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Colleen Cosgrove Hegg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University, with a joint appointment in the Neuroscience Program. Her research focuses on purinergic signaling in olfactory neuroregeneration and environmental toxicant effects on the olfactory system. B.A. in Chemistry, Kalamazoo College (1990) Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin (1996) Dr. Hegg investigates how endogenous ATP functions as a neurotrophic factor following pollutant exposure in the olfactory epithelium. Her work spans cellular toxicity mechanisms in the nervous system, glial cell function, and purinergic receptor dynamics in neuroregeneration. Key areas include airborne toxicant impacts, olfactory stem cell aging, and neuroinflammatory responses. Her publications from 2000–2024 address ATP signaling, cannabinoid modulation, and mycotoxin-induced neuronal apoptosis, primarily in Neuroscience , J Neurophysiol , and Toxicol Sci . Trends highlight environmental neurotoxicology, sensory system repair, and receptor-mediated cellular responses. Current affiliations include: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, MSU Neuroscience Program, MSU

• Neurotoxicology
• Neuroregeneration
• Olfactory System Research
• +3 more

Francesca Panin is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), specializing in the Life Sciences department. A registered pharmacist with the GPhC, she holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Sassari, Italy, and has extensive international research experience including postdoctoral work at INSERM in Bordeaux, France, and clinical research at Cambridge University Hospital. Her educational background includes a postgraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from the University of Sassari, pharmacist qualification from the Italian Ministry of Health, and a Certificate of aptitude to work as Clinical Research Assistant from ISVM Bordeaux. She also completed a PGcert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education at ARU and earned Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. Dr. Panin's research interests span Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Drug Addiction, Cognitive Neuroscience, Sleep, and Electrophysiology , with specific focus on neural mechanisms underlying depression-to-mania transitions in bipolar patients, drug addiction development, new therapies for cardiac failures, polysomnography applications, and EEG-based gait activity studies. Her publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to sleep medicine, neuropharmacology, and Huntington's disease research, with recent work emphasizing hospital sleep environments and substance use disorders. Her scientific recognition includes the Fellowship of Higher Education Academy, JBI training in systematic review, and the 'Giovani Ricercatori' fellowship. She has successfully secured multiple research grants including projects on genetic polymorphisms in sleep disorders (as PI, 2022), training the ageing brain (as Co-I, 2022), and adolescent nicotine exposure (as Co-I, 2020). Dr. Panin actively supervises doctoral students including a professional doctorate candidate in Health and Social Care, Pharmacy postgraduate students, and serves as second supervisor for a PhD student researching drug addiction mechanisms. She is a member of both the Behavioural Ecology Research Group and the Biomedical Research Group at ARU, where she teaches Biomedical Science courses focusing on Physiology of Organ Systems and Pharmacology and Translational Medicine. Fluent in Italian, French, and English, she maintains an active research program bridging clinical practice and academic inquiry.

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Drug Addiction
• +5 more

Dr. Quentin Pittman is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He also holds positions as a Child Health & Wellness Researcher at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Full Member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Deputy Chair in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and Full Member of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education. Dr. Pittman's educational background includes: B.A. in Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 1972 Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology, University of Calgary, 1976 Dr. Pittman's research focuses on neuroimmune-endocrine interactions, particularly how inflammation affects brain function and behavior. His work spans four major areas: the effects of inflammation on the brain leading to behavioral co-morbidities; cellular actions of peptides, mediators and neurotransmitters; early life programming of the brain by inflammation; and febrile seizures. His laboratory employs approaches ranging from whole animal models studying physiology and behavior to cellular studies examining morphological, molecular, electrophysiological and synaptic properties. He collaborates extensively with researchers including Keith Sharkey, Mark Swain, Simon Hirota and Matt Hill to explore how chronic peripheral inflammation in animal models of colitis, arthritis and liver disease cause changes in the brain that may underlie psychiatric co-morbidity. Analysis of Dr. Pittman's recent publications (2019-2022) reveals a strong focus on the gut-brain axis, neuroinflammation, and microglial function. His work increasingly examines how the microbiome influences brain function and behavior, particularly in inflammatory conditions. There's also a significant emphasis on the endocannabinoid system's role in modulating neural circuits affected by inflammation and stress. His research bridges basic neuroscience with clinical relevance, particularly for understanding psychiatric comorbidities in inflammatory diseases and neurological conditions like epilepsy. Dr. Pittman has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2010) Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2016) Fellow of the American Physiological Society (2019) Distinguished Member of the International Regulatory Peptide Society (2021) Multiple teaching awards including Golden Apple Award (2008) and Honor Roll for Great Teaching (2014) University Professor designation at the University of Calgary (2006) Dr. Pittman has maintained continuous research program support from the MRC/CIHR and other agencies for nearly 40 years. His collaborative approach is evident in his extensive network of research partnerships across multiple institutes including the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. He has held numerous leadership positions within these organizations and has served on committees for national and international scientific societies. His laboratory has produced significant findings on how early life inflammation programs long-term brain function and vulnerability to neurological conditions. Dr. Pittman's laboratory work spans multiple facilities including the Health Sciences Centre at the University of Calgary. His research team employs diverse methodologies from whole animal behavioral studies to sophisticated cellular and molecular techniques including patch clamp electrophysiology. His work on neuroimmune interactions has positioned his laboratory at the forefront of understanding how peripheral inflammation communicates with the central nervous system to influence behavior and neural function.

• Neuroscience
• Neuroimmunology
• Inflammation
• +5 more

Professor Andrew McAinch is a prominent academic at Victoria University's College of Sport, Health & Engineering, where he serves as both Professor in Nutrition and Associate Dean Research and Research Training. With over 110 publications in top quartile journals and an h-index of 37, his research has been supported by more than 32 competitive grants totaling over $5 million. His work bridges clinical practice with academic research, leveraging his background as an Accredited Sports Dietitian and Clinical Research Dietitian. Professor in Nutrition at Victoria University (2016-present) Associate Dean Research and Research Training (2023-present) Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Exercise and Health Science journal ORCID: 0000-0002-8762-4865 Professor McAinch's research focuses on understanding how the body responds to obesity through cellular, animal, and human interventions, with particular emphasis on dietary fatty acids and endocannabinoid signaling. His laboratory investigates treatment modalities for obesity and associated comorbidities through both pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. As an Accredited Sports Dietitian, he also explores how nutrition can enhance athletic performance and recovery. His work spans from basic science examining G-protein coupled receptors in metabolic health to applied clinical research in dietary monitoring and interventions. Analysis of Professor McAinch's publication record reveals a consistent focus on metabolic health, with particular emphasis on the role of dietary fats, especially linoleic acid, in obesity and related conditions. His research spans molecular mechanisms (endocannabinoid signaling, GPR receptors) through to population-level studies (Melbourne Collaborative Cohort). Recent work shows increasing attention to maternal nutrition and developmental programming, as well as innovative interventions like neuromuscular electrical stimulation for metabolic health. Over $5 million in competitive research funding Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Exercise and Health Science h-index of 37 with 80% of publications in top quartile journals Recipient of multiple industry research partnerships Professor McAinch has an extensive supervision record, having completed the supervision of 19 PhD students, 1 Masters by Research student, and 12 honors students, while currently supervising 9 PhD candidates. His funded research portfolio includes significant projects such as the Australia-China Collaborative Training Initiative in Exercise (ACTIVE) Research Program (2024-2026), Tissue Fibrosis and Exercise in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (NHMRC-funded, 2019-2024), and multiple industry partnerships with Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group focusing on whey protein research. His supervision topics reflect his research interests, with numerous projects examining dietary interventions, exercise physiology, and metabolic health conditions. Professor McAinch leads research teams investigating obesity mechanisms, dietary interventions, and exercise physiology, with particular focus on endocannabinoid signaling and G-protein coupled receptors. His work involves both laboratory-based cellular and animal research as well as human clinical trials, often in collaboration with international partners. As Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Exercise and Health Science, he also oversees a growing international research community in this field.

• Obesity Research
• Endocannabinoid Signaling
• Dietary Fatty Acids
• +5 more