Resume

• 2012

  Life Sciences Career Development Society

  University of Toronto

  Toronto

  Ontario

  Canada

  Delivered lectures on neuroscience concepts to high school students to facilitate their preparation for a provincial competition.

  Teacher

  Provincial Brain Bee

  University of Toronto

  Toronto

  Ontario

  Canada

  Delivered lectures on introductory concepts in Physiology.\nOrganized and administered interactive activities for large classes.

  Teaching Assistant

  Human Physiology (PSL300)

  University of Toronto

  University of Toronto

  New College

  • Lectured on the physiological and psychological effects of meditation from an empirical

  scientific perspective. \n• Discussed historical and cultural significance of the practice of meditation. \n• Provided training in oral presentation

  written presentation and comparative review.

  Lecturer

  Meditation and the Body (NEW335H1F)

  University of Toronto

  Toronto

  Canada Area

  •Lectured on the role of neurotransmitter systems in behavior.\n•Covered receptor pharmacology

  the anatomy of neurotransmitter systems

  receptor-based pathologies and the mechanisms of clinical

  recreational and scientific drugs.\n

  Lecturer

  Neurochemical Basis of Behavior (PSY396)

  University of Toronto

• 2009

  University of Toronto

  Toronto

  Ontario

  Canada

  •\tLectured on hippocampal neurotransmission with a focus on synaptic plasticity. \n•\tInstructed students on experimental techniques including hippocampal dissection

  hippocampal slice preparation and electrophysiologic field recordings.

  Teaching Assistant: Advanced Topics in Cellular Physiology (PSL1026)

  University of Toronto

• 2008

  Canadian Red Cross

  The Hospital for Sick Children

  Multiple Sclerosis Society (Canada)

  Save the Children Canada

  Synaptic plasticity

  Histology

  Neurophysiology

  Electrophysiology

  Statistics for Scientists

  Statistics

  Behavioural testing

  Animal Models

  Neuroscience

  Scientific Writing

  Psychology

  Written & Oral Presentation Skills

  Pharmacology

  Learning and Memory research

  Science Communication

  Anatomy and Physiology

  Inhibitory neurotransmission

  Life Sciences

  Teaching

  Neurogenesis

  γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit promote memory and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus.

  Beverley Orser

  J. Martin Wojtowicz

  Dian-Shi Wang

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  Dissertation: Role of δGABAA receptors in memory and synaptic plasticity.

  Neuroscience

  Volunteer

  Life Sciences Career Development Society

  University of Toronto

• 2007

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  •\tAssisted students in the design

  conduct

  analysis and presentation of an original scientific study fit for publication. \n•\tContributed to the evaluation of the oral examination.\n•\tContributed to the evaluation of the final thesis document.

  Evaluator

  Undergraduate thesis in Psychology

  Sports Psychology and Neuroscience (PSYC4104)

  Laurentian University

  University of Toronto

  •Lectured on the neurophysiology of memory

  with a focus on the hippocampus. \n•Reviewed hippocampal anatomy and physiology.\n•Presented seminal research papers for group discussion.

  Lecturer

  Seminars in Neurobiology of Human Behavior (HMB420)

  •Provided a comprehensive overview of Psychology - the study of human thought and behavior.

  University of Toronto

  Lecturer

  Introduction to Neuroscience (HMB200)

  •Provided students with an overview of the fundamentals of neuroscience. Covered basic neuropsychology

  neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.

  University of Toronto

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  •\tIntroduced students to basic theory of drug-receptor interactions and applied mathematics in pharmacology. \n•\tReviewed neurotransmission in the central nervous system. \n•\tCoordinated discussion groups for seminal papers in neuropharmacology.

  Teaching Assistant

  Neuropharmacology (PSYC3506)

  Laurentian University

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  Substitute Lecturer: Psychology (PSYC1105); Neuropharmacology (PSYC3506)

  Laurentian University

• 2006

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  Teaching Assistant: Experimental Methods in Statistics

  Laurentian University

• 2005

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  •\tLectured on fundamental concepts and techniques in biology. \n•\tTaught scientific techniques including: microscopy

  histological staining

  aseptic/sterile techniques and safe culture of bacteria.\n•\tEducated students on proper scientific writing such as correct referencing techniques

  annotations and the use of figures and tables.

  Teaching Assistant

  Introduction to Biology (BIOL1506-7)

  Laurentian University

  Master of Science (MS)

  Dissertation: Behavioural and biological effects of developmental exposure to simple

  complex and composite electromagnetic fields.

  Biology

  Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne

• 2004

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  Teaching Assistant

  Emotion (PSYC2706)

  Laurentian University

  •Covered cutting research techniques in the life sciences (such as optogenetics and CLARITY).

  University of Toronto

  Lecturer

  Social Issues in Science I + II (NEW106/NEW116)

  •Discussed how knowledge and technology are mobilized to deal with global problems such as disease

  mental health

  discrimination

  economic inequality and environmental threats.

  University of Toronto

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  Teaching Assistant: Motivation (PSYC2707)

  Laurentian University

  University of Toronto

  •Lectured on the global health burden posed by major depressive disorder. \n•Discussed the characteristics of major depressive disorder as well as potential causes and approved treatments for this condition. \n•Directed seminar-based discussion groups on seminal publications in the field of depression research.

  Lecturer

  Topics in Epidemiology (HMB462)

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  Teaching Assistant: Sensation/Perception (PSYC2917)

  Laurentian University

  Department of Anesthesiology

  University of Toronto

  Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada Canada Graduate Scholarship

  Doctoral level (NSERC

  CGS D

  Alexander Graham Bell)

  This award was maintained for a 3-year term (from 2008-2011).

  NSERC

  Postdoctoral fellowship

  Sleep and Biological Rhythms Program

  CIHR

  Margaret Gamble Award

  This award was also received in 2011.

  University of Toronto

  OSOTF award

  NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship

  Master's level

  NSERC

  Institute of Medical Science Entrance Award

  Institute of Medical Science

  University of Toronto

  Collaborative Program in Neuroscience (CPIN) Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation

  CPIN

  NSERC Summer Fellowship

  NSERC

  Thesis Award

  Award granted to best thesis presentation in the fields of Psychology

  Sports Psychology and Neuroscience in the 2005 term.

  Department of Psychology

  Laurentian University

  BRAIN Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation

  University of Toronto

  NSERC Post-doctoral fellowship

  NSERC

  SCACE Graduate Fellowship in Alzheimer's Research

  This award was also received 2010-2011.

  University of Toronto

  OSOTF Award

  Peterborough K.M. Hunter Scholarship

  University of Toronto

  OSOTF Award

• 2003

  Relay for Life

  Canada

  Laurentian University

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  •\tPrepared lectures and interactive course material on several topics (including neuroanatomy

  neuropsychometry

  neuropharmacology

  electroencephalography and metabolic imaging techniques).\n•\tLectured on basic pharmacologic techniques

  including calculating desired drug dose and administering drug injections. Lectured on psychometric techniques for the assessment of cognitive function.\n•\tManaged several teaching assistants across multiple lab sessions.

  Teaching Assistant

  Brain and Behaviour (PSYC2606)

  Laurentian University

  Toronto

  Canada Area

  •Provided a comprehensive overview of Psychology - the study of human thought and behavior.

  Lecturer

  Introduction to Psychology (PSY102)

  Ryerson University

  •Reviewed the basic theoretical concepts and experimental techniques in the field molecular genetics.\n•Explored the relationship between genes

  environment and behavior. Lectured on the genetic basis of multiple behavioral disorders.\n•Discussed the economic

  legal

  moral and ethical implications of genetic engineering in society.

  University of Toronto

• 2001

  Paul

  Whissell

  Private tutor

  University of Toronto

  Ryerson University

  Sudbury

  Ontario

  Canada

  Private math tutor (Calculus/Algebra/Finite Mathematics)

  Private tutor

  Toronto

  Ontario

  Canada

  Teaching Assistant: Cellular Physiology (PSL374)

  University of Toronto

  •Discussed research into neural basis of mindfulness and benefits of mindfulness meditation. Supervised research projects. Trained students in scientific writing. Lead seminars.

  University of Toronto

  University of Toronto

  Kim Laboratory

  •Investigated the neural mechanisms of anxiety

  fear and working memory. \n•Explored the behavioural functions of specific interneuron subtypes using optogenetic techniques. \n•Studied the neuroanatomical characteristics and electrophysiological functions of interneurons.

  Postdoctoral Researcher

  •Discussed the neural basis and accuracy of mental processes in humans. Ran laboratory experiments

  led seminars on key papers and evaluated essays on topics within the field.

  Ryerson University

  Bachelor of Science (BS)

  Dissertation: Open field behaviour in rats following postnatal nitric oxide modulation and exposure to extremely low frequency

  low intensity (5nT) magnetic fields. Received Thesis Award in the fields of Psychology

  Sports Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience

  Behavioural Neuroscience

  Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne

• 6

  Abstract:\n\nOBJECTIVE: Extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit (δGABAA receptors) are highly expressed in the dentate gyrus (DG) subfield of the hippocampus

  where they generate a tonic conductance that regulates neuronal activity. GABAA receptor-dependent signaling regulates memory and also facilitates postnatal neurogenesis in the adult DG; however

  the role of the δGABAA receptors in these processes is unclear. Accordingly

  we sought to determine whether δGABAA receptors regulate memory behaviors

  as well as neurogenesis in the DG.\n\nMETHODS: Memory and neurogenesis were studied in wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice that lacked δGABAA receptors (Gabrd-/- ). To pharmacologically increase δGABAA receptor activity

  mice were treated with the δGABAA receptor-preferring agonist 4

  7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(5

  4-c)pyridin-3-ol (THIP). Behavioral assays including recognition memory

  contextual discrimination

  and fear extinction were used. Neurogenesis was studied by measuring the proliferation

  survival

  migration

  maturation

  and dendritic complexity of adult-born neurons in the DG.\n\nRESULTS: Gabrd-/- mice exhibited impaired recognition memory and contextual discrimination relative to WT mice. Fear extinction was also impaired in Gabrd-/- mice

  although the acquisition of fear memory was enhanced. Neurogenesis was disrupted in Gabrd-/- mice as the migration

  maturation

  and dendritic development of adult-born neurons were impaired. Long-term treatment with THIP facilitated learning and neurogenesis in WT but not Gabrd-/- mice.\n\nINTERPRETATION: δGABAA receptors promote the performance of certain DG-dependent memory behaviors and facilitate neurogenesis. Furthermore

  δGABAA receptors can be pharmacologically targeted to enhance these processes

  γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit promote memory and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus.

  Beverley Orser

  Jieying Yu

  Dian-Shi Wang

  Abstract:\nγ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit (δGABAA receptors) are expressed in multiple types of neurons throughout the central nervous system

  where they generate a tonic conductance that shapes neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. These receptors regulate a variety of important behavioral functions

  including memory

  nociception and anxiety

  and may also modulate neurogenesis. Given their functional significance

  δGABAA receptors are considered to be novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of memory dysfunction

  pain

  insomnia and mood disorders. These receptors are highly responsive to sedative-hypnotic drugs

  general anesthetics and neuroactive steroids. A further remarkable feature of δGABAA receptors is that their expression levels are highly dynamic and fluctuate substantially during development and in response to physiological changes including stress and the reproductive cycle. Furthermore

  the expression of these receptors varies in pathological conditions such as alcoholism

  fragile X syndrome

  epilepsy

  depression

  schizophrenia

  mood disorders and traumatic brain injury. Such fluctuations in receptor expression have significant consequences for behavior and may alter responsiveness to therapeutic drugs. This review considers the alterations in the expression of δGABAA receptors associated with various states of health and disease and the implications of these changes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'GABAergic signaling'.

  Altered expression of δGABAA receptors in health and disease

  Michael A. Persinger

  Quoc Hao Mach

  Neil Fournier

  Internatioanl Journal of Developmental Neuroscience

  Abstract:\nThere has been increasing interest on the possible harmful effects of prenatal exposure to magnetic fields. To investigate the effect of weak intensity magnetic fields on the prenatal brain

  pregnant Wistar rats were continuously exposed to one of four intensities (reference: 5-20 nT; low 30-50 nT; medium 90-580 nT; high 590-1200 nT) of a complex magnetic field sequence designed to interfere with brain development. As adults

  rats exposed to the low-intensity (30-50 nT) complex magnetic field displayed impairments in contextual fear learning and showed anomalies in the cytological and morphological development of the hippocampus. In particular

  low-intensity exposures resulted in a reduction in overall hippocampal size and promoted subtle dysgenesis of the CA1 and CA3 regions. In contrast

  exposure to weaker or stronger intensities of the same complex magnetic field pattern did not interfere with hippocampal development or fear behavior. These findings suggest that prenatal exposure to complex magnetic fields of a narrow intensity window during development can result in subtle but permanent alterations in hippocampal microstructure and function that can have lasting effects on behavior.

  Neurodevelopmental anomalies of the hippocampus in rats exposed to weak intensity complex magnetic fields throughout gestation

  Michael A. Persinger

  Synergisms between pharmacological agents and endogenous neurotransmitters are familiar and frequent. The present review describes the experimental evidence for interactions between neuropharmacological compounds and the classes of weak magnetic fields that might be encountered in our daily environments. Whereas drugs mediate their effects through specific spatial (molecular) structures

  magnetic fields mediate their effects through specific temporal patterns. Very weak (microT range) physiologically-patterned magnetic fields synergistically interact with drugs to strongly potentiate effects that have classically involved opiate

  cholinergic

  dopaminergic

  serotonergic

  and nitric oxide pathways. The combinations of the appropriately patterned magnetic fields and specific drugs can evoke changes that are several times larger than those evoked by the drugs alone. These novel synergisms provide a challenge for a future within an electromagnetic

  technological world. They may also reveal fundamental

  common physical mechanisms by which magnetic fields and chemical reactions affect the organism from the level of fundamental particles to the entire living system.

  Emerging synergisms between drugs and physiologically-patterned weak magnetic fields: implications for neuropharmacology and the human population in the twenty-first century.

  Beverley Orser

  Dian-Shi Wang

  Dave Eng

  Abstract:\n\nExtrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors that contain the δ subunit (δGABAA receptors) are expressed in several brain regions including the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 subfields of the hippocampus. Drugs that increase δGABAA receptor activity have been proposed as treatments for a variety of disorders including insomnia

  epilepsy and chronic pain. Also

  long-term pretreatment with the δGABAA receptor-preferring agonist 4

  7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5

  4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP) enhances discrimination memory and increases neurogenesis in the DG. Despite the potential therapeutic benefits of such treatments

  the effects of acutely increasing δGABAA receptor activity on memory behaviors remain unknown. Here

  we studied the effects of THIP (4 mg/kg

  i.p.) on memory performance in wild-type (WT) and δGABAA receptor null mutant (Gabrd(-/-)) mice. Additionally

  the effects of THIP on long-term potentiation (LTP)

  a molecular correlate of memory

  were studied within the DG and CA1 subfields of the hippocampus using electrophysiological recordings of field potentials in hippocampal slices. The results showed that THIP impaired performance in the Morris water maze

  contextual fear conditioning and object recognition tasks in WT mice but not Gabrd(-/-) mice. Furthermore

  THIP inhibited LTP in hippocampal slices from WT but not Gabrd(-/-) mice

  an effect that was blocked by GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. Thus

  acutely increasing δGABAA receptor activity impairs memory behaviors and inhibits synaptic plasticity. These results have important implications for the development of therapies aimed at increasing δGABAA receptor activity.\n\nKEYWORDS: CA1

  THIP

  dentate gyrus

  extrasynaptic GABAA receptors

  long-term potentiation

  memory

  tonic inhibition

  δ subunit

  Acutely increasing δGABAA receptor activity impairs memory and inhibits synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus

  Beverley Orser

  Yves De Koninck

  Dave Eng

  Charalampos Labrakakis

  Rob Bonin

  Pain

  Abstract:\nThe development of new strategies for the treatment of acute pain requires the identification of novel nonopioid receptor targets. This study explored whether δ-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs (δGABA(A)Rs) in neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn generate a tonic inhibitory conductance in vitro and whether δGABA(A)R activity regulates acute nociception. Whole-cell recordings revealed that δGABA(A)Rs generate a tonic inhibitory conductance in cultured spinal neurons and lamina II neurons in spinal cord slices. Increasing δGABA(A)R function by applying the δGABA(A)R-preferring agonist 4

  7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5

  4-c]pyridine-3-ol (THIP) increased the tonic current and inhibited neuronal excitability in spinal neurons from wild-type (WT) but not δ subunit null-mutant (Gabrd(-/-)) mice. In behavioral studies

  baseline δGABA(A)R activity did not regulate acute nociception; however

  THIP administered intraperitoneally or intrathecally attenuated acute nociception in WT but not Gabrd(-/-) mice. In the formalin nociception assay

  the phase 1 response was similar for WT and Gabrd(-/-) mice. In contrast

  the phase 2 response

  which models central sensitization

  was greater in Gabrd(-/-) mice than WT. THIP administered intraperitoneally or intrathecally inhibited phase 1 responses of WT but not Gabrd(-/-) mice and had no effect on phase 2 responses of WT mice. Surprisingly

  THIP reduced the enhanced phase 2 response in Gabrd(-/-) mice. Together

  these results suggest that δGABA(A)Rs in spinal neurons play a major physiological and pharmacological role in the regulation of acute nociception and central sensitization. Spinal δ-subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors were identified with electrophysiological methods and behavioral models as novel targets for the treatment of acute pain.

  Pharmacological enhancement of δ-subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors that generate a tonic inhibitory conductance in spinal neurons attenuates acute nociception in mice

  Michael A. Persinger

  Bryce Mulligan

  Eric Tsang

  Weak (<1 microT) complex magnetic fields (CMFs) may exert their behavioral influences through the hippocampus by resonating by accident or design with intrinsic electrical patterns. Rats were exposed prenatally to one of four intensities of a CMF (either <5 nanoTesla [nT]

  10-50 nT

  50-500 nT

  or 500-1000 nT) designed to interact with the process of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Rats then underwent testing in the forced swim

  open field

  and fear-conditioning procedures. The cell densities of all amygdaloid nuclei

  specific hypothalamic structures

  and the major regions of the hippocampus were quantified. Results showed that acquisition of conditioned fear was strongly inhibited in animals exposed to LTP-CMFs. Rats exposed to intensities above 10 nT showed decreased cell density in the CA2 fields of the hippocampus; more neurons were present in the CA1 fields of rats exposed to the 10-50 nT intensities compared to all other groups. A decrease in cell density in the medial preoptic nucleus was linearly dependent on field intensity. In the forced-swim test

  swimming was decreased in rats that had been exposed to low (10-50 nT) and medium intensity (50-500 nT) LTP-CMFs in a manner consistent with monoamine modulation. In the open field

  exposed rats were indistinguishable from controls. These findings support the hypothesis that continuous exposure during prenatal development to CMFs designed to simulate intrinsic LTP within the hippocampus can affect adult behaviors specific to this structure and produce quantitative alterations in neuronal density.

  Prenatal exposures to LTP-patterned magnetic fields: quantitative effects on specific limbic structures and acquisition of contextually conditioned fear.

  •Helped train and evaluate teaching methods in University classrooms

  Science as a Critical Practice Workshop (Human Biology Program

  University of Toronto)

  • Critiques in Science: The Good

  The Bad and The Fluffy\n• Writing Grant Proposals\n• Doing Literature Reviews\n• Preparing Oral Presentations

  Teaching and Learning Community of Practice (Psychology Department

  University of Toronto)

  • Training writing skills in junior students\n• Designing effective short answer test questions\n• Managing teaching assistants\n• Fostering student growth through evaluation

  Module Co-Author: Pain Mechanisms and Manifestations (Interfaculty Pain Curriculum)

  Pedagogy Lecture and Lunch Series (with New College

  University of Toronto)

  • Use evaluations to change teaching practice\n• Deal with student disengagement\n• Resolve conflicts in academic settings\n

  Teaching and Learning Office Pedagogy Meetings (Ryerson University)

  • Designing Open and Accessible Textbooks\n• Designing Effective and Relevant Assessments\n• Helped contribute to classroom design\n