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Principal Investigator
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Zachary Ford, BS
Zachary completed his undergraduate degree in neuroscience from Ohio Wesleyan University and is currently a 4th year student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Cincinnati. Zachary's research focuses on the peripheral pain circuits during development and since joining the Davidson lab, he is investigating the phenomenon of itch priming in mice using behavioral and electrophysiological techniques. In his down time, he enjoys TV and film, as well as playing sports and games of all kinds. |
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Feni Kadakia, BS
Feni obtained her BS in Neuroscience from The Ohio State University. During her time at Ohio State, she researched the efficacy of heart failure drugs on beta-adrenergic stress-induced cardiac damage in dystrophic animal models. Currently, Feni is a second-year graduate student in the UC Neuroscience Graduate Program. Her research interests focuses on understanding the role of thalamic projections to limbic cortical areas such as the Insula and Anterior Cingulate Gyrus. When she’s not in the lab, she enjoys yoga, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family. |
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Alexander Bunk, BS
Alex obtained his BS in Cell & Molecular Biology and his BS in Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati, where he is currently a student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. During his undergraduate studies, he worked in a lab at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center investigating the relationship between temporal lobe epilepsy and the post-transcriptional regulation of the potassium channel, Kv4.2, in acute, chronic, and genetic mouse models of the disease. In the Davidson lab, Alex's research is focused on the interactions between co-cultured keratinocytes and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons, as well as the effects of cannabinoids on the activity of DRG sensory neurons. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, video games, and visiting new places. |
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Adam Kirry, PhD
Adam obtained his PhD from Marquette University while studying the neuromodulatory mechanisms and systems-level communication of the prefrontal cortex necessary for fear learning. His research interests include determining if there are overlapping prefrontal neuronal populations responsible for nociceptive sensitization and affect dysregulation in other mood disorders. He would like to determine what genetic factors, signaling mechanisms, and anatomical connectivity underlies the common recruitment of prefrontal neuronal populations in pain and affective disorders. Adam likes his family, sports, Flamin’ Hot branded and unbranded snacks, and reading books 5 pages at a time. |
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Laura Maile, BS
Laura received her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education- Biology from the University of Cincinnati. After teaching high school science for several gratifying years, she has returned to UC to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience. As a second-year graduate student, Laura is interested in investigating the neural circuitry that contributes to the sensory and affective components of pain, with a special interest in the susceptibility to chronic pain. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and traveling the world. |
