Guest Editors
Mary G. Hornick
Roosevelt University College of Science, Health & Pharmacy
Dr. Mary Hornick is an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences in the College of Science, Health and Pharmacy at Roosevelt University. She obtained her M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University followed by her Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her projects have included establishing the potential and efficacy of endothelin B receptor agonists for the treatment of ischemic stroke (Sovateltide/TyvalziTM now on the market in India), Alzheimer’s Disease, and neonatal HIE. Since joining Roosevelt University, she has turned the focus of her research towards the use of cannabinoids and psychedelic compounds for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Arun Jadhav
Roosevelt University College of Science, Health & Pharmacy
Dr. Arun Jadhav received his B.S. and M.S. from University of Pune (India) in chemistry. He obtained his PhD in Pharmacology from Loyola University of Chicago, where he was a member of a group developing novel purine derivatives in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph R. Davis. After completing the graduate work, Dr. Jadhav pursued his interest in purines as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Arley Nelson at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX before leaving a year later for a position as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Texas Southern University. There he developed interest in the role of dopamine in learning and memory and studied dopamine-mediated processes in conditioned behavior. Dr. Jadhav currently serves as a Professor of Pharmacology at Roosevelt University College of Sciences, Health, and Pharmacy.
Collection Overview
Despite its numerous defenses, the human brain comes under assault from the moment of conception to the day we die. The developmental stages from fetus to young adulthood are particularly vulnerable as the brain grows and matures, establishing and pruning connections that can last a lifetime in response to genetic, environmental, and psychosocial triggers. The rise in mental disorders and substance abuse among youth necessitates increased research and understanding into how these triggers impact the developing brain and how we can prevent or correct certain pathologies before they become an enduring burden on the individual.
While most historical and current research on the developing brain has utilized animal models, these can be difficult to translate directly to human correlates and can be fraught with ethical issues. Novel approaches using everything from cell lines to organoids to computer models and AI have increasingly expanded our ability to manipulate and study the human brain in ethical and relevant ways.
The goal of this Methods Collection is to serve as a repository for current and future in vitro and in silico models of central nervous system development. These models can be tailored to enhance our understanding of neuropathologies, ultimately leading to novel drug discoveries and preventative measures.
