WEBINAR—Leveraging Novel Animal Models for Translational Research

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In this webinar, Lara do Amaral-Silva, PhD, will present her research on understanding physiological mechanisms that allow animals in nature to overcome stressors that otherwise cause major metabolic challenges to the brain. Amaral-Silva will highlight how the study of diverse and unique species has informed groundbreaking biomedical and neuroscience advancements. She will discuss the neuroprotective mechanisms birds have evolved to overcome hypoxia. Diana Sarko, PhD, will present advantages, experimental design considerations and advantages of using naked mole-rats as a research model for longevity, cancer resistance and sensory specializations.

Speakers

Lara do Amaral-Silva, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, Wake Forest University

Lara do Amaral-Silva, PhD, is an assistant professor of neurobiology at Wake Forest University. She investigates neuroprotective mechanisms that birds evolved against hypoxia and insulin resistance and mentors the next generation of scientists. The Amaral-Silva lab explores physiological mechanisms that allow animals to withstand stressors that would otherwise lead to major health issues in humans, particularly metabolic challenges to the brain. Amaral-Silva earned master’s and PhD degrees in animal physiology from São Paulo State University in Brazil. Her postdoctoral specialization was in neurophysiology at the University of Missouri. Amaral Silva is an active member of the APS Comparative & Evolutionary Physiology Section and has been a champion of scientific diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including the BRAINS fellow and a FASEB LEAD mentor.

Diana Sarko
Associate Professor, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Diana Sarko, PhD, is an associate professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Her research interests include somatosensory and audiovisual processing. Sarko uses histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, electrophysiology, and behavioral analyses to assess sensory specializations and deficits and perceptual/behavioral outcomes. In addition, she studies multisensory integration deficits in people with autism spectrum disorder.