Adam Roberts, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology

Biography

I received my Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where I investigated the cellular mechanisms that underlie simple forms of learning. I continued to research synaptic plasticity in the mouse hippocampus as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

My research seeks to use larval zebrafish to understand memory formation and autism spectrum disorder. Current projects seek to visualize memory formation and further develop the zebrafish model of autism spectrum disorder.

Degrees

2005, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

1999, Master of Science, Emporia State University

1999, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Emporia State University

1997, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Emporia State University

Research Areas

My research utilizes advanced microscopy combined with optogenetics to observe memory formation in vivo. Current projects are using light sensitive proteins to map and control memory-related neural circuits.

Publications

Roberts, A.C, Pearce, K, Choe, R.C., Alzagatiti, J.B., Yeung, A.K., Bill, B. R., Glanzman, D.L. Long-term habituation of the C-start escape response in zebrafish larvae. Neurobiol Learn Mem . 2016 Oct: 134 Pt B: 360-8.

Roberts, A.C, Bill, B.B., Glanzman, D.L. Learning and memory in zebrafish larvae. Front Neural Circuits . 2013 Aug: 7: 126.

Roberts, A.C., Reichl, J., Song, M.Y., Dearinger, A.D., Moridzadeh, N., Lu, Pearce, K., Esdin, J., Glanzman, D.L. Characterization of habituation of the startle response in the larval zebrafish, Danio rerio. PLoS ONE 2011 Dec: 6 (12): e29132.

Wang, X., McCoy, P.A., Rodriguiz, R.M., Pan, Y., Je, H.S., Roberts, A.C., Kim, C.J., Berrios, J., Colvin, J.S., Bousquet-Moore, D., Lorenzo, I., Wu, G., Weinberg, R.J., Ehlers, M.D., Philpot, B.D., Beaudet, A.L., Wetsel, W.C., Jiang, Y.H. Synaptic dysfunction and abnormal behaviors in mice lacking major isoforms of Shank3. Hum Mol Genet 2011 Aug: 20 (15): 3093-108.

Larsen, R.S., Corlew, R.J., Henson, M.A., Roberts, A.C., Mishina, M., Watanabe, M., Lipton, S.A., Nakanishi, N., Pérez-Otaño, I., Weinberg, R.J., Philpot, B.D. NR3A-containing NMDARs promote neurotransmitter release and spike timing-dependent plasticity. Nat Neurosci 2011 Mar: 14 (3): 338-44.

Henson, M.A., *Roberts, A.C., & Philpot, B.D. Influence of the NR3A subunit on NMDA receptor function. Prog Neurobiol. 2010 May: 91 (1): 23-37. *denotes equal authorship

Roberts, A.C., Lopez, I.P., Rodriguiz, R., Pico, E., Lujan, R., Lopez-Mascaraque, L., Feng, G., Lo, D. C., Wetsel, W.C., Philpot, B.D., Perez-Otano, I. Developmental down-regulation of NR3A-containing NMDARs is required for synapse maturation and proper learning. Neuron . 2009 Aug: 63(3): 342-56.