Leora Yetnikoff

Leora Yetnikoff is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York (CUNY). Her research focuses on the interplay between neural and glial systems, particularly how the midbrain dopamine system interacts with oligodendrocyte lineage cells to regulate myelination in response to experiential events across the lifespan, including adolescence. This work has significant implications for understanding schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis.

Education:

• PhD in Neuroscience, McGill University
• MSc in Psychiatry, McGill University
• BA in Psychology (Honors), Concordia University

Research Interests:

Dr. Yetnikoff's research investigates the neural and glial mechanisms underlying brain function and plasticity. Her lab specializes in dopaminergic circuitry, synaptic connectivity in the striatum and midbrain, and the role of guidance molecules like netrin-1 in behavioral sensitization and neurodevelopment. She employs rodent models to study how early-life pharmacological exposures influence adult behavioral phenotypes and how myelination is modulated by neural activity.

Publication Trends:

Her scholarly output, spanning from 2005 to 2021, demonstrates a consistent focus on the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, and striatal circuitry. Her work integrates neuroanatomical mapping, behavioral pharmacology, and molecular neuroscience to explore dopamine-glutamate cotransmission, adolescent brain maturation, and the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders. A recurring theme is the role of the netrin-1/DCC signaling pathway in dopaminergic function and addiction-related behaviors.

Scientific Awards:

Advising and Grants:

While specific details about her advisees and grant funding are not provided in the text, her active research program, sustained publication record, and leadership of the Yetnikoff Lab suggest ongoing mentorship of students and successful acquisition of research support. Her work bridges molecular neuroscience with systems-level and behavioral analyses.

Labs and Teams:

Dr. Yetnikoff leads the Yetnikoff Lab, which operates at the intersection of neuroscience and psychiatry. The lab utilizes rat and mouse models to investigate dopaminergic pathways, with a particular emphasis on synaptic connectivity, behavioral outcomes, and developmental transitions. The lab website (http://yetnikoff.neuro.nyc) serves as a hub for her research activities.