Derek Daniels, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Dr. Daniels is a Research Professor in Biological Sciences and was the founding director of the Center for Ingestive Behavior Research. He is also affiliated with the interdisciplinary program in Neuroscience and the departments of Psychology and Pharmacology & Toxicology. He recently moved to Clemson University, where he is a Professor of Neuroscience and the Associate Dean for Research at the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine.
He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania under the mentorship of Drs. Loretta Flanagan-Cato and Richard Miselis, and did his postdoctoral training with Steven Fluharty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Current Laboratory Members:
Melanie Barry, Gradate Student (MA, Biological Sciences)
Sydney David, Graduate Student (PhD, Behavioral Neuroscience)
Mehrab Mostariq, Graduate Student (MA, Biological Sciences)
MacKenzie Pearson, Research Specialist
Lab alumni:
Postdoc
Jessica Santollo, Ph.D. (current position: Associate Professor, Biology, University of Kentucky)
Bo Sortman, Ph.D. (current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Southern California)
Doctoral students
Destiny Brakey, Ph.D. (current position: Visiting Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, College of Wooster)
K.Linnea Volcko, Ph.D. (current position: postdoctoral researcher, Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø)
Kimberly Caldwell (Plyler), Ph.D. (current position: Medical Communications, Cello Health)
Naomi McKay, Ph.D. (current position: Associate Professor of Psychology, Buffalo State College)
Peter Vento, Ph.D. (current position: Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of South Carolina)
Elizabeth G. Mietlicki-Baase, Ph.D. (current position: Associate Professor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University at Buffalo)
Visiting Doctoral Students
Silvia Gasparini (Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil)
Aline Zenatti (Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil)
Masters students
Jessica Tabman (recent position: Quality Assurance Associate at ICON plc)
Quinn Carroll (recent position: Community Prevention Educator, Erie County Crisis Services)
Philip Whalen (recent position: Project Coordinator, Roswell Park Cancer Institute)
Gaayathri Varavenkataraman (next stop: Medical Student)
Joseph Schmitt (Medical Student, University at Buffalo)
Dikshita Ramesh (recent position: Research Associate, University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Internal Medicine)
Johanna Sirkin (next stop: Medical school)
Neha Chadalavada, Graduate student (MA, Biological Sciences)
Olivia Wasnock (Dental Student, Touro College of Dental Medicine)
