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Faculty & Research

Robinson Lab Bios

	Dawnya Bohager Research Specialist Dawnya graduated from Arizona State University in December 1999 with a B.S in Psychology. She went on to receive a training award at the National Institute of Drug Abuse in 2000, where she performed in vivo microdialysis in rats trained to self-administer cocaine. In 2006, Dawnya received her M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Tufts University, performing thesis work examining experiential, hormonal and GABAergic influences on non-maternal aggression in female mice.
	Tatiana Shnitko PostDoc Research Associate Tatiana conducted her PhD work in monkey electrophysiology in Russian Academy of Science in Saint-Petersburg. After PhD graduation she became interested in alcohol study and spent one year in laboratory of Dr. Leonid Yavich at University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio where she was working as a visiting researcher studying amperometric detection of dopamine in rats selective breaded for ethanol preference. Since October 2010 she is a postdoctoral associate in laboratory of Dr. Donita Robinson studying role of dopamine in alcohol use disorder in freely-moving and anaesthetized rats with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry.
	Jeff Klein PostDoc Research Associate Jeff received his PhD in Neurobiology from Duke University in 2010 where his work focused on the neurophysiology of social decision making. He joined Robinson Lab in 2012.
	Rebecca Fanelli Graduate Student Rebecca graduated from Cornell University in 2007, where she received a B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior. For the next two years, she worked as a clinical research coordinator conducting pharmacogenetics studies at Massachusetts General Hospital with Dr. Jose Florez. Rebecca came to UNC in 2009 and joined the Robinson Lab where she studies alcoholism, investigating the neural circuits that may contribute to habit formation.
	Amanda Fiorenza Visiting Graduate Student Amanda graduated from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria in 2010 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She then earned her master's degree at the same institution in biological sciences- biochemistry in 2011. She is currently a doctoral student in the Program of Post-Graduation in Sciences-Biochemistry at the Universidade Federal do Paraná-UFPR. The program comprises of the Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System, and researches neuropsychopharmacology, Parkinson's Disease and Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.
	Octavio Romo-Fewell Research Technician Octavio earned his B.S. in Biochemistry from San Diego State University in 2011. He is currently a UNC PREP scholar and works with Jeff. He joined Robinson Lab in the summer of 2012.
	Vicki Burton Undergraduate Research Assistant Vicki is a junior undergraduate majoring in Economics B.A. with a Chemistry minor. She joined Robinson Lab in the summer of 2012. She is a member of the UNC Varsity Fencing team and plans to apply to Medical School.
	James Dunville Undergraduate Research Assistant James is a junior undergraduate majoring in Biology BS. He joined the lab in January 2013.
	Laura Kennerly Undergraduate Research Assistant Laura a senior undergraduate majoring in Biology B.S. She joined Robinson Lab in May of 2012. Her research interests include learning about how alcohol affects dopamine neurons and dopaminergic pathways in the brain.
	Sarah Taylor Undergraduate Research Assistant Sarah is a junior undergraduate majoring in Biology B.S. with a double minor in Chemistry and Chinese. She began working in Robinson lab in May of 2012. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school and pursuing research opportunities abroad. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer, baking, playing board games, and listening to KPOP.

Former Lab Members

	Joel Shillinglaw Research Technician Joel graduated from UNC in 2010 with a Psychology B.S. and minors in chemistry and biology. He joined the Robinson lab in February 2010. Joel will be attending a graduate program in neuropharmacology at the University of Texas at Austin. In his free time, Joel enjoys cheering for Lebron James, the Carolina Panthers, the Tar-Heels, and also loves playing the clarinet. An avid animal lover, Joel has two Beagles that live with him in Chapel Hill, Lucy & Desi, that he one day wishes to enter in a dog show.
	Christopher Maglione Undergraduate Research Assistant Christopher is a junior undergraduate double majoring in Biology B.S. and Psychology B.S. and minoring in Chemistry. He’s currently an executive officer of the Carolina Neuroscience Club and would love for you to check it out. He joined Robinson Lab in January 2013 and plans to attend a graduate program in Neuroscience.
	Sebastian Cerdena Undergraduate Research Assistant Sebastian is a junior Chemistry B.S. and Biology B.S. double major. He started working in the lab in January 2009. Sebastian plans to either attend medical school, pharmacy school or graduate school after he graduates. In his spare time, Sebastian enjoys playing his trombone, reading, memorizing random facts and watching UNC sports. His lab nickname is Sebé.
	Randall Ung Undergraduate Research Assistant Randall graduated in May 2010 with a B.S. in Mathematics and Biology from UNC Chapel Hill. He joined the lab in the summer of 2009 as an undergraduate. Following another year at the lab, Randall plans to attend Medical School. In his spare time, he enjoys eating, playing music and staying active.
	Vahid Sanii Undergraduate Research Assistant Vahid is a senior majoring in Biochemistry. He joined the Robinson lab in the summer of 2009.
	Josh Jennings Research Technician Josh graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May 2009 with a B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience. Upon graduation, Josh received Magna Cum Laude from Dr. Steve Maier’s lab for his thesis work on the behavioral, neuroanatomical, and neurophysiological aspects of stress resilience. He joined the Robinson lab in September 2009 and plans on attending graduate school to further his interests in Neuroscience. Email: jholden@unc.edu
	Kate Smith, PhD PostDoc Research Associate Kate is currently a postdoctoral fellow who joined the lab July 2009. She began her research career at East Tennessee State University, where she received a B.S. in Psychology in 2004. She continued her education at the University of Kentucky, where she received a M.S. in Experimental Psychology in 2006 and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology in 2009. Kate’s thesis work examined potential NMDA receptor mediated neurotoxic effects on organotypic hippocampal slice cultures following methamphetamine withdrawal, while her dissertation work examined how possible interactions between ethanol exposure and tubulin polymerization, may influence the development of apoptosis or necrosis in slice cultures.
	Becca Reese Undergraduate Research Assistant Becca is a senior undergraduate majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She joined the Robinson lab in May 2009. Becca plans on graduating in December '09 and then going on to study neuroscience or a related field in graduate school. Her interests include going to the beach whenever possible and cheering for the Tar Heels.
	Rachel Hay Undergraduate Research Assistant Rachel is a junior majoring in Psychology.