Leah Phan

I joined the Khoshbouei lab in 2017. Under the mentorship of Dr. Habibeh Khoshbouei, I have had the opportunity to explore several different avenues of research including: alterations between neuron- immune with natural aging and the implications of aSyn overexpression on dopamine networks and function. Currently, I am invested in examing both dopamine dysfunction in both a hyper- and hypo-dopaminergic state through examing diorder’s such as Parkinson’s and Methamphetamine Use Disorder.

Parkinson’s: The gold-standard for identifying Parkinson’s is through degeneration of dopamine neurons in the Substantia Nigra post-mortem leading to motor dysfunction; however non-motor symtpoms occur decades before motor dyfunction. Leah aims to understand understand how the biological implications of how alterations central dopamine levels affect peripheral immunity.

Addiction: Dopamine neurons play a vital role in various functions, with one of their primary roles being the release of dopamine in response to rewarding or pleasurable stimuli. Methamphetamine, a highly potent drug, primarily targets these dopamine neurons, contributing to its strong addictive potential. Leah’s research aims to provide valuable insights into the neurobiological and neurobehavioral sex differences in methamphetamine abuse and examine more effective, sex-specific treatment strategies in Methamphetamine Use Disorder.
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