Pravda Quinones

Address: 2400 PBDB
Phone: (319) 353-4535
Email: pravada-quinones@uiowa.edu

Mentor: Ted Abel, PhD

Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa

Graduate Program: Pharmacology

Year Entered Into Program: 2022

Research Description

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and is known to disproportionately affect males. The mechanism responsible for male vulnerability or female protection is unknown. Elucidating the molecular underpinnings of sociability could result in the development of new therapeutic targets for social deficits. My work as a research intern included investigating the mechanisms of social deficits and sex differences in neurodevelopmental disorders. Prior to joining the Abel lab, our lab had demonstrated basolateral amygdala (BLA) activation in C57BL/6J (B6) mice during social approach behavior. Alongside research scientist Dr. Ferri, I worked on identifying the neural circuits in the BLA involved in social approach behavior using fiber photometry technology.

Awards

Publications

  • Matasic, D. S., Yoon, J. Y., Haider, M., McLendon, J. M., Schmidt, M. S., Greiner, A. M., Quinones, P., Morgan, G. M., Boudreau, R., Irani, K., Brenner, C., & London, B.  Modulation of the cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5 peak and late currents by NAD+ precursors. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 141:70-81, 2020.  PMCID: PMC7234910

 

 

Research