معرفی
Janine Kwapis is an Associate Professor of Biology and Paul Berg Early Career Professorship holder at Pennsylvania State University's Eberly College of Science, Department of Biology. Her lab focuses on molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying long-term memory formation, storage, and updating, particularly in aging contexts. Affiliations include the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program. Research emphasizes circadian clock genes (e.g., Per1), fear memory mechanisms, and memory reconsolidation.
Educational Background:
- B.A., Psychology, Alma College
- M.S. & Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Postdoc Training: University of California, Irvine
Key Research Interests:
- Molecular basis of memory formation and aging-related impairments
- Epigenetic regulation of fear memory and extinction
- Circadian rhythms' role in memory consolidation
- Memory updating mechanisms using novel behavioral paradigms
Lab Activities: The Kwapis Lab employs behavioral techniques, molecular genetics, and epigenetic manipulations to study how memories form and degrade with age. Current projects explore Per1's role in hippocampal aging, sex-specific differences in memory circuits, and HDAC3's impact on synaptic plasticity. The lab developed the Objects in Updated Locations (OUL) task to assess memory modification in rodents.
Grant & Advising: While specific grants are not listed, her work is supported by institutional and likely NIH grants given her research scope. No current students are listed, but alumni and lab members contribute to ongoing projects.
Labs/Teams: Kwapis Lab at Penn State, collaborating with Huck Institutes and interdisciplinary neuroscience networks.
