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My research interests are concerned with elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive learning and behavior.
The role of Nucleus Accumbens cell types in learning
The role of Nucleus Accumbens cell types in learning
Studying the role of nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in appetitive Pavlovian Conditioning.
Single cell-level calcium imaging of neural ensembles implicated in reward and aversive signaling.
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Neural mechanisms of behavioral flexibility
Neural mechanisms of behavioral flexibility
A major focus of my research is understanding the neural circuit mechanisms by which learned behavioral strategies can be flexibly adapted to adjust to changing environments.
Our previous research has demonstrated nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) to play a critical role in controlling reversal learning.
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Macpherson et al., 2022, Frontiers in Neuroscience
The role of the ventral pallidum in learning
The role of the ventral pallidum in learning
Identifying the specific cell types in the ventral pallidum and their role in Pavlovian learning
Investigating dopamine signaling within the ventral pallidum
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Macpherson et al., 2019, Neurochemistry International
The role of the subthalamic nucleus in motor and limbic control
The role of the subthalamic nucleus in motor and limbic control
Elucidating the role of subthalamic nucleus neurons in controlling locomotor activity and reward and aversive learning.
Optogenetic and neural imaging techniques are employed.
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