People - Project 3 | School of Veterinary Medicine

Pamela J. Lein, Ph.D.

Professor of Neurotoxicology
Project 3

Pamela J. Lein has 25 years’ experience working in the fields of molecular and cellular neurobiology, neuropharmacology and neurotoxicology. Her research has focused on defining the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which growth factors, inflammatory mediators, pharmacological agents and environmental toxicants modulate neuronal connectivity and the impact of such changes on normal neurodevelopment and on the function of the mature brain.

Thomas Blackmon, BS

Graduate Student
Project 3

I grew up in Sacramento and developed a lot of interest in pharmacology during the last year of my undergraduate program at UC Davis. I’m interested in neuropharmacology and the way hallucinogenic and industrial compounds affect signaling networks. I recently joined the Lein Lab in the Spring of 2019 working with spatiotemporal profiles of biomarkers related to seizurogenic compound exposure.

Casey Boosalis

Dennis R Carty, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar
Project 3

My background has primarily focused on the developmental and reproductive toxicities associated with environmental pollutants in aquatic organisms. During my time at the University of Mississippi, I extended my expertise by developing a mechanism for which we can study the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of rare forms of epilepsy. More importantly, we managed to forge ahead in the unknown field of cannabinoid toxicology and were one of the first labs to publish adverse developmental endpoints for cannabidiol in zebrafish.

Abhijit J Chaudhari, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and MRI Scientist
Project 3

Eduardo A. Gonzalez, BS

PhD Candidate
Project 3

My interest in biomedical research began with my undergraduate training in environmental and molecular toxicology. I have since been trained in neurotoxicology and neuropharmacology as a doctoral student working under Dr. Pamela Lein. The CounterACT program has allowed me to combine my passions for toxicology, public health, and national security by applying my knowledge of toxicology to counterterrorism research against chemical weapons.

Michelle Guignet, B.S.

Graduate Student
Project 3

I am originally from Baltimore, MD and got my B.S. in both Biochemistry and Toxicology from Penn State University. Currently, I am a Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD student working with Dr. Pamela Lein within the CounterACT Center of Excellence.

Brad A Hobson, B.S., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher
Project 3

Brad Hobson is a PhD candidate in the Pharmacology and Toxicology graduate group working in the lab of Dr. Pamela Lein. His research within the CounterACT program focuses on investigating the long term neurological consequences of acute organophosphate (OP) intoxication using in vivo imaging.

Jason Loxterkamp, B.S.

Graduate Student
Project 3

At Northern Kentucky University, I earned a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in criminalistics. As an undergraduate, I began to develop my skills as a chemist, while taking courses to join the field of forensic science. I worked in an organic chemistry lab focusing on synthesis of macrocyclic compounds. After graduation, I worked in an analytical chemistry lab determining the concentrations of active ingredients in skin and hair care products.

Douglas J. Rowland Jr., BA, PhD

Principal Research Scientist, Project Scientist
Project 3

Dr. Douglas Rowland has Over 19 years of experience in biomedical imaging and a further 6 years experience in instrumentation for physics experiments. His specific focus was on the production, chemistry and characterization of non-standard PET radionuclides in the first years of work in biomedical imaging. From there, he transitioned into developing techniques for imaging small animals on microPET and microCT technologies.