# Voltage imaging of astrocyte-neuron interactions

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2021 · $40,501

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This application is for a diversity supplement to the R01 NS113499 “VOLTAGE IMAGING OF ASTROCYTE-
NEURON INTERACTIONS” of Dr. Chris Dulla at Tufts University. The candidate is Jacqueline Garcia, a pre-
doctoral student in the lab of Dr. Dulla focusing on astrocyte voltage imaging and how astrocyte membrane
voltage affects glutamate uptake. Jacqueline will take the tools currently in use the Dulla Lab and use them to
pursue her interests in how traumatic brain injury affects astrocyte membrane potential and downstream
glutamate signaling. Discussions with the R01 program officer, Dr. Miriam Leenders, deemed this approach was
“in scope” and will provide Jacqueline with a launch pad for her own independent career. Jacqueline qualifies as
a diversity candidate as a Latina and due to her economically disadvantaged background. Therefore she is a
member of multiple underrepresented groups. This supplement will fund Jacqueline for 3 years of her graduate
thesis work. Funding for Y3 will be contingent on submission of an NRSA application during Y2. During this time
Jacqueline will receive training in cellular and molecular neuroscience, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, glial
biology, and more. She will gain expertise in biochemistry, models of traumatic brain injury, astrocyte genetically
encoded voltage indicator (GEVI) imaging, iGluSnFR glutamate imaging, and electrophysiology. This training
will guide her towards an NRSA application and a future as a leader in neuroscience research. Ms. Garcia is
devoted to academic research with a focus on traumatic brain injury. Dr. Dulla has a great deal of experience
mentoring students, was awarded the 2018 Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship, and is involved with the
HHMI Gilliam Fellowship through other students in the lab. The project laid out here will give Ms. Garcia excellent
and rigorous training in glutamate neurotransmission, neuron/glia interactions, and cutting-edge imaging
modalities. Dr. Dulla and Ms. Garcia have developed a structured, rigorous, and customized mentorship and
training plan. The funding offered through this supplement will give Jaqueline the opportunity to enrich her
graduate training so that she can gain additional training and create an extensive network of professional
colleagues. This diversity supplement will give Jacqueline a clear path toward an exciting future as a up and
coming researcher in the field of epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and glutamate neurotransmission. The activities
laid out and the enrichment opportunities will be critical to Ms. Garcia’s development and future as a successful
independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10299904
- **Project number:** 3R01NS113499-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Chris G Dulla
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $40,501
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-09-15 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10299904

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10299904, Voltage imaging of astrocyte-neuron interactions (3R01NS113499-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10299904. Licensed CC0.

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