Education Portfolio

We examine the contributions of individual genes to the genetic determination of complex behavioral traits. Because brain serotonin pathways regulate many mammalian physiological and behavioral phenomena, our primary focus is on gene products that contribute to this signaling system. To shed light on the mechanisms through which serotonin regulates neurobehavioral processes such as anxiety/fear responses, ingestive behavior and reward, we use molecular genetic procedures to generate lines of mice with null mutations (constitutive, region-specific and inducible) of serotonin receptor genes. Detailed behavioral analyses of the impact of these mutations are pursued, revealing abnormalities that provide a focus for multidisciplinary studies of the neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of complex behaviors. In view of the widespread use of serotonergic drugs such as Prozac for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety and depression, we have an interest in examining the serotonergic...

The "SAD" (Sex, Alcohol, Drugs) piece demonstrates the intense imagery of destructive behavior led by these three life altering subjects. Sex, Alcohol and drugs can be used for many reasons for some are still clueless as to what that is, however in some fashion this trio will in someway have intent to escape the everyday rat race, Sex, Alcohol and drugs help you escape from reality for a momentary point in time that leads you to the ultimate consequences. When you return from your high, buzz, or bliss you're going to hit the ground pretty hard. This can lead to the eye opening affects that this trio can impact your body and life. However, these three can be the ever-lasting and be a devastating loop that will be a life long struggle to escape. People's desire to improve their interaction with peers and adults often leads them to experiment with sex, alcohol, and drugs (SAD). For many the reality about the SAD scene is a personal threat and they tend to impose thes...

Using a light-box is inspired by the media advertising to depict the separation of beauty and the beauty myth of women in today's generation. The huge interest generated from this work has encouraged me to continue exploring this medium and create further pieces. A truly captivating and striking piece with the use of negative and positive light with hopes to stand out from the rest of pieces. The photographic image has always interested me in terms of how the perspectives of an image changes how one can view the same object in different ways. The definition of an image never stays the same. Negative space is as important in my design as the visual elements. One of the reasons why I feel in love with photography is the way light and shade creates the forms, and also because it all happens very quickly. The play of depth of field, in and out of focus, creates other issues that are challenging. Each work is a combination of the relationship of at least two images with textures...