Heather's daughters:

Dr. Heather Bimonte-Nelson, Principal Investigator and Laboratory Director

My undergraduate degree in Psychology was earned at Richard Stockton College located near the beach in Pomona, NJ. To follow my interests in brain and behavior, I began my doctoral research under the mentorship of Dr. Victor Denenberg at the University of Connecticut. My doctoral research focused upon sex differences in brain morphology and function in the rodent, and how ovarian hormones affected the expression of sex differences in an activational and organizational fashion. The idea that gonadal hormones could have such a profound influence on the brain and behavior was intriguing to me, and this area of work became my passion. After earning my Ph.D. in 2000, I started my postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Ann-Charlotte Granholm at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, and several months later I helped move the laboratory to the Medical University of South Carolina. In a series of studies we found that aged male and female rats exhibited poorer working and reference memory relative to young rats, an effect that correlated with cortical neurotrophin levels. Soon after beginning my postdoctoral fellowship I also started investigating gonadal hormone effects on cognition and neurotrophins during aging in the rodent.

Collectively, our initial as well as our current findings demonstrate that estrogen and progesterone have divergent effects on memory and neurobiology in aging females. We also have newer data suggesting that the memory effects of ovarian hormone loss and replacement depend on age. Using the rodent model, we are currently testing the cognitive and neurobiological effects of hormones used by women in the clinic, such as Premarin and MPA. These complex interactive relationships between hormones, aging, and memory are a large thrust of our current work here at ASU, which began when the Bimonte-Nelson Memory and Aging Laboratory was initiated in June of 2005. We are also interested in non-pharmacological approaches to protecting the brain and cognition against age-related change. I am thrilled that recently I received tenure with promotion to Associate Professor, here at ASU. When I am not in the laboratory or teaching, I enjoy the beautiful Arizona atmosphere by spending time outdoors with my husband, Matt, and our two young daughters, Hailey and Brooke. I also enjoy crafts, concerts and writing short stories.

Cynthia Zay (BSMT), Laboratory Manager

I received my Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1973 from Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO. I became certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologist in 1974. I worked for 12 years in hospital Clinical labs providing the critical information necessary for physicians to diagnose and treat patients. I was fortunate to see the advent of computerization of laboratory and clinical patient care as well as the progression of more accurate and sensitive testing and new diagnostic aids which improved the quality of health care in the US. Due to relocations, I worked for 3 years at Baker Instruments, in Allentown, Pa. as the Technical Specialist for a new clinical chemistry analyzer, then 4 years in IT at Harper Community College in Palatine, IL where I helped grow the network from 150 nodes to over 1500.While living in Memphis, TN. I began working part time in a small veterinary clinic where I gained valuable experience working with animals(not rats though) I also went back in to the hospital laboratory and worked part time at a hospital laboratory.

I relocated to AZ in 2004 (I was tired of gloomy rainy weather) where I heard about this field called Neuroscience and the fascinating info. which was coming out of the research. Managing a research laboratory is quite an exciting endeavor for me. I am learning many new skills as well as using those from all my various careers. I really enjoy the contact with the students and the many intellectually stimulating conversations and projects being done.

Jazmin Acosta (PhD), Postdoctoral Fellow

As an undergraduate, I attended the City University of New York where I majored in Psychology. After taking an undergraduate class in Physiological Psychology, I was invited to join a team of researchers at the New York University Hospital where I worked with Alzheimer's patients administering a battery of neuropsychological tests. I also worked with Dr. Richard Bodnar examining central opioid receptor systems and pain-inhibition as an undergraduate. As a doctoral student at Arizona State University, I first worked with Dr. Neisewander investigating the role of specific serotonin receptor subtypes in incentive motivation for cocaine. I joined the Bimonte-Nelson laboratory two years ago to pursue my passion of studying the effects of ovarian hormones on cognition, age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. On August 21st, 2009, I defended my dissertation, and completed the doctoral program in the Behavioral Neuroscience program in the ASU Psychology department. My dissertation work was done in the Bimonte-Nelson laboratory, studying how etiology of menopause and hormone therapy impacts cognition in the animal model.

Joshua Talboom (MA), Graduate Student

I attended Fruita Monument High School in Grand Junction Colorado, where I also attended college at Mesa State. I received my BA in psychology with a minor in biology. My undergraduate experience was diverse as I participated in a few performing arts, was the president of the local Psi Chi chapter, and conducted semi-independent research. In my undergraduate research, I examined why humans gossip as well as the prenatal effects of cocaine on the cerebral ventricles in mice. I am currently a 4th year PhD student within the Behavioral Neuroscience program at ASU. My current interests include discovering the molecular mechanisms that underlie memory and aging, as well as how hormones interact with age to affect memory.

Liz Engler (BS), Graduate Student

I am originally from southern California and graduated from Thousand Oaks High School. I attended Arizona State University as an undergrad and earned a BS in Psychology with honors from Barrett, the Honors College, minoring in Spanish. As a member of the Solur Researcher program, I began working with Dr. Bimonte-Nelson in March of 2006 to start work on my senior honors thesis project. This study investigated the effects of ovariectomy at different timepoints during aging in the female rat on water radial arm and Morris maze performance. I spent a semester studying language in Granada, Spain and volunteered for a medical outreach excursion to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where I served as a student clinician and interpreter. Currently, I am beginning my third year in the lab. My research interests include changes in cognition associated with aging, the effects of ovarian hormone loss and changes in other gonadotropins on spatial behavior, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Blair Braden (MA), Graduate Student

I am originally from Frankfort Kentucky and recently graduated from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. I received my BS in psychology with honors and a minor in mathematics. In my undergraduate research I completed an honors thesis on the individual and combined effects of alcohol and the HIV protein tat on hippocampal cell tissue cultures. I was a member of Psi Chi and also participated in a wide variety of community service and intramural athletics. I am currently beginning my third year of graduate school. My current interest focuses on the molecular mechanism that underlie hormonal effects on memory and cognition, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Bryan Camp (BA), Graduate Student

I am originally from northern Wisconsin. I graduated from Northland Pines High School. I attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a BA in Psychology. In my undergraduate research I worked in the caloric restriction lab at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. My senior thesis project investigated the impact of age on fine motor movements in the upper limbs of aged rhesus macaques. I stayed on at the WNPRC as a research technician where I worked on projects investigating Parkinson's, the HIV virus, diabetes, influenza, maternal behavior, and dietary restriction. I am currently a first year student in the lab. My research interests include the impact that the aging process has on cognition, the effects of ovarian hormones on memory, and neurodegenerative diseases. 

Candy Tsang, Undergraduate SOLUR Research Assistant

I graduated from Washington High School for the year 2007 in the top 10% in Phoenix, Arizona. I was selected to join the SOLUR (School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research) program as an apprentice in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I was matched up by the SOLUR program to work with Dr. Heather Bimonte-Nelson, in order to study the effects of ovarian hormones and aging on cognition. I am attending Arizona State University, majoring in microbiology and minoring in psychology. In two years, I hope to graduate with a bachelor of science, and enter medical school.

Alexandra Garcia, Undergraduate SOLUR Research Assistant

I am a senior undergraduate at ASU, and I am part of the SOLUR program. I have been in Heather's lab for just over a year. I have performed many procedures, including maze testing and brain histology. My goals are to go to graduate school and earn my PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience. 

Sarah Mennenga, Undergraduate SOLUR Research Assistant

I am originally from Champagne, Illinois but moved to Arizona when I was very young. I graduated from Gilbert High School in 2006 and am now a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. I joined the Bimonte-Nelson lab in Fall of 2008 and have been involved in our research ever since. I joined the SOLUR (School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research) program as an apprentice in spring of 2008 and was also recently elected President of Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology.

Michael Cosand, Undergraduate SOLUR Research Assistant

I am a native of Arizona. I graduated from Valley Christian high school in 2002. I am a senior undergraduate. I have been working in the Bimonte-Nelson laboratory for almost 9 months now, and have become heavily involved in our research. I joined the SOLUR (School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research) program at the level of Researcher. My goals are to continue my education in Behavioral Neuroscience and earn a PhD.

Paige Thomasson, Undergraduate Research Assistant

I have lived in Arizona for over 15 years and graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2005. I am now a senior pursuing a BS in Psychology at ASU. I joined this wonderful lab in January, 2009, and have enjoying working on projects looking at the cognitive effects of hormones and aging. After graduation I plan on pursuing a PhD in psychology or the neurosciences, and continue research.

Stephanie Villa, Undergraduate SOLUR Research Assistant

I am a senior undergraduate at ASU, pursuing a B.S. in Biology and Physiology. After completing a semester of research in the Department of Biochemistry, I joined the Bimonte-Nelson lab as a SOLUR apprentice in the spring of 2009. Since then I have enjoyed participating in research on the cognitive effects of hormones and aging. After graduation I plan to earn my PhD in neurobiology while pursuing my interest in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. 

Madeline Andrews, Undergraduate SOLUR Research Assistant

I am native to Arizona and began my undergraduate career at ASU in the fall of 2006. I am currently a senior working toward earning my Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I joined the Bimonte-Nelson lab in the spring of 2009 where I have enjoyed working on a project examining hormonal effects on the hippocampus . This summer, as a CNUP summer fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, I continued to develop my research skills by studying memory reconsolidation in the nucleus accumbens. This year, as a SOLUR student researcher, I am working on my senior thesis. In the future, I plan to pursue a PhD in the neurosciences and further develop my interests in molecular facets of brain function and causes for neurodegenerative disease.