Abigail Trebilcock

EDUCATION

College / University

University of Calgary

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Neuroscience

Country

Canada

Lab Experience

During my undergraduate degree I completed three summer internships at the University of Calgary. After graduating, I worked as a research assistant for a year, also at the University of Calgary.

Projects / Research

In Dr. Alex Lohman’s lab at the University of Calgary, I spear-headed a project designing a photo-releasable version of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β as a novel optogenetic tool to study neuroinflammation. I also completed my honour’s thesis project in Dr. Lohman’s lab investigating the role of purinergic signaling in blood brain barrier breakdown in the context of neuroinflammation.

Scholarships / Awards

2022 – 2023:

Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

During my undergraduate degree, I was captivated by behavioural and systems neuroscience; I loved learning about how neural circuits underlie different behaviours and cognitive processes. I am also really interested in synaptic plasticity and how these circuits are adaptable to experience. So far, my research has focused on a molecular level of understanding but I would love to transition to a cellular and network perspective. I am really interested in the research techniques used to understand neural circuitry including novel imaging techniques and electrophysiology. Moving forward, I would love to focus on examining neuronal activity to evaluate the neural circuitry underlying specific cognitive processes.