Salvatore Lab
est. 2006 | Fort Worth, Texas USA
Identifying brain proteins that can be targeted to improve motor function by characterizing the proteins responding to lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, in translation-focused studies of aging and Parkinson's Disease rodent models.
Michael F. Salvatore, Ph.D.
Professor, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Lab Head.
BA, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1988
PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, 2000
Mentor: John W. Haycock, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral, Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Fellow and Neurobiology of Aging Fellow, University of Kentucky Medical Center
Current position: Professor, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center-Fort Worth,2020-
Previous: Associate Professor, LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport 2012-2014
UNT Health-Fort Worth, 2015-2020
Assistant Professor, LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport 2006-2012
Current Doctoral Students:
Janiece Vancil
BS, Neuroscience, UT-Dallas
Project: Monomer v oligomer expression profile of alpha-synuclein in rat models of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiological and motor impact of aerobic exercise.
Elle V. Rogers
BS, Biochemistry, University of North Texas
Project: Impact of GDNF family receptor on nigrostriatal neuron function.
Prior to joining the Salvatore Lab to contribute to Parkinson's Research, Elle obtained a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton. There, she participated in undergraduate research into methanotrophic bacteria as part of the Henard Lab and competed in multiple research competitions. Elle has also spent time as an environmental regulator and a substitute teacher. Elle has a passion for helping those around her. In her spare time, Elle enjoys reading, Muay Thai, and gardening. Elle hopes to contribute to research that explores the role of exercise in ameliorating Parkinson's symptoms, and to contribute to the growing body of evidence seeking to understand the link between environmental toxins and the development of Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism.
Graduates from the Salvatore Lab:
Brandon S. Pruett, MD, Ph.D.
BS, Northwestern State
PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 2012
MD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 2014
Research Track Resident, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, 2014-2018
Current position: Assocate Professor, Psychiatry, UAB UAB
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/psychiatry/faculty/adult-inpatient/pruett-brandon-scott-m-d-ph-d
Tanya Chotibut, Ph.D.
BS, Swarthmore College
PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 2014
Current position, Associate Director, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA
Jennifer C. Arnold, Ph.D.
BS, Kansas State University
PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 2016
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurosurgery, NYU School of Medicine
Current position, Medical Communications, CMC Connect
Ella A. Kasanga, Ph.D.
MPhil, Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
PhD, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2021
Current position, Postdoctoral Fellow, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Awards Honors:
Society for Neuroscience Trainee Award, 2017, 2019
Visiting Scholar Award, Parkinson’s Foundation, 2020
“Investigating the role of astrocyte- specific glutamate transporters in preservation
of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase following exercise in a rat hemi-Parkinson’s disease
model”, Laboratory of Jason Richardson, Ph.D., Florida Intl. Univ.
• Predoctoral International Fellowship, Neurobiology of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Training Program
• University of Utah, Rising Stars in Neuroscience Symposium
• Harbans Lal Award, Outstanding Graduate Student in Pharmacology & Neuroscience
• Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Online Sciathon First Place
Isabel Soto
BS, University of Houston, 2017
PhD, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2024
Current position, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan, Michigan Neuroscience Institute
Awards Honors
Movement Disorder Society Pan American Research Training Program, 2024
Neurobiology of Aging Conference, UNT Health Sci Ctr, Best Oral Presentation, 2023
Society for Neuroscience, Neuroscience Scholars Program, 2022
Southern Gerontological Society, Student Travel Scholarship, 2022 Annual Meeting
Southern Gerontological Society, 1st place, Best Student Poster, 43rd Annual Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida
Previous Lab Staff:
Kirby Doshier
BS, Texas Wesleyan University
MS, University of North Texas
PhD, University of North Texas, 2025
Current Position: Parkinson's Foundation
Research Interest: Tracking eye movement differences in early-stage Parkinson's disease. Impact of exercise on motor and cognitive function in patients and in rat PD models.
Robert McManus
B.S., Texas Wesleyan University, 2021 (Summa Cum Laude), 2021
Current position: Medical student, University of Texas-Houston, McGovern Medical School
About Robert; I like to write code in my spare time and my favorite part about science is making graphs. Studying Parkinson's is important to me because I'm making a direct impact
on an expanding patient population while still learning the skills I'll take with me into my future as a researcher. "
Walter Navarrete
B.S., University of Texas-Dallas, 2020
Current position: iota Bioscence, 2023-
