Jennifer J Tuscher

Jennifer J Tuscher, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Her research focuses on the neurobiological basis of memory persistence and the role of sex-steroid hormones in shaping this process. She employs transcriptomics, chromatin dynamics, neuropharmacology, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral assays to investigate neuroplasticity mechanisms linked to both adaptive and maladaptive memories, particularly in the context of substance use disorders (SUDs).

Education:

• BS in Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011)
• MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2017)
• Postdoctoral Training in Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2017–2023)

Research Interests: Dr. Tuscher’s work integrates molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches to study how estradiol signaling drives spinogenesis and memory formation in brain regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Her lab also explores glial contributions to SUDs and uses CRISPR-based tools for gene editing. She aims to identify therapeutic interventions for memory-related disorders and addiction.

Labs/Teams: The Tuscher Lab at MCW focuses on translational neuroscience, bridging basic research with clinical applications related to memory and SUDs. Visit their website for more details.