Pilot Project Recipients

Dr. Christelle Anaclet is an associate adjunct professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery in the School of Medicine. Her pilot project confirmed major sleep-wake disruption after acute organophosphate intoxication with DFP. Dr. Anaclet is leveraging this knowledge to explore beneficial sleep interventions to help reduce seizures and improve cognitive function following organophosphate exposure. 

Dr. Matthew Armstrong is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Molecular Biosciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine. HIs pilot project focuses on elucidating cellular and subcellular spatial organization and transcriptional dynamics driving the conversion from an acute response to organophosphate intoxication to chronic seizure disorder. Results will provide an understanding of which brain regions are most adversely affected, identify novel biomarkers, and provide direction for future therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Ali Izadi is an assistant project scientist in the Department of Neurological Surgery in the School of Medicine. It is expected that in a mass casualty situation from organophosphate exposure there would be pediatric cases, yet there has been little research on how to treat this population. Dr. Izadi used his pilot project award to develop a pediatric animal model of DFP acute intoxication with the long-term goal of using it to improve patient outcomes.