Participate in Research

The below laboratories are currently accepting undergraduate and graduate students.

Becker Lab

Headshot of Kathleen Becker
Assistant Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

The Becker lab focuses on the role of cell signaling proteins in the osteoblast and the impact of peripheral nerve injury on bone formation. The overall goal of this research is to identify new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of morbidity and mortality associated with fracture.

Becker and a student researchers prepare slides in the lab

Burman Lab

Michael Burman
Director, Professor
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences

The Burman Lab investigates the effects of early life stress and pain on subsequent anxiety and pain susceptibility and related changes to brain function in a rodent model. They focus on the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and prefrontal cortex using a variety of modern behavioral, pharmacological, and molecular techniques from psychology and biology.

Can We Reduce the Effects of Neonatal Trauma on the Brain?

Headshot of Ling Cao
Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

The Cao Lab studies neuroimmune mechanisms in nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and nerve regeneration, as well as neuroimmune mechanisms in HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy, and neuroimmune mechanisms in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs). Dr. Cao also has ongoing clinical projects for medical students, which are in collaboration with the Mercy Pain Center.

Ling Cao assists a student with a microscope

Ganter Lab

Headshot of Geoff Ganter
Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

He studies steroids in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. He has expertise in neurogenetics, molecular biology, and cell biology.

Fruit Flies and Chronic Pain

Goode Lab

Headshot of Diana Goode
Associate Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences
The Goode Lab focuses on neuro-immune cell interactions in chronic and neuropathic pain syndromes, specifically examining how CD4+ T cells engage neuronal MHCII to impact response properties both during homeostasis and inflammation. To answer these questions, the Goode Lab uses pre-clinical mouse models and collaborates with Maine Health to validate findings in humans.
A close-up image of hands in purple latex gloves preparing a petri dish

Harrison Lab

Headshot of Benjamin Harrison
Associate Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

The Harrison Lab focuses on understanding neuron-intrinsic signaling mechanisms during anatomical re-structuring of peripheral afferent neurons. Dr. Harrison also has ongoing projects in bioinformatics.

Neuroplasticity and Systems Biology Research

Houseknecht Lab

Headshot of Karen Houseknecht
Professor of Pharmacology
College of Osteopathic Medicine: Department of Biomedical Sciences
College of Osteopathic Medicine: Research, Cancer and Metabolic Disease
Interim Director Girard Marine Science Center
School of Marine and Environmental Programs

Dr. Houseknecht has expertise in the pharmacology of G-protein coupled receptors and phosphdiesterases. She is interested in novel drug discovery for the treatment of diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, psychosis, and diseases of neglect.

Karen Houseknecht reviews research data with a student

King Lab

Headshot of Tamara King
Professor; Director, Behavior Core
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

Dr. King’s research interests center around mechanistic analysis of pain, with a specific focus on cancer-induced bone pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain induced by nerve injury.

Mechanistic Analysis of Pain

Meng Lab

Headshot of Ian Meng
Director
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

Current Meng Lab research is primarily focused on chronic dry eye syndrome.

Developing More Effective Treatments for Corneal Pain

Molliver Lab

Headshot of Derek Molliver
Director, Center for Cell Signaling Research; Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

Dr. Molliver’s research is focused on intracellular signaling mechanisms regulating the functional plasticity of sensory neurons in chronic pain states.

U N E faculty member Derek Molliver, Ph.D., does research in his lab with a U N E student

Queme Lab

Headshot of Luis Queme
Assistant Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

Dr. Queme’s current NIH-funded projects focus on the role of macrophages in the development of long-lasting muscle pain using a multidisciplinary approach that combines molecular biology, ex-vivo electrophysiology and AI-driven behavioral analysis.

Luis Queme and two students look at a graph on a monitor in his lab

Rosene Lab

John Rosene
Clinical Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

Currently, his research investigates head impacts and their possible connection to concussions in athletics, and potential interventions to reduce these injuries.

A student checks the ankle of a U N E softball player

Rudolph Lab

Katy Randolph
Director, Motion Analysis Laboratory

Her research interests focus on the neuromuscular control of locomotion with studies concerning patients with ACL deficiency and knee osteoarthritis. She has expertise in rehabilitation research and motor control.

Katherine Rudolph uses a MedDoc AlgoMed on a patient to get pressure pain data

Stackhouse Lab

Headshot of Scott Stackhouse
Associate Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
Center for Pain Research (COBRE)
Westbrook College of Health Professions

Dr. Stackhouse’s current research is looking at the neuromodulation of the pain system in chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Professor Stackhouse in the Physical Therapy Research Lab with a patient

Tucker Lab

Headshot of Kerry Tucker
Associate Professor
Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences

His laboratory investigates the signal transduction pathways of the primary cilia, a small antenna-like appendage protruding from the cell surface of almost all cells in the body.

A close-up of hands preparing bacteria in a petri dish