Scientists: Diane K. O'Dowd, Ph.D.

Research Focus

Working to understand: neuronal plasticity underlying learning and memory, cellular mechanisms contributing to generation of febrile seizures (GEFS+, SMEI), and how to improve science education in research universities.

Scientific Focus: regulation of excitability and synaptic transmission in the central nervous system in flies, mice, and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived neurons from patients with inherited neurological disorders (GEFS+, SMEI), effect of different teaching strategies on learning outcomes in large introductory biology classes.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS ON PUBMED

Selected Publications

Stover, A., D. Brick, H. Nethercott, M. Banuelos, L. Sun, D. K. O’Dowd, and P. Schwartz
(2013) Process-based expansion and Neural differentation of human pluripotent stem cells for transplantation and disease-modeling. J. Neuroscience Research, in press.

Sun, L., J. Gilligan, C. Staber, R.J. Schutte, V. Nguyen, D.K. O’Dowd* and R. Reenan*
(2012) A knock-in model of human epilepsy in Drosophila reveals a novel cellular mechanism associated with heat-induced seizure. J. Neurosci. 32: 14145-14155. *co-corresponding authors

Aguilar-Roca, N.M., A. E. Williams, and D.K. O’Dowd
(2012) The impact of laptop-free zones on student performance and attitudes in large lectures. Computers & Education 59: 1300-1308.

William AE, Aguilar-Roca NM, Tsai M, Wong M, Beaupre MM, O'Dowd DK.
(2011) Assessment of learning gains associated with independent exam analysis in introductory biology. CBE Life Sci Educ. Winter;10(4):346-56. doi: 10.1187/cbe.11-03-0025.

Ren P, Zhang H, Qiu F, Liu YQ, Gu H, O'Dowd DK, Zhou QY, Hu WP.
(2011) CBE Life Sci Educ. 2011 Winter;10(4):346-56. doi: 10.1187/cbe.11-03-0025. Prokineticin 2 regulates the electrical activity of rat suprachiasmatic nuclei neurons. PLoS One. ;6(6):e20263. Epub 2011 Jun 8.

Anderson WA, Banerjee U, Drennan CL, Elgin SC, Epstein IR, Handelsman J, Hatfull GF, Losick R, O'Dowd DK, Olivera BM, Strobel SA, Walker GC, Warner IM.
( 2011) Science education. Changing the culture of science education at research universities. Science. Jan 14;331(6014):152-3. No abstract available.

Moravec M, Williams A, Aguilar-Roca N, O'Dowd DK.
(2010) Learn before lecture: A strategy that improves learning outcomes in a large introductory biology class. CBE Life Sci Educ. Winter;9(4):473-81.

Gu*, H., S.A. Jiang*, J.M. Campusano*, J. Iniguez*, H. Su, A.A. Hoang, M. Lavian, X. Sun, and D.K. O’Dowd
(2009) Cav2-type calcium channels encoded by cac regulate AP-independent neurotransmitter release at cholinergic synapses in adult Drosophila brain. J. Neurophysiol. 101: 42-53. * authors contributed equally.

O’Dowd, D.K. and N. Aguilar-Roca
(2009) Garage Demos: Using physical models to illustrate dynamic aspects of microscopic processes. Cell Biology Education 8: 118-122.

Oh, H-W, J,M. Campusano, L.G.W. Hilgenberg, X. Sun, M.A. Smith, and D.K. O’Dowd
(2008) Ultrastructural analysis of chemical synapses and gap junctions between Drosophila brain neurons in culture. Dev. Neurobiology 68: 281-294.