Project Mentor

Dr. Andres Grosmark
Department of Neuroscience Department

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description

Project Description	The cognitive maps that we use to navigate the world around serve as a fundamental stage in which we organize our day-to-day memories (what happened where) and the ability to generate and use these maps is one of the first cognitive capacities to decline in a number of psychiatric diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). My lab studies the formation and long-term evolution of spatial cognitive maps in mice traversing through 3D virtual reality environments using custom made 3d headsets, while we either track the real-time activity of thousands of neurons with two-photon imaging or manipulate neural activity using optogenetic methods. This combination of modern tools allow us to get a unique view of memory that is both detailed – looking at the activity of thousands individual neurons, and broad – tracking these neurons over many days and relating their activity to behavior in both healthy and AD mice. The insights gained from these studies will help us better understand the foundations of how our memories both define and are defined by the world around us, and how these processes can go awry in psychiatric diseases such as AD.
Project Direction	The project will be aimed at testing approaches for reliably eliciting memory formation in mice during virtual-reality behavioral experiments. Participants will learn about mouse husbandry and behavior, including the virtual reality setup, as well as mouse perfusion and histology, and the basics of performing stereotaxic surgeries on mice.
Mentorship and Supervision	1) The student will be provided with the background literature and with hands on training directly from the PI, with additional supervision by experienced lab members while performing experiments, 2) The student is expected to join journal clubs and lab meetings to further understand the context and process of their project, 3) The student will have at least weekly meetings with the PI to discuss their progress and future directions. 4) The student will be expected to keep detailed notes of their work which will be discussed together with the PI, 5) Feedback will be provided at the weekly meetings and through other lab communications such as through the Teams messaging app.
Student Qualifications	Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to learn new techniques are important characteristics for the position. Students with a background in either 1) coding (i.e. Python, Matlab or C++) or 2) with experience in working with laboratory mice are strongly encouraged to apply.
Summer Schedule Options	Research Dates: May 19 to July 25, 2025 Schedule: Monday-Friday 9 am through 5 pm.
Project Continuation	Fall 2025, Spring 2026
Academic Year Time Commitment	6-9 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU25-11. The application deadline is Monday, February 17, 2025.

This application requires a resume or CV, GPA, and a brief statement of research interests. References should be available upon request.