Research

–Current Projects–

Cerebellar function

Cerebellar disruption occurring in early-life permanently disrupts later cognitive behavior. The lab aims to identify the sensitive developmental period that cerebellar activity is required by manipulating neural circuits in early postnatal life and studying resulting changes to behavior across the lifespan. These experiments will combine behavior, neural structure analysis (local and distal), and molecular markers of critical periods, such as perineuronal net structure.

Natural behavior

Using machine learning the lab quantitatively analyses behavior and develops assays to understand how animals learn social dynamics, hierarchy, and dominance. These techniques are applied to a wide variety of questions in the lab studying neural circuits in adolescent and aging animals.

Genes and development

Genes contribute to a vast majority of neural developmental disorders, yet it is unknown how abnormal cell activity influences distal cell molecular profiles. Adolescence is a sensitive period whereby mental health disorders arise and individuals are more susceptible to addiction. In the lab, we combine viral tracing, mapping of whole-brain neural activation, and molecular RNA techniques to understand genetic influences on behavior.

Sensory circuits

Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders have comorbidities including high stress reactivity, abnormal sleep patterns, and metabolic disruptions. The lab analyzes neuromodulators to study the connection between the cerebellum, reward circuits, and stress pathways to determine influence on downstream signaling pathways.

Created with BioRender.com and Neuroglancer

This work is funded by:

♦ Institute of Social Science Research
♦ Institute for Mental Health Research
♦ National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) P30AG019610: Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center REC Fellows Program and Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium
♦ Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the state of Arizona (ADHS Grant No. CTR057001)
♦ Nancy Eisenberg Junior Faculty scholar Award

    • The SOCIAL (Study of Circuits in Adolescent life) Neurobiology Lab, led by Assistant Professor Jessica Verpeut, conducts research. Pictured is Dr. Jessica Verpeut (blazer) and undergraduate student Lori Abbas. Lori is studying microbiology and is a member of Barrett, the Honors College. Also featured are doctoral students Oliva Law (glasses) and Alexandria Melick, who are both pursuing a PhD in psychology with a specialization in behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology. Model release on file with the Department of Psychology. Photo captured in the Psychology Builiding (3rd floor) on the Tempe campus by photographer Laura Fields on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
    • The SOCIAL (Study of Circuits in Adolescent life) Neurobiology Lab, led by Assistant Professor Jessica Verpeut, conducts research. Pictured is undergraduate neuroscience and philopohy major David Lukacik and undergraduate microbiology student Lori Abbas. Lori and David are both members of Barrett, the Honors College. Also featured are doctoral students Oliva Law (glasses) and Alexandria Melick, who are both pursuing a PhD in psychology with a specialization in behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology. Model release on file with the Department of Psychology. Photo captured in the Psychology Builiding (3rd floor) on the Tempe campus by photographer Laura Fields on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
    • The SOCIAL (Study of Circuits in Adolescent life) Neurobiology Lab, led by Assistant Professor Jessica Verpeut, conducts research. Pictured are undergraduate biochemistry and psychology (BS) major Vincent Truong, undergraduate neuroscience major Nazareth Salgado, and undergraduate student Henrique Vieira, who is double majoring in neuroscience and psychology (BS). Henrique is an international student from Brazil. Henrique and Vincent are both members of Barrett, the Honors College. Model release on file with the Department of Psychology. Photo captured in the Psychology Builiding (3rd floor) on the Tempe campus by photographer Laura Fields on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
    • The SOCIAL (Study of Circuits in Adolescent life) Neurobiology Lab, led by Assistant Professor Jessica Verpeut, conducts research. Pictured are undergraduate neuroscience major Nazareth Salgado, and undergraduate student Henrique Vieira, who is double majoring in neuroscience and psychology (BS). Henrique a member of Barrett, The Honors College and an international student from Brazil. Model release on file with the Department of Psychology. Photo captured in the Psychology Builiding (3rd floor) on the Tempe campus by photographer Laura Fields on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
    • The SOCIAL (Study of Circuits in Adolescent life) Neurobiology Lab, led by Assistant Professor Jessica Verpeut, conducts research. Pictured is doctoral student Tristain Lyle. Tristain is pursuing a PhD in psychology with a specializing in behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology. Model release on file with the Department of Psychology. Photo captured in the Psychology Builiding (3rd floor) on the Tempe campus by photographer Laura Fields on Thursday, April 18, 2024.