Alexis B. Peterson 1308 Northlake Circle N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30345
(646) 326-8766
Education
Ph.D., NeuroscienceUniversity of Virginia December 2013
B.A., PsychologySt. John’s UniversityMay 2009
Minor: Biology
Professional Experience
Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Centers for Disease Control
July 2015-June 2017
Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Division for the Analysis, Research and Practice Integration, Supervisors: Drs. Erin Sauber-Schatz and Karin Mack
Atlanta, GA
- Two year on the job training and service fellowship in applied epidemiology
Postdoctoral FellowDec. 2013-June 2015
Cardiovascular Research Center, Advisor: Dr. Brian Annex
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Laboratory Research and Career Development
- Basic and clinical biomedical research as part of a team of three researchers with individual projects
- Research focus is the development of novel therapeutics, both pharmacological (microRNAs) and non-pharmacological (exercise), for peripheral arterial disease
- Complied and communicated complex findings to faculty, staff, undergraduate researchers, and AstaZeneca stakeholders
- Powerpoint presentations were tailored to the specific audience with complex scientific ideas and findings simplified for novice learners or extremely detailed for advanced learners
- Honed in AMA writing skills by attending seminars focused on scientific writing for publication and writing weekly project updates
- Proficient with graphing software (i.e. Graph Pad Prism) and statistical analyses of small and large data sets using SPSS and SAS, respectively.
- Developed and submitted (2015) Mid-Atlantic Postdoctoral fellowship application to the American Heart Association
Ad Hoc ReviewerFall 2012-Spring 2014
Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
- Advised authors on editorial (i.e. syntax and grammar corrections and alterations to graphical data presented) and contentchanges needed for manuscript publication.
- Ensured that authors adhered to the format, style, and high scientific standards of the journal.
Graduate StudentAug. 2009- Nov.2013
Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, Advisor: Dr. Wendy Lynch
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Laboratory Research
- Examined the potential utility of exercise and its subsequent effects on epigenetic modifications in preclinical models of cocaine addiction.
- Studied gender differences and risk factors in human cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol addiction
- Utilized and analyzed population data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for dissertation and subsequent publications
- Gained general knowledge on a variety of key medical concepts in oncology, biology, human anatomy, and medical neuroscience
- Solid knowledge of biostatistics with 5 years of practical application in biomedical research and received an A in statistics graduate level coursework
- Developed and submitted (2011) a Pre-doctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) that was favorably scored for overall impact/merit
Project Management and Leadership ExperienceFeb. 2013-Nov.2013
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- Managed up to 6 undergraduate research assistants, supervised individual undergraduate research projects and productivity, and managed the budget and expenses for the lab
- Independently proofread and edited grant proposals and original manuscripts for publication for 2 other graduate students and principal investigator in the laboratory without supervision.
LecturerJan. 2011-Dec. 2012
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- Led and taught 20-40 undergraduates and upwards of 60 first year medical students during two different classes. Primary duty was to communicate complex scientific concepts to novice and advanced learners
- Developed course materials, individual tutoring, and designed exams for both an advanced psychology course (undergraduate level) and introductory neuroscience course (medical school level).
Publications and Conference Presentations
BeiterRM.#, Peterson AB.#, Abel JM., and Lynch WJ. * (2015).Exercise during Early, but not Late Abstinence, Attenuates Subsequent Relapse Vulnerability in a Rat Model. Biological Psychiatry, submitted. #Authors with equal contributions and *Communicating Author
Peterson AB.,Hivick D., and Lynch WJ. (2014). Dose-dependent effectiveness of wheel running to attenuate cocaine-seeking: impact of sex and estrous cycle in rats.Psychopharmacology (Berl).231(13):2661-70
Peterson AB., Abel JM., and Lynch WJ. (2014). “Dose-dependent effects of wheel running on cocaine-seeking and prefrontal cortex Bdnf exon IV expression in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 231(7):1305-14.
Lynch WJ.,Peterson AB., Sanchez V, Abel JM., Smith MA. (2013). “Exercise as a Novel Treatment for Drug Addiction: A Neurobiological Hypothesis.”NeurosciBiobehav Rev.37(8):1622-44
Lynch, W.J., PiehlKB., Acosta G., Peterson AB.,Hemby SE. (2010). “Aerobic exercise attenuates reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior and associated neuroadaptations in the Prefrontal Cortex.” Biological Psychiatry,68(8):774-7.
Peterson AB., Abel JM., and Lynch WJ.“Dose dependent effects of exercise on cocaine-seeking and associated neuroadaptations in the prefrontal cortex.” 2013. Oral presentation at 75th Annual Meeting - College on Problems of Drug Dependence, San Diego, CA
Peterson, AB and Lynch, WJ.“Sex differences in the effects of exercise on subsequent cocaine craving in rats." 2012. Symposium presentation at 74th Annual Meeting - College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Palm Springs, CA
Peterson, AB and Lynch, WJ. "Sex differences in the effects of exercise on subsequent cocaine craving in rats." 2011. Poster presentation at Society for Neuroscience 41st Annual Meeting Washington, DC.
Professional Memberships
Co-Chair of planning and course design, Career Development Course
Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia2014-Spring 2015
Mentoring Institute for Graduate Education2009-Spring 2015
University of Virginia
Woman in Mathematics and ScienceSpring 2010-Spring 2015
University of Virginia
Distinctions
2015- Excellence in Frontline Public Health Service January 2016
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
Cardiovascular Training Grant RecipientNov. 2013-Nov. 2015
University of Virginia
Travel AwardMarch 2012
Primm-Singleton Minority Travel Awards Program for 2012 College on Problems of Drug Dependence Conference
Travel Award March 2012
National Institute on Drug Abuse Women & Sex/Gender Junior Investigator Travel Award for 2012 College on Problems of Drug Dependence Conference
Honorable Mention,Ford Pre-doctoral FellowshipApril 2011
2011 Ford Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship Competition
Keynote SpeakerOctober 2010
Ronald E. McNair Induction Ceremony, St. John’s University
Travel AwardAugust 2010
Leadership Development and Grant Writing Seminar Program Participant- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program
Neuroscience Graduate Training Grant Appointment May 2010 to May 2011
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)