Wayne State University
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School of Medicine TRAIN@wayne

TRAIN@wayne T32 trainees

 

2025-27 Cohort 

 
Jecenia Duran
 

Jecenia Duran

Background​

  • Ph.D. Matriculation Year: 2022 (Psychology - Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program)
  • Primary Research Advisor: Dr. Susanne Brummelte (Department of Psychology)
  • Dissertation Committee:

Research interests

Broadly, my research interests include behavioral neuroendocrinology, the neurobiological underpinnings of comorbid substance use and mental health disorders, neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences of gestational drug exposure, and maternal health/maternal care behavior. My research lab utilizes a translational model of opioid use disorder during pregnancy to investigate the impact on the maternal brain and behavior, as well as neonatal health outcomes. My current research focuses on developing a preclinical model of polysubstance exposure that investigates how concomitant exposure to buprenorphine and sertraline impacts the maternal brain network, maternal behavior, and offspring neurodevelopment.

​Awards & honors

  • Thomas C. Rumble University Graduate Fellowship – Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 2023-24

Manuscripts

*From my time at Wayne State

  1. Richardson, L. M.*, Myers, A. M.*, Duran, J.*, Patel, D. K., Tran, K. L., Walsh, E. R., Perrine, S., Bowen, S., Brummelte, S. (2025). From morphine to buprenorphine – Modeling opioid use disorder and its treatment during pregnancy: Effects on maternal care and offspring neurodevelopment in a translational rodent model. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. (in press) (*Indicates joint first author)
  2. Duran, J.*, Khalid, S.*, Richardson, L.*, Bosse, K., & Brummelte, S. (2025). Gestational Opioid Exposure: From Morphine to MOUD - How Opioids Impact Offspring Development and Maternal Care. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, 10.1007/7854_2024_570. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2024_570 (*Indicates joint first author)
  3. Myers, A. M., Wallin, C. M., Richardson, L. M., Duran, J., Neole S. R., Kulaglic, N., Davidson, C., Perrine, S., Bowen, S., Brummelte, S. (2024) The effects of buprenorphine and morphine during pregnancy: Impact of exposure length on maternal brain, behavior, and offspring neurodevelopment. Neuropharmacology, 257, 110060. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110060

 

*From my previous institution

Personal interests

  • Running – I’ve run multiple half marathons and have a goal of running my first full marathon in 2026 in Detroit.
  • Hiking and visiting National Parks – It’s my goal to visit every U.S. National Park.
  • Playing board games
  • Traveling to visit family and friends
 
Abbie Moen
 

Abbie Moen

Background

  • Ph.D. Matriculation Year: 2024 (Translational Neuroscience Program)
  • Primary Research Advisor: Dr. Mark Greenwald (Dept. of Psychiatry)
  • Dissertation Committee:

Research interests

Broadly, my research interests focus on the neurobehavioral correlates of polysubstance use, reward processing, and stress in substance use disorders. My current project examines how transcranial magnetic stimulation modulates reward processing and drug seeking in tobacco use disorder.

Awards & honors

  • 2025: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Student Award Program

Personal interests

Horse riding, fiber arts & travel

2024-26 Cohort

 
 

Itzick Nahmoud

Background​

Research interests

​My preclinical research delves into the dynamic interplay between neuroimmune regulation and pain sensitivity, with a spotlight on the kynurenine pathway—a key biomarker of inflammation. Leveraging cutting-edge Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, I aim to explore longitudinal disruptions in the KP across preclinical and clinical settings, unveiling critical neuroimmune changes triggered by traumatic brain injury. This innovative approach not only reveals translational biomarkers but also uncovers therapeutic targets to address neuroimmune dysregulation, paving the way for transformative advances in pain management and anesthesia care.

​Awards & honors

  • ​2017-19: BP-ENDURE NIH Fellowship, Hunter College
  • 2016-19: Thomas Hunter Honors Program, Biochemistry, Hunter College
  • 2016: Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Hunter College

Manuscripts

  1. Stujenske, J.M., O'Neill P.K., Nahmoud I, Goldberg S., Diaz L., Labkovich M., Hardin W., Bolkan S.S., Reardon T.R., Spellman T.J., Salzman C.D., Gordon J.A., Likhtik E. Prelimbic cortex drives discrimination of non-aversion via amygdala somatostatin interneurons. Neuron. July 20, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.03.020
  2. Nahmoud I., Vasquez J., Cho H., Yusufova L., Talbot S., Casaccia P., Liu J., Likhtik E. Safety training improves subsequent exploration and discrimination learning. Beh. Brain Res. October 12, 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112907
  3. Nahmoud I., Woodcock E., Conti A.C. The Kynurenine Pathway: A New Frontier in Understanding Pain Pathogenesis Following Traumatic Brain Injury. (in submission)
  4. Bosse K.E., Nahmoud I., Lloyd S.C., Min W., Conti A.C. Post-injury exposure to morphine leads to prolonged pain and neuroinflammatory response to traumatic brain injury. (in submission)

Personal interests

​Exploring the depths through SCUBA diving, hitting the pavement for charity runs, and transforming spaces with creative home improvement DIY projects.

 
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Lauren Richardson

Background

Research interests

My preclinical research investigates the effects of prenatal opioid exposure on maternal care and infant outcomes, including deficits in maternal behavior and neonatal health in a translational rodent model. I am particularly focused on exploring exogenous postpartum oxytocin as a potential therapeutic to mitigate these deficits.

Awards & honors

  • 2023-24: Thomas C. Rumble Fellowship
  • 2023: NIDA Diversity Scholars Travel Award, Society for Neuroscience
  • 2024: 1st Place Poster Presentation, Psychology Graduate Research Poster Day
  • 2024: Travel Award, International Society for Developmental Psychobiology ​
  • 2026: Sandra G. Wiener Student Investigator Award, International Society for Developmental Psychobiology 

Manuscripts

  1. Wallin, C. M., Bowen, S. E., Roberge, C. L., Richardson, L. M., & Brummelte, S. (2019). Gestational buprenorphine exposure: Effects on pregnancy, development, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, and behavior in a translational rodent model. Drug Alcohol Depend, 205, 107625. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107625
  2. Richardson, L.M., Myers, A. M., Wallin, C. M., Duran, J., Neole, S. R., Kulaglic, N., ... & Brummelte, S. (2024). The effects of buprenorphine and morphine during pregnancy: Impact of exposure length on maternal brain, behavior, and offspring neurodevelopment. Neuropharmacology, 257, 110060.
  3. Richardson, L.M., Duran, J., Khalid, S., Bosse, K., Brummelte, S. (2024). Gestational Opioid Exposure: From Morphine to MOUD: How Opioids Impact Offspring Development and Maternal Care. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. (in press)

Personal interests

Visiting National Parks, hiking, live concerts / music festivals, and crafting personalized gifts and home decor, including thrifting, painting, and DIY projects.

 

Past Trainees