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Khampaseuth Rasakham
Graduate Student
Department of Psychology, 125-NI
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115 USA
(617) 373- (office)
(617) 373-8714 (fax)
rasakham.k@neu.edu

Advisor: Jay McLaughlin

Research

I am a fourth year student in Dr Jay McLaughlin's lab working towards my PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience. I am interested in examining the molecular mechanisms involved in stress, depression, and drug abuse. In our ongoing research studies our lab has demonstrated that enhanced mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase activity is associated with stress, depression, and enhanced drug craving. My dissertation focuses on exploring how MAP kinase activation is involved in the modulation of stress, depression, and drug abuse by examining the mechanisms mediating the regulation of MAP kinase activity and the molecular consequences of its activation. Using the human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell lines as a model I am exploring the various components involved in regulation of MAP kinase activity and my hopes are to gain insight onto novel specific therapeutic targets for treatment of disorders of stress, depression, and drug abuse.