Measuring Sensitivity to Probability vs. Emotional Reactivity in Risk Perception

Investigator:  Heather Lacy, Bryant Scientific Theme: Neuroscience Abstract: When patients make medical decisions, such as choosing between medication vs. surgery, it is often assumed that they are weighing the risks of each option, considering the probabilities of successful treatment and possible side effects along with the impact of those outcomes.  However, dual-process models of information processing predict […]

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Early Comprehension of Action-Related Words

Investigator: Beverly Goldfield, Rhode Island College Scientific Theme:  Neuroscience Abstract: The specific aim of this proposal is to examine the earliest evidence for children’s comprehension of words, other than verbs, that encode action. We examine comprehension of action-related words using the Preferential Looking Task (PLT) which measures comprehension by comparing a child’s visual gaze to two […]

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Modeling Dopaminergic Neuron Response to Neurostimulation for Parkinson’s Disease

Investigator: Edward Dougherty, Roger Williams University Scientific Theme: Neuroscience Abstract: The goal of this research is to construct a comprehensive mathematical model of a dopaminergic neuron that can be utilized to study the biological mechanisms by which electrical stimulation therapies treat Parkinson’s disease. The specific aims are to: (i) Develop and implement a mathematical model of a dopaminergic […]

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Small Molecule Mimics of Superoxide Regulating Enzymes

Investigator: Marie Carroll, Providence College Scientific Theme: Molecular Toxicology Abstract: The design of new small molecules with therapeutic applications is of significant importance to modern medicine, and one approach is to mimic natural systems.   The proposed research will focus on the development of 3d metal complexes that catalyze the disproportionation of superoxide, O2 -, to O2 and […]

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Pharmacotherapeutic intervention in animal model of body dysmorphic disorder

Investigator:Christopher Bloom, Providence College Scientific Theme: Neuroscience Abstract: This project proposes a pharmacological test of a new animal model of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD is characterized by preoccupation with perceived slight or imagined physical flaws, the effects of which can be debilitating. The mental health and social functioning measures in individuals with BDD are worse than […]

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Effect of genetic diversity on virulence and transmission using ants as a model

Investigator: Heather Axen, Salve Regina University Scientific Theme: Neuroscience Abstract: Emerging human health concerns like the growing potential for global pandemics and increasing limitations of longstanding treatments such antibiotics emphasize the importance of understanding mechanisms of disease avoidance and resistance across genetic, physiological, and behavioral levels to find new methods of prevention and treatment. Experimental investigations on […]

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Regulation of gene expression by mutant Swi/Snf complexes and their interactors

Investigator: Arnob Dutta, University of Rhode Island Mentor: Niall Howlett, University of Rhode Island Scientific Theme: Cancer Abstract: Access to DNA packaged into chromatin is orchestrated by the function of large multi-subunit chromatin modifying complexes, which either post-translationally modify residues on histone tails or use ATP to slide/evict histones. Recent genome-wide profiling in diseased states has highlighted that somatic […]

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Early Comprehension of Action-Related Words

Investigator: Beverly Goldfield, Rhode Island College Abstract: The specific aim of this proposal is to examine the earliest evidence for children’s comprehension of words, other than verbs, that encode action. We examine comprehension of action-related words using the Preferential Looking Task (PLT) which measures comprehension by comparing a child’s visual gaze to two images (target/distracter) […]

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Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha as integrator of bile acid and Inflammation Signaling

Investigator: Nisanne Ghonem, University of Rhode Island Mentor: James Boyer, Yale University School of Medicine Abstract: Chronic cholestatic liver diseases result from an impairment of bile production and cause intracellular retention of bile acids (BAs) and subsequent cell toxicity and organ damage. Accumulation of toxic BAs is a significant contributor to disease progression.  Cholestasis, or […]

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Sustained Intravitreal Drug Delivery Platform For The Treatment Of Uveal Melanoma

Investigator: Jie Shen, University of Rhode Island Mentor: Edith Mathiowitz, Brown University Abstract: Uveal melanoma (UM) is rare yet the most common and malignant primary intraocular tumor in adults. Due to the lack of effective treatment, the mortality rate of UM has remained high over the past few decades. In order to improve the prognosis […]

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