Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory | UCI CNLM

Shahrdad Lotfipour, Ph.D.
2025-02-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Herklotz Conference Center and Virtually via Zoom, 300 Qureshey Research Lab, Irvine, CA, 92697-3800, United States
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) for a hybrid event featuring Dr. Shahrdad Lotfipour, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California, Irvine.
Molecular neurobiology of adolescent nicotine use
Adolescence is a critical period for brain development, particularly in systems underlying reward and addiction. My lab’s research focuses on understanding how genetic and environmental factors interact to influence adolescent nicotine use, co-morbid substance abuse, and relapse. Using innovative CRISPR-Cas9-generated rodent models mimicking human genetic variants, we investigate the molecular, neurochemical, and behavioral mechanisms driving nicotine’s effects on reward and relapse. This talk will highlight key findings on the sex- and genotype-dependent influences of the CHRNA6 3′-UTR SNP on dopamine and norepinephrine systems, behavioral outcomes in nicotine and methamphetamine co-use, and nicotine-seeking behavior. These insights provide a framework for exploring targeted therapeutic strategies for adolescent substance use.
This event will be held in-person in the Herklotz Conference Center and virtually via Zoom.

Momoko Watanabe, Ph.D.
2025-03-25 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) for a hybrid event featuring Dr. Momoko Watanabe, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine.
This event will be held in-person in the Herklotz Conference Center and virtually via Zoom.
Self-organization of polarized cortical organoids upon the formation of anterior and posterior organizers for disease modeling

Cortical organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have emerged as an accessible and invaluable tool to study human neurodevelopment and disease. Cortical organoids consistently self-organize into the laminar architecture of the human cortex dorsoventrally. However, they currently still lack a controlled induction in the anteroposterior axis. Here, we demonstrate the polarization of cortical organoids. Many neurodevelopmental disorders have specific dysregulation in different regions within the cortex. Thus, the demonstration of the anteroposterior polarization would serve as a powerful platform to study various neurological disorders that have differential effects on cortical regions.

Lulu Y. Chen, Ph.D.
2025-04-08 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) for a hybrid event featuring Dr. Lulu Y. Chen, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine.
This event will be held in-person in the Herklotz Conference Center and virtually via Zoom.

Katharine Simon, Ph.D.
2025-04-22 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) for a hybrid event featuring Dr. Katharine Simon, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine.
This event will be held in-person in the Herklotz Conference Center and virtually via Zoom.

Lauren N. Ross, Ph.D., M.D.
2025-04-29 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) for a hybrid event featuring Dr. Lauren N. Ross, Associate Professor and Logic and Philosophy of Science
at the University of California, Irvine.
This event will be held in-person in the Herklotz Conference Center and virtually via Zoom.

David Reinkensmeyer, Ph.D.
2025-05-20 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) for a hybrid event featuring Dr. David Reinkensmeyer, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Irvine.
This event will be held in-person in the Herklotz Conference Center and virtually via Zoom.
