Programs
IBMS Discipline
Mentor
Amber Asher, M.A.T.
Ph.D. Student
Biography
Amber is studying the effects of cancer treatments, specifically chemotherapy, on cognition. Using a combination of sophisticated behavioral assays, electrophysiological techniques, and high-resolution imaging, Amber plans on characterizing the changes in the brain caused by different chemotherapeutic agents in hopes of testing possible therapeutic approaches. Her ultimate goal is to find a treatment for “chemobrain” or the cognitive impairments experienced by cancer survivors after chemotherapy, and eventually establish herself as a leader in the field.
Research Topic: Effects of chemotherapy on cognition
Publications
Antebi, B., Asher, A., Rodriguez, L.A., Moore, R., Mohammadipoor, A., Cancio, L. (2019) Cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells regain functional potency following a 24-hour acclimation period. Journal of Translational Medicine accepted for publication August 14, 2019
Rodriguez, L.A., Mohammadipoor, A., Kambucheka, R., Asher, A.M.,Alvarado, L., Cancio, L. (2019) Preconditioning in acute respiratory distress-like milieu augments the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory function of mesenchymal stem cells. Cells,8 (5). Doi: 10.3390/cells8050462.
Antebi, B., Rodriguez, L.A., Walker, K., Asher, A., Kambucheka, R., Alvarado, L., Mohammadipoor, A., Cancio, L. (2018). Short-term Physiological Hypoxia Potentiates the Therapeutic Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 9 (1), 265.Doi: 10.1186/s13287-018-1007-x.
Perez, S.M., Shah, A., Asher, A., Lodge, D. (2013). Hippocampal deep brain stimulation reverses physiological and behavioral deficits in a rodent model of schizophrenia. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 16 (6), 1331-9. Doi: 10.1017/S1461145712001344
Asher, A., Lodge, D. (2012). Distinct prefrontal cortical regions negatively regulate evoked activity in nucleus accumbens subregions. International journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 15 (9), 1287-94, DOI: 10.1017/S146114571100143X
Education
M.A.T., Secondary Education; Trinity University in San Antonio, TX 2011
B.S.; Biology; University of Texas at San Antonio, 2008
Awards
Robert Noyce Teaching Fellow – National Science Foundation – 2011- 2016