Melanie received her PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience in 2016 from Dr. Chris Cunningham’s lab at OHSU, where she studied the neural circuits of drug-cue associative learning. She then completed her postdoctoral training in Dr. Tom Kash’s lab at UNC. Here, she identified several key cortical neuromodulatory systems that support excessive alcohol use and related behavioral pathologies.
Melanie joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine as Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology in 2022. A relative latecomer to science, she initially became interested in neuroscience thanks to an inspiring mentor. Based on these experiences, Melanie is especially passionate about mentoring and training individuals from all backgrounds and across all levels. She opened her lab doors in January ‘22 and is ecstatic to see all the wonderful trainees and science to come.
Melanie M. Pina, PhD
Allison Meyers, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
she/her
Allison completed her PhD in 2022 from Dr. Jeff Beeler's lab at CUNY, Queens College. She utilized electrophysiology, pharmacological methods, and viral optogenetics to study how chronic high fat diet consumption affects silent synapses in adult mice in the dorsolateral striatum. She also examined how chronic high fat diet consumption alters spine density and morphology in direct and indirect pathway medium spiny neurons.
Allison was excited to join Dr. Pina's lab at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in November of 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow. When not doing research, Allison is an avid sci-fi reader, a big fan of museums, and a comic book aficionado.
Colin Johnston
Graduate Student / PhD Candidate
he/him
Colin received his BA in Neuroscience from Skidmore college in 2019, where he studied the role of the oxytocin and endocannabinoid systems in social behavior under Dr. Hassan Lopez. He then worked for Dr. Joanna Spencer-Segal at the University of Michigan where he examined how sepsis affects endocrine signaling and behavior.
He is currently a PiN student interested in how social experiences shape motivation and drug addiction. When not running rodents through mazes, he enjoys baking and reading horror stories.
Kynah B. Walston, MA
Lab Manager
she/they
Kynah received her BS in Psychology and Neuroscience from Bridgewater College, where she studied the reinforcement enhancing effects of caffeine and alcohol consumption under Dr. Curtis Bradley. Kynah went on to receive her MA in Experimental Psychology from East Tennessee State University, working with Dr. Matthew Palmatier. At ETSU she examined the pharmacokinetics and reinforcement enhancing effects of delta-9-THC. Kynah joined Dr. Pina’s lab in 2023 as a Research Assistant. When not in the lab, Kynah enjoys painting and is a music history enthusiast.
Justin Zielinski
Research Assistant
he/him
Justin received his BS in Biochemistry from the University of Vermont. While at the university, he researched how a transcription factor (TR) suppresses thyroid tumor cell activity through regulating proteins involved in the signaling pathways for glycogen metabolism. Outside the lab, Justin enjoys writing and playing the piano.
Lab Alumni
Miracle Eze, Bridges to the Doctorate (B2D) Program Scholar
Current: Biology Graduate Program, Towson University
Incoming UMB Program in Molecular Medicine, PhD Student
Eliza Douglass, Graduate Rotation Student
Current: UMB Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Student
America Bustos, Graduate Rotation Student
Current: UMB Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Student
Dailen Jeng, Undergraduate Trainee
Current: University of Miami MSC program & Biology
Kai Poletti, Research Assistant
Alejandro Perez, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Previous Trainees
Sarah Wu, Undergraduate Trainee (UNC)
Current: MD Candidate at Mayo Clinic AZ - Class of 2025
Alexandra Weir, Undergraduate Trainee (UNC)
Current: MD Student, UNC School of Medicine - Class of 2027
We have open positions!
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Graduate Students - Join us!
We’re currently accepting graduate rotation students and have spots for students to join our lab.
Not yet a graduate student? If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in neuroscience at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, check out our outstanding Program in Neuroscience (PIN): Web link / Twitter
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Undergrad Students - Join us!
We are always looking for curious and motivated undergrads who want to gain hands-on neuroscience training! Email Melanie with a short paragraph on why you’re interested in our lab and attach a resume or CV.
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Postdoctoral Fellows - Join us!
Interested in postdoctoral training in our lab? We’d love to hear from you! Email Melanie with a description of your previous work, why you’re interested in our lab, and attach a CV.