Research Interests and Background

-My research background includes investigations of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms by which small mammals respond to seasonally changing environments. These studies focused on the regulation of seasonal shifts in thyroid activity in small mammals and the mechanisms by which small mammals measure seasonal changes in daylength. My current research interests focus on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of alcohol metabolism in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans and the potential use of this round worm as a model for human alcoholism.

Directed Studies Projects

-My students are currently engaged in studies of alcohol metabolism in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. We are investigating the isolation and characterization of the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, the developmental expression of alcohol dehydrogenase, and the tissue-specific distribution of this enzyme. Further, we are also examining the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the life-history parameters of this nematode.