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Gwenaëlle E. Thomas
(Gwen-Eye-Yell) (Tow-Ma) Duke University, School of Medicine Bryan Research Center 311 Research Drive Durham NC 27710 |
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EDUCATION
Duke University 2016
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Neurobiology, Duke School of Medicine
Thesis: Dissecting dopaminergic mechanisms underlying executive functioning
Advisors: Kafui Dzirasa, MD, Ph.D ; Marc Caron, Ph.D
Committee Chair: Anne West, MD, Ph.D
Certificate for College Teaching 2019
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2012
B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Minor Psychology
Cum Laude
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Neurobiology, Duke School of Medicine
Thesis: Dissecting dopaminergic mechanisms underlying executive functioning
Advisors: Kafui Dzirasa, MD, Ph.D ; Marc Caron, Ph.D
Committee Chair: Anne West, MD, Ph.D
Certificate for College Teaching 2019
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2012
B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Minor Psychology
Cum Laude
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND FUNDING
2020 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Duke University 2020
2020 Women’s Weekend Scholar, Duke University 2020
Professional Development Awardee Neuroscience Scholars Program, Society for Neuroscience 2019
Borden Scholar, Duke University 2019
School of Medicine Graduate Student Representative, Duke University 2019
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS):
Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop, Washington D.C.
Neuroscience Scholars Program Associate, Society for Neuroscience 2018
Duke Scholar in Molecular Medicine, Duke University 2018
National Science Foundation: Graduate Research Fellow 2018
Graduate Presenter Award, Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) 2017
Mid-Atlantic Prep Research Symposium , Baltimore, MD
Biocore Scholar, Duke University 2016
Undergraduate Poster Award: Computational and Systems Biology, 2013
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, TN
National Society of Collegiate Scholar 2013
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Scholar 2012
Meyerhoff Scholar, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2012
2020 Women’s Weekend Scholar, Duke University 2020
Professional Development Awardee Neuroscience Scholars Program, Society for Neuroscience 2019
Borden Scholar, Duke University 2019
School of Medicine Graduate Student Representative, Duke University 2019
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS):
Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop, Washington D.C.
Neuroscience Scholars Program Associate, Society for Neuroscience 2018
Duke Scholar in Molecular Medicine, Duke University 2018
National Science Foundation: Graduate Research Fellow 2018
Graduate Presenter Award, Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) 2017
Mid-Atlantic Prep Research Symposium , Baltimore, MD
Biocore Scholar, Duke University 2016
Undergraduate Poster Award: Computational and Systems Biology, 2013
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, TN
National Society of Collegiate Scholar 2013
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Scholar 2012
Meyerhoff Scholar, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2012
Research Experience
Laboratory for Psychiatric Neuroengineering 2016
Duke University: Durham, NC
PI: Kafui Dzirasa, MD., Ph.D
Dept. of Psychiatry/Neurobiology/Biomedical Engineering
Ph.D Student
Caron Lab 2016
Duke University: Durham, NC
PI: Marc Caron, Ph. D
Dept. of Cellular and Molecular Biology/Neurobiology
Ph.D Student
Laboratory for Psychiatric Neuroengineering 2015
Duke University: Durham, NC
PI: Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, MD., Ph.D
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
Dulawa Lab 2014
University of Chicago: Chicago, IL
PI: Stephanie Dulawa, Ph.D
Dept. of Psychiatry
Undergraduate Research Assistant: The Leadership Alliance
Eppig Lab 2013
The Jackson Laboratory: Bar Harbor, ME
PI: Janan Eppig, Ph.D
Dept. of Bioinformatics/Genetics and Genomics
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Duke University: Durham, NC
PI: Kafui Dzirasa, MD., Ph.D
Dept. of Psychiatry/Neurobiology/Biomedical Engineering
Ph.D Student
Caron Lab 2016
Duke University: Durham, NC
PI: Marc Caron, Ph. D
Dept. of Cellular and Molecular Biology/Neurobiology
Ph.D Student
Laboratory for Psychiatric Neuroengineering 2015
Duke University: Durham, NC
PI: Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, MD., Ph.D
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
Dulawa Lab 2014
University of Chicago: Chicago, IL
PI: Stephanie Dulawa, Ph.D
Dept. of Psychiatry
Undergraduate Research Assistant: The Leadership Alliance
Eppig Lab 2013
The Jackson Laboratory: Bar Harbor, ME
PI: Janan Eppig, Ph.D
Dept. of Bioinformatics/Genetics and Genomics
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Publications
Thomas GE, Protecting the Information of our Vulnerable Children and Youth Act (HR 5703, 116th Congress) Summary. Duke SciPol. 2020.
Thomas GE, Davis B, Warren JA, Veleta K, Langloss BW, Tribble J,Watkins RL. Climate Change Legislation: The Activity of the State. JSPG. 2020. (In preparation)
Vu MT, David LK, Thomas GE, Vagwala M, Burrus C, Gallagher NM, Wang J, Adamson E, Mague SD, Soderling S, Adcock RA, Dzirasa K. Brain-wide electrical spatiotemporal dynamics encode reward anticipation. Cell, 2019. (In review)
Thomas GE, Tribble J. Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019 (HR 100, 116th Congress) Brief. Duke SciPol. 2019.
Thomas GE, Davis B, Warren JA, Veleta K, Langloss BW, Tribble J,Watkins RL. Climate Change Legislation: The Activity of the State. JSPG. 2020. (In preparation)
Vu MT, David LK, Thomas GE, Vagwala M, Burrus C, Gallagher NM, Wang J, Adamson E, Mague SD, Soderling S, Adcock RA, Dzirasa K. Brain-wide electrical spatiotemporal dynamics encode reward anticipation. Cell, 2019. (In review)
Thomas GE, Tribble J. Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019 (HR 100, 116th Congress) Brief. Duke SciPol. 2019.
Presented abstracts
Thomas GE, Hughes DN, Waters D, Talbot A, Dzirasa K. Network Dynamics of Negative Valence Systems in Decision Making. Society for Neuroscience. Chicago, IL. 2019
Thomas GE, Fink AJ, Chandrasekhar R, Caron MG, Dzirasa K. Assessing Region Specific Neurophysiological Effects of UNC9994A Administration. Neurobiology Departmental Retreat, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2019.
Thomas GE, Vu MT, David LK, Adamson EJ, Dzirasa K. Elucidating Neuronal Firing during a Working Memory Task in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Mid-Atlantic Prep & IMSD Research Symposium, Baltimore, MD, 2017.
Thomas GE, Vu MT, David LK, Adamson EJ, Dzirasa K. Elucidating Neuronal Firing during a Working Memory Task in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Biocore Research Symposium, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC, 2017.
Vu MT, Burrus CJ, Vagwala M, Mague SD, David LK, Wang J, Thomas GE, Adcock RA, Soderling SH, Dzirasa K. Anticipatory and Reward-responsive Neural Activity of Mesocorticolimbic DA Circuitry in Mice Performing a Sample-to-match Task. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2016.
Vu MT, Burrus CJ, Vagwala M, Thomas GE, David LK, Wang J, Mague S, Adcock RA, Soderling S, Dzirasa K. Altered Neural Firing Patterns Signal Cognitive Deficits in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Basic Science Day, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 2015.
Thomas GE, Vu MT, Burrus CJ, Dzirasa K.Investigating the Role of Neuronal Firing on Cognitive Performance in Arp2/3 Mice. Biocore Research Symposium, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC, 2015.
Thomas GE, Klenotich S, Huang E, Dulawa SJ. Optimizing Activity-Based Anorexia for Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated Under Designers Drugs (DREADDs). Chicago Research Symposium. Chicago, IL, 2014
Thomas GE, Klenotich S, Dulawa SJ. Optimizing Activity-Based Anorexia in C57Bl6/J Mice. Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS), Stratford, CT, 2014
Thomas GE, Krupke DM, Bello Sue SM, Eppig JT. Finding Potential New Candidate Genes for the Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia Using Mouse Phenomics and Bioinformatics. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Nashville, TN, 2013.
Thomas GE, Krupke DM, Bello Sue SM, Eppig JT. Finding Potential New Candidate Genes for the Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia Using Mouse Phenomics and Bioinformatics. Basic Science Day, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 2013.
Thomas GE, Fink AJ, Chandrasekhar R, Caron MG, Dzirasa K. Assessing Region Specific Neurophysiological Effects of UNC9994A Administration. Neurobiology Departmental Retreat, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2019.
Thomas GE, Vu MT, David LK, Adamson EJ, Dzirasa K. Elucidating Neuronal Firing during a Working Memory Task in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Mid-Atlantic Prep & IMSD Research Symposium, Baltimore, MD, 2017.
Thomas GE, Vu MT, David LK, Adamson EJ, Dzirasa K. Elucidating Neuronal Firing during a Working Memory Task in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Biocore Research Symposium, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC, 2017.
Vu MT, Burrus CJ, Vagwala M, Mague SD, David LK, Wang J, Thomas GE, Adcock RA, Soderling SH, Dzirasa K. Anticipatory and Reward-responsive Neural Activity of Mesocorticolimbic DA Circuitry in Mice Performing a Sample-to-match Task. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2016.
Vu MT, Burrus CJ, Vagwala M, Thomas GE, David LK, Wang J, Mague S, Adcock RA, Soderling S, Dzirasa K. Altered Neural Firing Patterns Signal Cognitive Deficits in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Basic Science Day, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 2015.
Thomas GE, Vu MT, Burrus CJ, Dzirasa K.Investigating the Role of Neuronal Firing on Cognitive Performance in Arp2/3 Mice. Biocore Research Symposium, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC, 2015.
Thomas GE, Klenotich S, Huang E, Dulawa SJ. Optimizing Activity-Based Anorexia for Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated Under Designers Drugs (DREADDs). Chicago Research Symposium. Chicago, IL, 2014
Thomas GE, Klenotich S, Dulawa SJ. Optimizing Activity-Based Anorexia in C57Bl6/J Mice. Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS), Stratford, CT, 2014
Thomas GE, Krupke DM, Bello Sue SM, Eppig JT. Finding Potential New Candidate Genes for the Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia Using Mouse Phenomics and Bioinformatics. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Nashville, TN, 2013.
Thomas GE, Krupke DM, Bello Sue SM, Eppig JT. Finding Potential New Candidate Genes for the Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia Using Mouse Phenomics and Bioinformatics. Basic Science Day, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 2013.
Teaching and mentoring
Instructor, Duke University FA2019
HOUSECS 59-15: Becoming Science
Instructor: David Malone, Ph.D
Provide a foundational overview of how to engage in biomedical research to first- and second-year undergraduate students. Encourage students to think critically about Duke campus culture. Instruct insightful discussions with their peers on diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Coach, Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology (BOOST), Duke University 2018 -
Director: Doug Coleman
Work with underrepresented minority and underserved middle school students from Durham county public schools. Create a yearlong scientific research project to present at a science symposium. Perform science experiments to demonstrate various concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Duke University SP2018
Neurobio 762: Neurobiology of Disease
Instructor: James McNamara
Met with instructors to create a course schedule Facilitated discussion about neurological diseases and psychiatric illnesses. Curated peer reviewed scientific articles and case studies as materials for course.
Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2014- 2015
Biol 142: Foundations of Biology II
Instructors: Jeffrey Lieps, Ph.D, Kevin Omland, Ph. D
Modified course schedule by using previous semester feedback. Hosted weekly office hours, Directed review sessions. Created and graded assignments/assessments. Proctor all exams and finals
Chemistry Learning Assistant, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2013- 2015
Chem 101, Chem 102, Chem 351, Chem 352: General Chemisty I/II, Organic Chemistry I/II
Instructors: Tara Carpenter, Ph.D, Tiffany Gierasch Ph,D
Worked with students individually or in groups to solve practice problems. Created weekly learning objectives for students. Reviewed practice problem sets. Directed review sessions for the American chemistry society final exam.
Mentor, Tutor 2013- 2016
Living Learning Classrooms (K- 8th grade), Baltimore, MD
Engaged with Baltimore city youth in a safe, intellectually stimulating environment. Demonstrated various chemistry and biology techniques on science day. Prepared healthy snacks for the children in the community center. Supervised computer access and assisted with homework completion.
HOUSECS 59-15: Becoming Science
Instructor: David Malone, Ph.D
Provide a foundational overview of how to engage in biomedical research to first- and second-year undergraduate students. Encourage students to think critically about Duke campus culture. Instruct insightful discussions with their peers on diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Coach, Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology (BOOST), Duke University 2018 -
Director: Doug Coleman
Work with underrepresented minority and underserved middle school students from Durham county public schools. Create a yearlong scientific research project to present at a science symposium. Perform science experiments to demonstrate various concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Duke University SP2018
Neurobio 762: Neurobiology of Disease
Instructor: James McNamara
Met with instructors to create a course schedule Facilitated discussion about neurological diseases and psychiatric illnesses. Curated peer reviewed scientific articles and case studies as materials for course.
Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2014- 2015
Biol 142: Foundations of Biology II
Instructors: Jeffrey Lieps, Ph.D, Kevin Omland, Ph. D
Modified course schedule by using previous semester feedback. Hosted weekly office hours, Directed review sessions. Created and graded assignments/assessments. Proctor all exams and finals
Chemistry Learning Assistant, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 2013- 2015
Chem 101, Chem 102, Chem 351, Chem 352: General Chemisty I/II, Organic Chemistry I/II
Instructors: Tara Carpenter, Ph.D, Tiffany Gierasch Ph,D
Worked with students individually or in groups to solve practice problems. Created weekly learning objectives for students. Reviewed practice problem sets. Directed review sessions for the American chemistry society final exam.
Mentor, Tutor 2013- 2016
Living Learning Classrooms (K- 8th grade), Baltimore, MD
Engaged with Baltimore city youth in a safe, intellectually stimulating environment. Demonstrated various chemistry and biology techniques on science day. Prepared healthy snacks for the children in the community center. Supervised computer access and assisted with homework completion.
pROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Graduate Student Panelist, SPIRE Scholar Graduate School Panel, Duke University 2020
Graduate Student Panelist, Graduate Connections Panel, Duke University 2020
Discovering Career Options in Translational Science (DICOTS) Network, Duke University 2019
Graduate School Mentorship Co-Coordinator, Científico Latino 2019 -
School of Medicine Dean's Student Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, Duke University 2019
Speaker, The Graduate School Orientation, Duke University 2019
Panelist, Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), Duke University 2019
Panelist, Sloan Scholar Orientation, Duke University 2018
Faculty Hiring Committee: Office of Biomedical Graduate Education (OBGE), Duke University 2018
Mock Interviewer, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2018
Student Representative, Neurobiology Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Duke University 2017 -
Graduate Student Panelist, Graduate Connections Panel, Duke University 2020
Discovering Career Options in Translational Science (DICOTS) Network, Duke University 2019
Graduate School Mentorship Co-Coordinator, Científico Latino 2019 -
School of Medicine Dean's Student Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, Duke University 2019
Speaker, The Graduate School Orientation, Duke University 2019
Panelist, Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), Duke University 2019
Panelist, Sloan Scholar Orientation, Duke University 2018
Faculty Hiring Committee: Office of Biomedical Graduate Education (OBGE), Duke University 2018
Mock Interviewer, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2018
Student Representative, Neurobiology Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Duke University 2017 -
bROADER impacts
Black History Month Scientific Exhibitor, Museum of Life and Science, Durham, NC 2020
Science Instructor, Balance Through Movement Yoga Studio, Chapel Hill, NC 2020
Graduate Student Panelist, Duke Days, Duke University 2019
Panelist, Sloan Scholar Orientation, Duke University 2019
Volunteer, Talent Identification Program (TIP), Duke University 2019
Speaker, Duke Academy: Global Researcher Program, Duke University 2019
Nonprofit Volunteer, Science Policy Action Network (SPAN), Chapel Hill, NC 2018
Volunteer, Talent Identification Program (TIP), Duke University 2018
Judge, BOOST Science Symposium, Duke University 2018
Student Leader, DukeMED Elementary, Duke University 2018
Exhibitor, Hillside Hill School Science Fair, Durham, NC 2018
Graduate School Panelist, Women of Color in Graduate School, 2017
Lambda Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., Duke University
Activity Leader, Brain Awareness Week, Duke University 2017
Activity Leader, Brain Awareness Week, UMBC 2016
Volunteer, Club Nova: Psychiatric Outpatient Facility, Chapel Hill, NC 2015
Student Leader, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), UMBC 2014- 2016
Student Leader, First Lego League, Baltimore, Maryland 2013- 2015
Science Instructor, Balance Through Movement Yoga Studio, Chapel Hill, NC 2020
Graduate Student Panelist, Duke Days, Duke University 2019
Panelist, Sloan Scholar Orientation, Duke University 2019
Volunteer, Talent Identification Program (TIP), Duke University 2019
Speaker, Duke Academy: Global Researcher Program, Duke University 2019
Nonprofit Volunteer, Science Policy Action Network (SPAN), Chapel Hill, NC 2018
Volunteer, Talent Identification Program (TIP), Duke University 2018
Judge, BOOST Science Symposium, Duke University 2018
Student Leader, DukeMED Elementary, Duke University 2018
Exhibitor, Hillside Hill School Science Fair, Durham, NC 2018
Graduate School Panelist, Women of Color in Graduate School, 2017
Lambda Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., Duke University
Activity Leader, Brain Awareness Week, Duke University 2017
Activity Leader, Brain Awareness Week, UMBC 2016
Volunteer, Club Nova: Psychiatric Outpatient Facility, Chapel Hill, NC 2015
Student Leader, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), UMBC 2014- 2016
Student Leader, First Lego League, Baltimore, Maryland 2013- 2015
Scientific associations and committees
President, Bouchet Society, Duke University 2019 -
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2019 -
Writer, Science Policy Writer’s Studio, Duke University 2019 -
Graduate Student Member, Society for Black Brain Scientists (SB3s) 2018 -
Recruitment Chair, Bouchet Society, Duke University 2017 - 2019
Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Durham, NC 2017 -
Graduate Student Member, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Techniques (ASPET) 2017 -
Graduate Student Member, Society for Neuroscience (SFN) 2016 -
Student Member, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2015 -
Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) , Baltimore, MD 2014 - 2016
Undergraduate Student Member, American Chemical Society (ACS) 2012 - 2016
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2019 -
Writer, Science Policy Writer’s Studio, Duke University 2019 -
Graduate Student Member, Society for Black Brain Scientists (SB3s) 2018 -
Recruitment Chair, Bouchet Society, Duke University 2017 - 2019
Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Durham, NC 2017 -
Graduate Student Member, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Techniques (ASPET) 2017 -
Graduate Student Member, Society for Neuroscience (SFN) 2016 -
Student Member, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2015 -
Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) , Baltimore, MD 2014 - 2016
Undergraduate Student Member, American Chemical Society (ACS) 2012 - 2016
Trainees Supervised
Kirill Chesnov, Rotating Graduate Student, Duke University 2020
Isabella Fallon^, Rotating Graduate Student, Duke University 2020
Zachary Rene*, Undergraduate Researcher, Duke University 2019
Frances Grace Ghinger^, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Student, Duke University 2019
Ashleigh Rawls^*, Rotating Graduate Student, Duke University 2018
Rachel Fisher^*, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Student, Duke University 2018
Alexandra Fink^, Undergraduate Honors Thesis, Duke University 2017 -
Anna Matthews^, Undergraduate Researcher, Duke University 2017 - 2019
Travis Smith*, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Student, Duke University 2017
Ryan Bowman, Undergraduate Researcher, Duke University 2016
^Female Trainee *Under Represented Minority (URM) Trainee
Isabella Fallon^, Rotating Graduate Student, Duke University 2020
Zachary Rene*, Undergraduate Researcher, Duke University 2019
Frances Grace Ghinger^, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Student, Duke University 2019
Ashleigh Rawls^*, Rotating Graduate Student, Duke University 2018
Rachel Fisher^*, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Student, Duke University 2018
Alexandra Fink^, Undergraduate Honors Thesis, Duke University 2017 -
Anna Matthews^, Undergraduate Researcher, Duke University 2017 - 2019
Travis Smith*, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Student, Duke University 2017
Ryan Bowman, Undergraduate Researcher, Duke University 2016
^Female Trainee *Under Represented Minority (URM) Trainee