Dr. Flanagan-Cato's research activities focus on the biological basis of behaviors essential for life, namely thirst, salt and food ingestion, and mating, at the level of synaptic connectivity and signal transduction. These behaviors are controlled by steroid hormones and neuropeptides acting in the hypothalamus. To reveal the plasticity and signaling mechanisms that underlie these behaviors we used neuroanatomical, molecular pharmacological, and behavioral techniques. We are especially interested in a few specific neuroendocrine signals, including: oxytocin, angiotensin II, and glutamate.
FLANAGAN-CATO TEAM:
Lori Flanagan-Cato, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology.
Lori was born in Bronx, NY. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers College (1985), and her Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh (1990). She also was a postdoctoral fellow at Rockefeller University (1990-1993) and University of Pennsylvania (1993-1994) before she joined the Psychology Department (1994).
Laura Felgendreger
Graduate Student in the Neuroscience Graduate Group.
Laura was born in Fair Haven, NJ. She received a double B.S. in Physiology/Neurobiology and Psychology from University of Maryland (2008).
Sarah Ferri
Graduate Student in the Psychology Graduate Group.
Sarah was born in Monroe, CT. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Brandeis University (2004).
Sam Way
Graduate Student in the Psychology Graduate Group.
Sam was born in Wantagh, NY. She received her B.S. in Animal Sciences from University of Maryland (2011).
Carlos Rohrbach
Research Technician
Carlos was born in Mexico City, Mexico and was raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He received his B.A. in Biology from University of Pennsylvania (2012).