Sandra Petersen
Professor
Research in our laboratory focuses on determining: 1) the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the brain signal for ovulation; 2) developmental mechanisms responsible for sex differences in the brain; 3) how developmental exposure to environmental contaminants like dioxins and estrogenic substances produces neural dysfunctions in adulthood.
Current Research
-
The mechanisms through which a non-classical progesterone signaling molecule, progesterone receptor
component 1, suppresses neuroimmune responses to proinflammatory cytokines in the etiology and
progression of neurodegenerative diseases. - Mechanisms through which CUG binding protein 2 directs dendritic spine development, a process important for functions ranging from learning and memory to ovulation.
- The effects of dioxin-disruption of CUG binding protein 2 during early life on the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Learn more at www.vasci.umass.edu/research-faculty/sandra-l-petersen
Academic Background
- BS Biology, Rutgers University, 1977
- MS Neuroendocrinology, Oregon State University, 1980
- PhD Neuroendocrinology, Oregon State University, 1984
- Postdoctoral training, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1984-1988
Del Pino Sans J 1 , Clements KJ 1 , Suvorov A 1 , Krishnan S 1 , Adams HL 1 , Petersen SL 2 .
Neuroscience. 2016 Aug 4;329:239-53. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.04.051. Epub 2016
May 13.
Del Pino Sans J, Krishnan S, Aggison LK, Adams HL, Shrikant MM, López-Giráldez F,
Petersen SL.Neuroscience. 2015 Sep 10;303:312-22. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.008.
Epub 2015 Jul 9. PMID:26166732
THORSON, J.F., L.D. PREZOTTO, H. ADAMS, S.L. PETERSEN, J.A. CLAPPER, E.C.
WRIGHT, W.T. OLIVER, B. A. FREKING, A.F. FOOTE, E.D. BERRY, D.J. NONNEMAN
AND C.A. LENTS (2018)
