Research Interests
Planarian flatworms show a lot of promise in neuropharmacological research; they have a well-developed nervous system, including a rudimentary brain, which use every major neurotransmitter system described in mammals, including humans. Additionally, its nervous system shares many structural similarities with vertebrate nervous systems. Many abused drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and nicotine affect this organism; interestingly, in a way reminiscent of their effects on humans. In our research, we use planaria as a model organism to screen for naturally-occurring or synthetic compounds capable of reversing acute and long-term effects of abused drugs. Our eventual objective is to discover substances capable of preventing the behavioral and toxic effects of abused drugs in humans.
Scientific Genealogy
Oné Reynaldo Pagán (Cornell, 2005)
George Paul Hess (Berkeley, 1953) (My PhD advisor)
Choh Hao Li (Berkeley, 1938) (Dr. Hess’ PhD Advisor)
Thomas Dale Stewart (Berkeley, 1916) (Etc.)
Gilbert Newton Lewis (Harvard, 1899)
Theodore William Richards (1914 Nobel Prize in Chemistry – Harvard, 1888)
Josiah Parsons Cooke (Harvard, 1848)
Benjamin Silliman (Yale, 1796)
James Woodhouse (University of Pennsylvania, 1792)
Benjamin Rush (University of Edinburgh, 1768)
William Cullen (University of Glasgow, 1740)
Andrew Plummer (University of Leiden, 1722)
Herman Boerhaave (University of Leiden, 1690)
Burchard de Volder (University of Leiden, 1669)
Franciscus (dele Boë) Sylvius (University of Basel, 1637)
Stupaeus (I just found the name, nothing else . . .)