Alynda Wood

Alynda Wood (Lyndie) transferred to Hampshire from community college in Fall 2009. There she studied neuroscience, cognitive science and molecular biology. During the summer before her Division III, she interned in the Wiltgen Lab at the University of Virginia under a grant from the Culture, Brain, and Development Program. After graduating in Spring 2012, she recieved the Postbalalaureate Intramural Research Training Award from the National Institute of Health. She plans on applying to graduate school in 2014.

= Division III: The Molecular Biology of Memory =

Lyndie's Division III can be downloaded here.

Abstract
Learning is often used as the poster child for “molecule to mind” linkage in neuroscience. Few other brain functions have such prolific lines of study on multiple levels of analysis, ranging from the biochemical properties of the synapse to the study of how memory is influenced by human culture. Model organisms, such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, provide an invaluable opportunity for connecting genetic and molecular phenomena to learning and memory related behaviors, though some research question the foundational assumptions that these studies are based on. The present study uses C. elegans to examine the role of two genes in associative learning: rrf-3, a gene that inhibits the gene knockdown technique RNA interference (RNAi), and casy-1, a gene suspected to be an essential for all forms of associative learning in C. elegans and related to memory formation in humans. Strains of C. elegans lacking rrf-3 or casy-1 were conditioned to associate the chemical butanone with food, and preference assays were done to assess learning. These results suggest that strains without rrf-3 can be used for RNAi/learning and memory studies, as well as raising questions about whether the same fundamental mechanisms underlie different types of learning.

Table of Contents
Part 1 - Searching for the Biological Underpinnings of Learning and Memory: Model Organisms and Reductionist Strategies


 * 1) Introduction
 * 2) Reductionist Investigations: Synaptic Plasticity and Memory
 * 3) NMDA Receptor-Dependent LTP: The Universal Memory Mechanism?
 * 4) Memory Beyond the Synapse

Part 2 - Using RNAi Hypersensitive Strains of Caenorhabditis Elegans To Study Associative Learning

Introduction


 * 1) Methods
 * 2) Results
 * 3) Discussion
 * 4) References

= Coursework =

Key: AC = Amherst College; HC = Hampshire College; MHC = Mt. Holyoke College; PVCC = Piedmont VA Community College; SC = Smith College

Art


 * Drawing I

Biology


 * Honors General Biology I (PVCC)
 * Honors General Biology II (PVCC)
 * GENE CLONING (HC)
 * Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes (SC)
 * Evolutionary Biology (AC)
 * Topics in Evolutionary Biology: Epigenetics (SC)

Chemistry


 * General Chemistry I (MHC)
 * Organic Chemistry I (SC)

Cognitive and Neurosciences


 * Minds, Brains, and Machines (HC)
 * Introduction to Neuropsychology (HC)
 * Memory Systems (HC)
 * Independent Study: Neuroscience of Sleep (HC)
 * Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (SC)
 * Social Behavior and Epigenetic Mechanisms (HC)
 * Brain and Cognition II: Electrophysiological Methodologies (HC)

Computer Science


 * Computer Conepts and Applications (PVCC)
 * Computer Science 101 (Coursera short course, non-accredited)

Dance


 * Beginning Modern Dance (PVCC)
 * Intermediate Modern Dance (PVCC)
 * Dance Improvisation (PVCC)

History


 * United States History I (PVCC)
 * United States History II (PVCC)
 * America in the Gilded Age (PVCC)

Languages and Cultural Studies


 * Beginning Spanish I (PVCC)
 * Beginning Spanish II (PVCC)
 * Intermediate Spanish I (PVCC)
 * Eastern Religions (PVCC)
 * Principles of Sociology (PVCC)

Mathematics and Statistics


 * Mathematical Problem Solving (HC)
 * Calculus I (HC)
 * Statistics for Undergraduate Research (SC)
 * Independent Study/EPEC: Graph Theory (HC)

Philosophy


 * Honors Philisophical Experience: Existentialism (PVCC)
 * Independent Study: Consciousness and Neuroethics (HC)

Writing


 * Honors College Composition I (PVCC)
 * Honors College Composition II (PVCC)
 * Creative Writing (PVCC)

= Campus Involvement =

Co-Director of the Culture, Brain, and Development Student Group (Fall 2009 - 2012)

Cognitive Science School Member (2011 - 2012)

Educational Policy Committee Member (2011 - 2012)

CBD Program Coordinator Search Committee Member (2011)

CS Philosophy Search Committee Member (2010 - 2011)

Organized elections for Student Representatives on the 2012 Dean of Faculty/VPAA Search Committee (Fall 2011)

Signer for Re-Rad (Fall 2011)

Student Representative to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee (2010 - 2011)

Orientation Leader (Fall 2010)

= Publications and Posters = Publications

Wiltgen, B. J., Wood, A. N., & Levy, B. (2011). The cellular mechanisms of memory are modified by experience. Learning & Memory, 18(12), 747–750

Posters

K.K Tayler, K.Z. Tanaka, E.G. Lowry, A.N. Wood, A.B.Levy, B.J Wiltgen Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. Poster presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Washington DC November 13, 2011

K.K Tayler, K.Z. Tanaka, E.G. Lowry, A.N. Wood, A.B.Levy, B.J Wiltgen Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. Poster presented at the Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society Annual Meeting, Washington DC November 10, 2011