Hommel Laboratory » Laboratories

James M. Kasper graduated in 2008 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and received his Ph.D. in 2012 from University of Florida, where he received specialized training in neurotransmitter quantification and behavioral pharmacology under the supervision of Dr. Joanna Peris. Dr. Kasper is currently researching neuropeptide regulators of cocaine use disorder as a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Addiction Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch under the direction of Dr. Jonathan D. Hommel, funded through NIDA T32 Training Program (T32 DA007287).

• B.S., 2006, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Ph.D., 2012, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida

• 2014, The Elizabeth Fitzgerald Sporar Endowment of Distinguished Initiatives in Addiction Research: Career Development Award for Outstanding Scientific Progress,
• 2015, Neurotherapeutics Discovery Development Course for Academic Scientists, American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics, NINDS R25NS077582: Bethesda, Maryland,

Publications
Kasper, J.M., Tikamdas, R., Kim, M.S., MacFayden, K., Aramini, R., Ladd, J., Bisceglia, S., Vincek, A.S., Booth, R.G., & Peris, J. The Serotonin-2 Receptor Modulator, (-)-trans-PAT, Decreases Ethanol Consumption and Prevents The Alcohol Deprivation Effect in Rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2013; 718(1-3):98-104. PMC3833445

Kasper, J.M., Johnson, S.B., & Hommel, J.D. Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats. J. Vis. Exp. 2014; (88):e51575. PMCID in process

Kasper, J.M., Booth, R.G., & Peris, J. Serotonin-2C receptor agonists decrease potassium-stimulated GABA release in the nucleus accumbens. Synapse. 2014; Epub Nov 10. PMCID in process

Education
B.S.West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

Kehinde received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Prairie View A & M University, graduating cum laude. Thereafter, she went on to completing her Master of Science degree in Physiology from the University of Michigan. Kehinde became a part of the Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine program at UTMB in 2018 and began conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Hommel. Kehinde’s research focuses on the investigation of upstream regulatory circuits and their involvement on major reward neural pathways using novel viral tracing techniques. She also serves as an officer of both the UTMB Women’s Association of Minority Scientists and Society for Translational Research, highlighting her investment in increasing diversity in science, science communication, and a long-term career in translational research.

Education

B.S. Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX

M.S. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI