PAIN Retreat Group Photo

Migraine headache is one of the most debilitating disorders in the world and treatments are insufficient. My laboratory studies the neurocircuitry underlying migraine and post-traumatic headache. Our preclinical laboratory focuses heavily on the sensory abnormalities associated with migraine and post-traumatic headache, including photophobia, spontaneous pain and touch hypersensitivity. Our lab’s research uses functional MRI, optogenetic and DREADD approaches to better understand the circuits contributing to those sensory abnormalities. We recently identified the deep cerebellar nuclei as possible sensory integration centers underlying sensory abnormalities in migraine. We are a VA associated lab and part of the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss with a special emphasis on Veteran related problems in headache. Post-traumatic headache is similar to migraine and affects about 50% of Veterans who saw combat in war zones. Our hope is to one day identify brain regions that can be manipulated in humans to treat headache. Our promotion of a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to tackle these important questions in headache medicine offers trainees room to grow and become wonderful independent scientists.

nestin hRAMP1 (-) image

Iowa Neuroscience Institute Events

Carver College of Medicine Events

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, January 13, 11:00am to Monday, December 8, 2025 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building
Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion! This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science. Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, March 10, 2025 11:00am to Monday, February 2, 2026 11:00am
Carver Biomedical Research Building
Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion! This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science. Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar: Dr. Edward H. Egelman promotional image

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar: Dr. Edward H. Egelman

Thursday, April 3, 2025 10:30am to 11:20am
Medical Education Research Facility
This event is open to the public. Using Cryo-EM to Understand Evolution Edward H. Egelman, PhD Harrison Distinguished Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics University of Virginia Egelman Lab | https://egelmanlab.org/

Neuroscience & Pharmacology Workshop - Gabrielle (Gabby) Bierlein-De La Rosa and Alex Dou

Thursday, April 3, 2025 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Medical Education Research Facility
Presented by Gabby Bierlein-De La Rosa Graduate Student in Dr. Catherine Marcinkiewcz's lab Presented by Alex Dou Graduate student in Dr. Chris Ahern's lab
Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Bill Milanick promotional image

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Bill Milanick

Friday, April 4, 2025 12:00pm
Medical Education Research Facility
If you are unable to make it in person, please consider joining via Zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/95163819372 Meeting ID: 951 6381 9372