My main interest is in the regulation of neuronal excitability both under physiological and pathological conditions. My research focuses on excitability in the CA1 region of the hippocampus; a region of the brain associated with learning and memory and highly affected in epilepsy. Currently, I am working on two projects: the plasticity of excitability due to the regulation of postsynaptic ion channels and alterations in dendritic ion channel physiology in an animal model of epilepsy.

Prior to joining the Johnston Lab in 2003, my work focused primarily on the regulation of neurotransmitter release. I studied the role of protein kinases and presynaptic receptors on short-term synaptic depression of glutamate release in hippocampus and the regulation of GABA release by endocannabinoids.

I received my Ph.D. in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Thompson in the Department of Physiology at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, in 2002. Upon completion of my PhD, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Brad Alger, also in the Department of Physiology, for postdoctoral training.