UROP Project

Sleep, mice, RNA, molecular, neuroscience, hippocampus
Research Mentor: Dr. Lisa Lyons,
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Program in Neuroscience, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lyons@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Natalie Storch
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: nstorch@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, BMS
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

Sleep fragmentation and chronic insomnia are significant public health concerns that affect millions of children, teenagers and adults. Sleep fragmentation impairs learning and cognitive performance, increases disease risk for many diseases, and aggravates neurological disorders. We are interested in the neural and molecular consequences of chronic sleep restriction. We seek undergraduate research assistants to help investigate the impacts of chronic sleep restriction in a mouse model.

Research Tasks: Student will be assisting with chronic sleep restriction experiments including animal monitoring and tissue collection. Student will need to complete training necessary for working with animals on an animal care protocol. Student will be responsible for checking on animals when assigned, assisting with sleep restriction and maintaining accurate records of weight and behavior. Student will also be expected to learn basic molecular skills in the laboratory in preparation for assisting with molecular experiments. Student will also help with lab maintenance, be expected to read assigned literature, and attend weekly lab meetings. This project requires all in person work.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong background in biology and neuroscience. Pipetting experience required. Recommended: experience with solution making.

Mentoring Philosophy

I strive to help students become critical thinkers who ask questions, pay attention to details, and discuss science and scientific results from multiple angles. I encourage students to show initiative in their work and in their approach to science through a lab atmosphere that emphasizes reading scientific literature and discussing scientific questions and approaches. Everyone in the lab is encouraged to think about the research objectives and how the objectives may be achieved. I work with students to plan experiments or find solutions for problems that arise, but I encourage students to work independently to perform experiments after training.

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