Dr. Natalie Tronson is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan and Associate Chair of Graduate Studies. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory, the internal and external factors that can lead to changes in memory, and the role of memory dysregulation in psychiatric and neurological disorders like PTSD and post-operative cognitive decline. She is particularly intrigued by questions such as “Why do many patients develop PTSD after heart attack?” and “What causes cognitive and memory decline after surgery?” and “How do normal memories for trauma become pathological in PTSD?” and “Why are women so much more susceptible to these than males?”
Therefore, Natalie’s lab focuses on mechanisms by which neuroimmune signaling and stress lead to enhancements or impairments in long term memory formation, in the role of memory reconsolidation after retrieval in maladaptive memory, and the similarities and differences in how males and females form and modulate memory.
To study these questions, she integrates behavioral measures of memory in mice, including fear conditioning and appetitive Pavlovian conditioning, models of illness including surgical induction of myocardial infarction, and protein biochemistry to measure changes in cytokines, signal transduction, and transcription. Aside from her stellar scientific track record, Natalie is a wonderful and beloved mentor. We are thrilled to welcome her as our distinguished speaker during this year’s luncheon.