Under a Novo Nordisk drug discovery partnership (~30% time effort), I identified therapeutic targets for diabetes and obesity by utilizing non-human primate genomic and proteomic data, alongside patent, clinical trial, and safety reports. Validated targets with pharmacology, histology, and behavior techniques. Piloted related electrophysiology experiments using cultured whole- and dissociated- pancreatic islets.

Brandon L. Roberts. (2016) Target validation and outcomes. Novo Nordisk Executive Steering Committee. Marriot Hotel, Portland, OR. *Nature of this presentation is confidential due to a non-disclosure agreement.

Implemented patch-clamp electrophysiology, surgical, cell culture, and behavioral techniques to investigate the role of glucose and serotonin in feeding circuitry, identifying a mechanism by which serotonin and glucose control glutamate release from vagal afferents onto hindbrain catecholamine neurons.

Integral in maintaining a new metabolic system and provided input to the company that resulted in critical cage design modifications. Aided in moving lab to a new building and gave input on the building design that corrected a major flaw and was incorporated into the final build.

Implemented metabolic testing, behavioral paradigms, DEXA scanning, stereotaxic surgery, immunohistochemistry, and PCR to study the role of leptin sensitive neurons in endogenous feeding rhythms, which led to a collaborative publication and new grant aims.

Publications

Brandon L. Roberts and Suzanne M. Appleyard. (2013) Low glucose decreases action potential firing of catecholamine neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract indirectly by reducing glutamate input. Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, CA.

Zhao H., Roberts B.L.*, Appleyard S.M. (2013) Catecholamine and non-catecholamine neurons have different mechanisms to facilitate synaptic transmission in the nucleus of the solitary tract in mice. Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, CA. (*Presenter; Original author not able to attend)

Brandon L. Roberts, Ran Ji Cui, Huan Zhao, Mingyan Zhu, and Suzanne M. Appleyard. (2011) 5-HT3 agonists activate catecholamine neurons in the solitary tract nucleus of the brainstem. Society for Neuroscience in Washington DC.

Brandon L. Roberts, X.J. Li, R.J. Cui, S.M. Appleyard. (2010) Glucose sensitivity in the nucleus of the solitary tract. CVM research symposium. Pullman, WA.

Brandon L. Roberts, Ai Jun Li, Thu Dinh, Sue Ritter. (2009) Neuropeptide Y Receptor-Expressing Neurons Play a Critical Role in Feeding Behavior and Metabolic Function; CVM Research Symposium, Pullman, WA.

Teaching

Co-instructor Fall 2013 – Spring 2014 Affective Neuroscience 409/509; Washington State University Dr. Jaak Panksepp

• Worked under the guidance and mentorship of the late Dr. Panksepp, a pioneer in Affective Neuroscience. Constructed lectures, exams, and assignments to teach undergraduate and graduate students about the origins and mechanisms of human and animal emotional systems.

Teaching Assistant Fall 2013 Principles of Neurophysiology 430; Washington State University Dr. James Peters

• Prepared and directed laboratory activities, assignments, and exams focused on the exploration of principles underlying cellular, sensory, motor, and integrative functions of the nervous system.

Teaching Assistant Spring 2011 – Spring 2012 Neuroanatomy 404; Washington State University Dr. Heiko Jansen

• Reinforced classroom lectures by directing laboratory exercises involving central and peripheral nervous system dissections, discussions, quizzes, and exams focused on the fundamental principles of the organization and circuitry of the nervous system.

Senior Resident Advisor and Counselor Summer 2006 – 2008 Summer Advantage; Washington State University Kimberly Mueller

• Facilitated student relationships and support networks by living with, mentoring, tutoring, and counseling 30-65 co-ed students 24/7, while managing two other resident advisors. Expanded the program by effectively leading, budgeting, planning, and marketing the program.

Presentations

Brandon L. Roberts and Suzanne M. Appleyard. (2013) Low glucose decreases action potential firing of catecholamine neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract indirectly by reducing glutamate input. Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, CA.

Zhao H., Roberts B.L.*, Appleyard S.M. (2013) Catecholamine and non-catecholamine neurons have different mechanisms to facilitate synaptic transmission in the nucleus of the solitary tract in mice. Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, CA. (*Presenter; Original author not able to attend)

Brandon L. Roberts, Ran Ji Cui, Huan Zhao, Mingyan Zhu, and Suzanne M. Appleyard. (2011) 5-HT3 agonists activate catecholamine neurons in the solitary tract nucleus of the brainstem. Society for Neuroscience in Washington DC.

Brandon L. Roberts, X.J. Li, R.J. Cui, S.M. Appleyard. (2010) Glucose sensitivity in the nucleus of the solitary tract. CVM research symposium. Pullman, WA.

Brandon L. Roberts, Ai Jun Li, Thu Dinh, Sue Ritter. (2009) Neuropeptide Y Receptor-Expressing Neurons Play a Critical Role in Feeding Behavior and Metabolic Function; CVM Research Symposium, Pullman, WA.

Awards & Fellowships

Poncin Research Fellowship (Two-year stipend; 2013-2015)
Obesity alters serotonin signaling on hindbrain catecholamine neurons

SSIB Graduate student New Investigator Travel Award (2014)

Pfizer Student Research Poster Presentation Award (2011)

Degrees Earned

Ph.D., Neuroscience (2015)

B.S., Neuroscience (2009)