Chris received his B.S. in psychology (with a focus in clinical psychology) from Arizona State University and his PhD in neurobiology and behavior from Wesleyan University. He then joined Dr. Lisa Boulanger's lab at Princeton University to perform his postdoctoral research in neuro-immunology. There, he became a New Jersey Association for Clinical and Translational Science Fellow and discovered that the host immune response to adeno-associated virus can cause damage to dendritic arbors in cortex.

I am Retwika Ganguly. I am a graduate student at Montclair State University with a Molecular Biology major. Presently I am working on how Toll-like receptor signaling modulates the foraging behavior in C. elegans in a hunger state-dependent manner. Based on many studies so far, the importance of TOL-1 in pathogen avoidance has been well established, but its role in foraging has not been examined yet. Apart from that, I am also interested to know about the extracellular signaling of Tol-1 – what does Tol-1 bind to – is it a bacterium, or virus or a fungus? In order to do that, I am trying to use clustal omega (a bioinformatics tool) for multiple sequence analysis. I wish to work as a researcher in the Pharmaceutical industry after I graduate

I am Faith Stavola, a molecular biology graduate student at Montclair State University. I graduated from The College of New Jersey in May 2023 with a biology undergraduate degree. I always had a passion for neuroscience and molecular biology and have a personal drive for both fields. I believe working alongside Dr. Suriano on research involving Toll-like receptors, immunomodulatory molecules, and neurotransmitters within mice is of paramount importance and is very interesting! There are many neurological disorders/conditions that do not have efficacious treatments available and are largely idiopathic, so research utilizing mice as a model organism can have many human health applications. I plan to work in biomedical research after my graduate degree or further my education in molecular biology with a Ph.D.

As a graduate student majoring in physiology at Montclair State University with an interest in immunology and neuroscience. Our research, centered on Toll-like receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), has provided me with a robust foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical lab techniques. This experience has equipped me with the skills necessary to contribute to the biotechnology industry. I am eager to apply my research expertise to develop innovative solutions, enhance drug discovery processes, and improve disease models. My ultimate goal is to contribute to advancements in human health through these endeavors."

I am Kamya Shah, a molecular biology graduate researcher at Montclair State University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Suriano. My research delves into the fascinating world of neuroscience and immunology, focusing on Caenorhabditis elegans. I investigate toll-like receptors and their behavioral and functional responses to environmental stressors, such as varying concentrations of ethanol and vibrations. This work aims to unravel the complexities of these receptors, shedding light on their role in stress resilience and offering insights with potential implications for broader biological and medical fields. This research will pave the way for my future Ph.D. studies in immunology.

I am an undergraduate research student at Montclair State University majoring in Biology with hopes to get into medical school in the next couple years. While my specialty in medicine is still uncertain, I have always had an attachment to neuroscience and the complexities of the nervous system and the brain. By working alongside Dr. Suriano, I am hoping to cultivate my passion for research, medicine and neuroscience.

I am an undergraduate student majoring in molecular biology on the pre-med track at Montclair State University. I am aiming to pursue medical school after graduation and become a doctor. I enjoy learning about the brain because the research is limitless as we have not discovered everything yet!

I am an undergraduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a major in Biology and minors in Psychology and Chemistry following a pre-med track.

I am a second-year student at MSU majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology on a pre-med track.

I am an undergraduate student at Montclair State University, majoring in Molecular Biology. Under the supervision of Dr. Suriano, I am excited to continue my love for neuroscience by studying the effects of gene therapy vectors, such as adeno-associated virus, on the brain. I hope to attend medical school to become a physician.