Position:
Associate Professor
Location:
D3332 - ICPH Fairfax
Phone:
(540) 542-6504
Email:
tnickola@su.edu
Employed Since:
2006
Educational History:
B.S., Biology; SUNY Fredonia, M.S., Biochemistry, SUNY Fredonia, Ph.D., Pathology, University of Buffalo
Post-doctoral fellowship Children’s National Medical Center
As a post-doctoral fellow at Children’s, my research concentrated on cytokine-mediated regulation of mucin gene expression in pediatric patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. My Ph.D. research was based on elucidating why it takes several weeks for antidepressants to lessen the clinical symptoms of depression. Specifically, I investigated cytokine (TNF, IL-6)-mediated release of neurotransmitters following administration of psychotropic compounds such as cocaine, amphetamine, antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs. My Master’s thesis focused on plant physiology, specifically PO4- uptake in the aquatic macrophyte M. spicatum which continued to be a nuisance in the waters of Lake Erie despite the ban on PO4- in detergents.
Fields of Expertise:
-Neuropharmacology
-Pathophysiology and genomics of airway disease (asthma, CF) and transplants
-STEM outreach: A diverse workforce is the key to advancing science and healthcare. Fostering an ‘I can’ attitude in underrepresented individuals interested in STEM was the goal with creating GO GIRL
Professional Highlights:
NIH, NRSA postdoctoral grant recipient
Annual Pediatric Forum Research Award
New England Biolab’s Passion in Science Award in Mentorship/Advocacy Category (https://www.neb.com/about-
Personal Quote:I’m a scientist at heart and really enjoy teaching the foundational topics that lay the groundwork for the more advanced topics covered in therapeutics courses.
Personal Highlights:
GO GIRL educational outreach co-founder and contributor. GO GIRL is funded by Loudoun County Public Schools through a grant from HHMI and offers young girls female mentorship and laboratory experience in the field of genomics.