Advisor: Hang Lu, Ph.D.
School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee members:
Daniel Goldman, Ph.D.
School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology
Patrick McGrath, Ph.D.
School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology
Simon Sponberg, Ph.D.
School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology
Lena Ting, Ph.D.
Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Engineered imaging and behavior assays to study effects of genes and environment on neurodegeneration
Environmental and genetic factors are two main contributors to disease pathology, including neurodegeneration. In particular, particulate matter exposure has been linked with many adverse health effects, including Parkinson's disease. However, the diversity of genetic backgrounds and environmental exposures make the link between the two hard to study in humans. We use the model organism, C. elegans to tightly control genetic background and environmental exposure and measure the resulting neurodegeneration. Existing systems cannot monitor the development and neurodegeneration of individuals. This work will focus on the effect of traffic-related PM exposure on Parkinson's disease related neurodegeneration and behavioral decline. The objective of my thesis is to engineer a system which can record the long-term development and behavior of worms during exposure to oxy-PAH, measure the subsequent neurodegeneration through a physically challenging assay which requires sensorimotor integration, and assess the functional integrity of neurons and link that to changes in behavior. This system will allow for linking environmental toxins with cellular stress mechanisms, neural degeneration, and behavior of individuals.