The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) plays a central role in contextual memory and navigation, linking the hippocampus and anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN). Theta oscillations (4 to 12 Hz) are thought to temporally coordinate activity across this limbic network to support memory encoding and retrieval. While the hippocampus and ATN exhibit continuous theta rhythms, the RSC and the anteroventral nucleus (AV) of the thalamus engage more transiently, raising questions about the timing and function of these bursts. Preliminary data from a single rat tested in Julia Brzac’s contextual cheeseboard task, where visual cues indicate distinct spatial memory contexts, suggest a possible temporal lag in theta activity from ATN to RSC, which may reflect a timing-based influence or flow of information between these regions during learning. To further investigate this, we are refining the task to promote cue-dependent decision making under spatial and temporal constraints. Over the summer, we will test additional animals and record both local field potentials and theta-modulated single unit spiking activity during contextual learning. This study aims to address when and why theta coordination emerges across the ATN and RSC pathway, and whether these dynamics support successful memory formation. By linking precise neural timing to behavior, we hope to uncover how distributed networks use theta to structure learning-related computation and reveal a temporal coding mechanism for communication between the thalamus and cortex.

Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, undergo critical development in the liver prior to their transition into the bloodstream, where all the clinical symptoms of malaria and transmission back into mosquito vectors occur. No highly efficacious malaria vaccines exist, but one promising vaccination strategy is immunization with whole parasite vaccines (WPVs) that are genetically modified and cannot complete liver stage development. We have shown that the type 1 interferon (IFN-1) signaling regulates the immune response induced by WPVs, leading to decreased protection in immunized mice against malaria. My project aims to spatially characterize how IFN-1 influences parasite development within the liver using immunofluorescence. Interferon-alpha/beta receptor knockout (IFNAR KO) mice that cannot propagate IFN-1 signaling and wildtype C57Bl/6 mice were infected with Plasmodium yoelli. We then harvested livers from infected mice throughout Plasmodium liver stage development. I stained tissue sections with fluorophore-labeled antibodies, imaged them with a confocal microscope, and analyzed them in Zen Lite Blue for size and location. I observed that IFN-1 restricts parasite development beginning at 24 hours post-infection but does not impact parasite size in infected cells. This may suggest IFN-1 results in decreased antigen mass from WPVs, resulting in decreased protection from future infection. Future studies will selectively eliminate IFNAR on hepatocytes or on distinct immune cells to identify if IFN-1-mediated parasite restriction is hepatocyte intrinsic or is immune cell-mediated. Identifying how to selectively impair IFN-1 in infected cells may lead to a more effective vaccine strategy. 

This study investigates why meditation works to alleviate physical ailments. The main factor that causes numerous physical ailments is stress. More specifically, long term stress that results in physical ailments such as muscle constriction, joint pain, breakdown of your skin and hair, immune disorders, and so much more. This research studies why focused meditation works to alleviate the stress induced pains. Our bodies have become so adapted to stress hormones that we don’t realize the constant state of stress we are in until it is too late and these physical ailments begin to form. Quantitative methodology will be used to determine if those who practice meditation have significantly lower stress levels and physical pains than those who do not practice meditation. We hypothesize that those who meditate will have better biological equilibrium and do not experience as many physical ailments as those who do not meditate. This will be useful for preventative care as well as facilitating current physical pains or diseases for those who are currently experiencing it.

Fluorophores typically consist of aromatic, pi-conjugated ring systems that emit light upon excitation. This fluorescent property makes dyes of this nature particularly valuable in tracers and imaging applications. Functionalized derivatives of these dyes may serve across interdisciplinary practices and benefit current, relevant research. This project seeks to synthesize a dye composed of a boron difluoride linked to a dipyrromethane group, otherwise known as BODIPY. The BODIPY molecule is subsequently functionalized with fatty acids and esters pertinent to research being conducted in Wesleyan’s Chemistry department. The initial synthesis begins with the ring-opening of cycloheptanone, generating the base compound for ylide formation. An ylide is then formed using triphenylphosphine before undergoing addition with pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde through a Wittig reaction. Hydrogenation of the alkene bond is required before further steps towards BODIPY formation can be completed. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis is then performed to replace the ester with a carboxylic acid. However, in practice, ylide formation has presented problems as the Wittig reaction results in extremely low yield, indicating issues during the n-Butyllithium reaction. Further troubleshooting must be conducted to highlight the exact impediment. Upon completion, the Coolon Lab at Wesleyan intends to use the dye in their study of Drosophila fruit flies. Their project seeks to understand how one species, Drosophila sechellia, was capable of specializing on a host plant that contains defense compounds otherwise toxic to other sister species. In order to answer this question, toxin uptake and localization among different species can be performed and visualized with the fluorescent dye through fluorescence microscopy.