Updated 7/18/2017
MEREDITH A. SAUNDERS
Curriculum Vitae
University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology
BBSRB, rm. B0448D 741 S. Limestone St. Lexington, Kentucky, 40536-0509
Phone: 502.323.0575 email.
Updated 7/18/2017
Updated 7/18/2017
EDUCATION
Ongoing Doctor in Philosophy, Experimental Psychology
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Expected Graduation: 5/18
Ongoing Graduate Certificate, Biostatistics
Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Expected Graduation: 12/17
2016 Master of Science, Experimental Psychology
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Thesis: Novel spoxazomicins derived from Streptomyces sp. RM-14−6 attenuate ethanol induced cytotoxicity in vitro
2013 Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Magna Cum Laude; Psychology Department Honors
Honor’s Thesis: Co-exposure to corticosterone and ethanol causes increased neurotoxicity: An examination in vitro
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Updated 7/18/2017
2013–present
2012–2013
2012
Neuropharmacology of drugs of abuse in vitro and in vivo (Dr. Mark A. Prendergast), Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky
Effects of ethanol and corticosterone on hippocampal cell death in vitro (Undergraduate senior research project supervised under Dr. Mark A. Prendergast), Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky
Effects of parental problem drinking on child physiological responses (Undergraduate research supervised under Dr. Peggy Keller), Laboratory of Development and Family Stress, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky
Updated 7/18/2017
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2016–present Pre-doctoral Trainee: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) T32–DA16176, University of Kentucky (Dr. Linda Dwoskin)
2016 Lipman Summer Research Award in Alcohol Dependence, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky (Dr. Mark Prendergast)
PUBLICATIONS
Reynolds A.R., Saunders, M.A., Sharrett-Field, L.J., Berry, J.N., Winchester, S., & Prendergast, M.A. (in press). Broad- spectrum protein kinase inhibition by the staurosporine analog KT-5720 reverses ethanol withdrawal-associated loss of NeuN/Fox-3. Alcohol.
Shaaban, K.A., Saunders, M.A., Zhang, Y., Tran, T., Elshahawi, S.I., Ponomareva, L.V., Wang, X., Zhang, J., Copley, G.C., Sunkara, M., Kharel, M.K., Morris, A.J., Hower, J.C., Tremblay, M.S., Prendergast, M.A., Thorson, J.S. (2017). Spoxazomicin D and oxachelin C, potent neuroprotective carboxamides from the Appalachian coal fire-associated isolate Streptomyces sp. RM-14-6.Journal of Natural Products, 80(1), 2–11.
Zhang, J., Hughes, R.R., Saunders, M.A., Elshahawi, S.I., Ponomareva, L.V., Zhang, Y., Winchester, S.R., Scott, S.A., Sunkara, M., Morris, A.J., Prendergast, M.A., Shaaban, K.A., & Thorson, J.S. (2017). Identification of neuroprotective spoxazomicin and oxachelin glycosides via chemoenzymatic glycosyl-scanning.Journal of Natural Products, 80(1), 12–18.
Reynolds, A.R., Saunders, M.A., & Prendergast, M.A. (2016). Ethanol stimulates endoplasmic reticulum inositol triphosphate and sigma receptors to promote withdrawal- associated loss of neuron specific nuclear protein/Fox-3. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(7), 1454-61.
Berry, J.N., Saunders, M.A., Sharrett-Field, L.J, Reynolds, A.R., Bardo, M.T., Pauly, J.R., & Prendergast, M.A. (2016). Corticosterone enhances N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor signaling to promote ventral tegmental area neurotoxicity in the reconstituted mesolimbic dopamine pathway. Brain Research Bulletin, 120, 159–165.
Reynolds, A.R., Williams, L.A., Saunders, M.A., Prendergast, M.A. (2015). Group 1 mGlu- family proteins promote neuroadaptation to ethanol and withdrawal-associated hippocampal damage. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 156, 213–220.
Reynolds, A.R., Saunders, M.A., Brewton, H.W., Winchester, S.R., Elgumati, I.E., & Prendergast, M.A. (2015). Acute oral administration of the novel, competitive and selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist ORG 34517 reduces the severity of ethanol withdrawal and related hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis activation. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 154, 100–104.
Wang, X., Reynolds, A.R., Elshahawi, S.I., Shaaban, K.A., Ponomareva, L.V., Saunders, M.A., Elgumati, I.E., Zhang, Y., Copley, G.C., Hower, J.C., Sunkara, M., Morris, A.J., Kharel, M.K., Van Lanen, S.G., Prendergast, M.A., Thorson, J.S. (2015). Terfestatins B and C, new p-terphenyl glycosides produced by streptomyces sp. RM-5–8. Organics Letters, 17(11), 2796–9.
IN PREPARATION
Book Chapters
Saunders, M.A. & Prendergast, M.A. Sigma Receptors and Alcohol. In Preedy, V.R. (Eds.), The Neuroscience of Alcohol: Mechanisms and Treatment. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press.
Manuscripts
Saunders, M.A., Jagielo-Miller, J.E., & Prendergast, M.A. Daidzein induces cytoprotection against binge-like ethanol exposure in vitro: Role of High Mobility Group Box 1 protein? (in preparation for Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Saunders, M.A., Sharrett-Field, L.J., Reynolds A.R., Berry J.N., Jagielo-Miller, J.E., Prendergast, M.A. Plasma corticosterone levels are correlated with subsequent voluntary intake of ethanol using a chronic, intermittent access paradigm. (in preparation for Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Saunders, M.A., Berry, J.N., Butler, T.R., Sharrett-Field, L.J., Reynolds, A.R., Prendergast, M.A. Exposure to corticosterone during ethanol exposure and withdrawal augments the loss of synaptophysin immunoreactivity in a GluN2B-dependent manner. (in preparation for Brain Sciences)
Saunders, M.A., Jagielo-Miller, J.E., Prendergast, M.A. Moderation of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE)-induced neurotoxicity by calpain in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.
Maggio, S. E., Saunders, M.A., Baxter, T. A., Nixon, K., Prendergast, M. A., Zheng, G., Crooks, P., Slack, R. D., Newman, A. H., Thorson, J. S., Dwoskin, L. P., & Bardo, M. T. Effects of the nicotinic agonist varenicline, the novel nicotinic antagonist r-bPiDI, and the dopamine transporter inhibitor r-modafinil on co-use of alcohol and nicotine in female P rats.
Prendergast, M.A., Butler, T.R., Smith, K.J., Reynolds, A.R., Saunders, M.A., Little, H.J. The novel, competitive glucocorticoid receptor antagonist PT 150 reduces the severity of withdrawal from repeated binge-like ethanol administration.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Saunders, M.A., Jagielo-Miller, J.E., & Prendergast, M.A. (Nov, 2017). Daidzein induces cytoprotection against binge-like ethanol exposure in vitro: Role of High Mobility Group Box 1protein? Abstract submitted for poster presentation, Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.
Maggio, S.E., Saunders, M.A., Prendergast, M.A., Zheng, G., Crooks, P., Dwoskin, L.P., Nixon, K., & Bardo, M.T. (Aug., 2017). Effects of varenicline, naltrexone, and the novel nicotinic antagonist r-bPiDI on co-use of alcohol and nicotine in female P rats. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, European Behavioral Pharmacology Society, Crete, Greece.
Saunders, M.A., Maggio, S.E., Hofford, R.S., Zhang, Y., Shaaban, K.A., Zhang, J., Watt, D.S., Frasinyuk, M.S., Bondarenko, S.P., Yuan, Y., Zhan, C.-G., Nixon, K., Thorson, J.S., Bardo, M.T., & Prendergast, M.A. (June, 2017). Attenuation of ethanol and nicotine co-use by novel synthetic isoflavonoids: An examination in vitro and in vivo. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, Research Society on Alcoholism, Denver, Colorado.
Maggio, S.E., Saunders, M.A., Baxter, T.A., Nixon, K., Prendergast, M.A., Zheng, G., Crooks, P., Newman, A., Thorson, J.S., Dwoskin, L.P., & Bardo, M.T. (June, 2017). Effects of the nicotinic agonist varenicline, the novel nicotinic antagonist r-bPiDI, and the unique dopamine agonist r-modafinil on co-use of alcohol and nicotine in female P rats. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, The College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Montréal, Canada.
Saunders, M.A., Jagielo-Miller, J.E., K. Nixon, Prendergast, M.A. Daidzein induces cytoprotection against binge-like ethanol exposure via interactions with High Mobility Group Box 1 protein in vitro (April, 2017). Abstract submitted for poster presentation, 33nd Annual BGSFN Spring Neuroscience Day, Lexington, Kentucky.
Rice, B.A.,Eaton, S.E., Saunders, M.A., Arthur, D. (April 2017). Technology in the classroom facilitates application of APA style, but not recall. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, Society for the Teaching of Psychology at Midwestern Psychology Association, Chicago, IL.
Saunders, M.A., Maggio, S.E., Shaaban, K.A., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Watt, D.S., Frasinyuk, M.S., Yuan, Y., Zhan, C.-G., Nixon, K., Thorson, J.S., Bardo, M.T., & Prendergast, M.A. (Sept., 2016). Novel synthetic isoflavonoid for the treatment of alcohol and nicotine co-use. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, 2016 Clinical-Translational Research Symposium, Lexington, Kentucky.
Saunders, M.A., Shaaban, K.A., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Thorson, J.S., Yuan, Y., Zhan, C.-G., Nixon, K., Prendergast, M.A. (June, 2016). Novel spoxazomixicins derived from Streptomyces sp. RM-14−6 attenuate ethanol induced cytotoxicity in vitro. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, Research Society on Alcoholism, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Saunders, M.A., Maggio, S.E., Shaaban, K.A., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Watt, D., Frasinyuk, M.,
Yuan, Y., Zhan, C.-G., Nixon, K., Thorson, J.S., Bardo, M.T., Prendergast, M.A. (March, 2016). Novel synthetic isoflavone for the treatment of AUD: An examination in vitro and in vivo. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, 32nd Annual BGSFN Spring Neuroscience Day, Lexington, Kentucky.
*Received Outstanding Graduate Student Poster Award
Saunders, M.A., Maggio, S.E., Van Skike, C.E., Shaaban, K.A., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J.,
Thorson, J.S., Yuan, Y., Zhan, C.-G., Dwoskin, L.P., Prendergast, M.A., Bardo, M., & Nixon, K. (Nov., 2015). Novel natural products derived from Streptomyces sp. RM-14–6 for the treatment of alcohol and nicotine co-dependence. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, Symposium on Drug Discovery Development, Lexington, Kentucky.
*Received 2nd Place Outstanding Poster Presentation Award
Saunders, M.A., Maggio, S.E., Van Skike, C.E., Zhang, Y., Shaaban, K.A., Zhang, J.,
Thorson, J.S., Yuan, Y., Zhan, C.-G., Dwoskin, L.P., Prendergast, M.A., Bardo, M., & Nixon, K. (Aug., 2015). Screening CPRI repository for treating alcohol and nicotine co- dependence. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, 4th Annual-University of Kentucky Natural Products Consortium Symposium, Lexington, Kentucky.
Reynolds, A.R., Berry, J.N., Sharrett-Field, L.J., Saunders, M.A., Prendergast, M.A. (June, 2014). Ethanol exposure stimulates the mGluR5 receptor prior to withdrawal to promote cytotoxicity of chronic, intermittent ethanol. Abstract submitted for poster presentation, Research Society on Alcoholism, Bellevue, Washington.
Saunders, M.A. Prendergast, M.A. (May, 2013). Co-exposure to corticosterone and ethanol causes increased neurotoxicity: An examination in vitro. University of Kentucky Honors Day, Department of Psychology, Lexington, Kentucky.
TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Activity
2016 Co-Instructor: Psychopharmacology
2016 Teaching Assistant: Experimental Psychology
2014–2016 Grader: Psychopharmacology
2015 Grader: Brain and Behavior
2014–2015 Teaching Assistant: Brain and Behavior
2014–2015 Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Statistics
2013 Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Psychology
Mentoring Activity
2015–present Giamnys Valdés Lastre, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky
2015–2017 Samantha Scott, Departments of Psychology, University of Kentucky
Honor’s Thesis: Triboelectric inhibition of beta amyloid plaque formation as a pharmacologic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
2015–2016 Christina Griffin, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky
2014–2017 Sydney Winchester, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky
Honor’s Thesis: A 48 hour co-exposure to corticosterone augment NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in rat hippocampal slice cultures
2014–2016 Ibrahim Elgumati, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky
2013–present Summer Training in Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky
Giamnys Valdés Lastre, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky
Samantha Scott, Departments of Psychology, University of Kentucky
Sydney Winchester, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky
Honoreé Brewton, Department of Psychology, Howard University
LEADERSHIP AND UNIVERSITY SERVICE
2000-present PATH Coalition of Nelson County (focused on informing members of the community, especially youth, on the risks of drug use and abuse), Bardstown, KY
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2015-present Research Society on Alcoholism
2013–present Bluegrass Chapter of Society for Neuroscience
2015–present Society for Neuroscience
2015–present Psi Chi