​​During my Masters training in Bordeaux, I worked with two different and dynamic teams at the Neurocampus. This training enabled me to develop valuable technical skills using cutting-edge techniques, get familiarized with the peer-reviewed publication process, sharpen my project management skills, and ultimately gain an immense appreciation of what it means to work at the bench.
​

publications

​2020
Lagière M, Bosc M, Whitestone S, et al. A Subset of Purposeless Oral Movements Triggered by Dopaminergic Agonists Is Modulated by 5-HT2C Receptors in Rats: Implication of the Subthalamic Nucleus. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228509 (registering DOI)

2019
Whitestone S, Deurwaerdère P, Baassiri L, et al. Effect of the 5-HT2C Receptor Agonist WAY-163909 on Serotonin and Dopamine Metabolism across the Rat Brain: A Quantitative and Qualitative Neurochemical Study. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(12):2925. Published 2019 Jun 14. doi:10.3390/ijms20122925

Chagraoui A, Whitestone S, Baassiri L, Manem J, Di Giovanni G, De Deurwaerdère P. Neurochemical impact of the 5-HT2C receptor agonist WAY-163909 on monoamine tissue content in the rat brain. Neurochem Int. 2019;124:245–255. doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2019.01.019

2018
Lagière M, Bosc M, Whitestone S, et al. Does the Serotonin2C receptor segregate circuits of the basal ganglia responding to cingulate cortex stimulation?. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2018;24(8):741–744. doi:10.1111/cns.12777

Aby F, Whitestone S, Landry M, Ulmann L, Fossat P. Inflammatory-induced spinal dorsal horn neurons hyperexcitability is mediated by P2X4 receptors. Pain Rep. 2018;3(3):e660. Published 2018 May 23. doi:10.1097/PR9.0000000000000660

graduate research​

January - June 2018
M2 Thesis: The State-Dependent Role of Descending Serotoninergic Neurons in Nociception
Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences, CNRS
     supervised by Pr Pascal Fossat, PhD

January - June 2017
M1 Thesis: Modulatory Role of the 5-HT2CRs on STN function
​Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS
     supervised by Pr Philippe de Deurwaerdère, PhD 

technical laboratory skills
​
  • in vivo single unit extracellular electrophysiology
  • stereotaxic surgery 
  • ​optogenetics (opsin transduction, light application)​
  • behavioral & nociceptive assays
  • histology & immunohistochemistry
  • fluorescence microscopy
  • scanning electron microscopy
  • biochemistry (HPLC)​

clinical research experience

January - June 2015 // University of Cincinnati Health Center for Integrative Health and Wellness
Volunteered to assist data collection and coordination of Clinical studies and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programs for oncology patients. (part-time)
 
May 2014 - December 2015 // Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Conducted home-visits and family surveys in the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area for on-going neurodevelopmental and behavioral assessment studies in vulnerable populations. (part-time)
 
December 2013 - 15 // University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Environmental Health
Managed database in on-going study to determine health outcomes of long-term occupational exposure to synthetic RCF. (part-time)