamate neuron subtypes.

VTA glutamate neurons are molecularly heterogeneous but whether this molecular heterogeneity extends to behavioral function is unclear. Dillon and colleagues show that VTA glutamate neuron subtypes differentially signal the value of rewarding experiences, the value of aversive experiences, and behavioral preferences. They also highlight the unique potential signaling of salience by neurons that co-transmit glutamate and GABA. Thanks to all co-authors and collaborators!

Pre-print posted here

Annie Ly selected for NIH's Outstanding Scholar in Neuroscience Program Award

Huge congratulations to Annie Ly for this prestigious recognition!

Root lab receives new R01 from NIMH and is recruiting 4 additional research assistants

We’re excited to begin working on a new 5 year grant on the VTA cell-types, pathways, and molecules that regulate the consequences of stress. To that end we are recruiting two research assistants for stress-related research (apply here) and two additional research assistants for ongoing projects (apply here)

Megan Heilbron, Dylan Capes, Lucy Ward, and Daniel Alas defend their honors theses!

Congratulations to Megan, Dylan, Lucy, and Daniel for the successful honors thesis defenses!

Emily Prevost and Annie Ly receive graduate awards!

Congratulations to both Emily Prevost and Annie Ly who were awarded the Beverly Sears graduate awards!

Media coverage

Colorado NBC KOAA TV covered our recent cannabis grant here and here

Annie Ly receives multiple awards!

Congratulations to Annie Ly who was selected for multiple recent awards:

The Rising Stars in Neuroscience Symposium at The University of Utah

A Travel Award to the Stress Neurobiology Workshop

And a Travel Award to the Janelia Farms Mechanistic Basis of Foraging conference!

Wow!