D. Thad Whitaker
Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience
dustin.whitaker@nih.gov
twhitaker42@gmail.com
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
2011 – Present
Bachelors of Science, Biology
2006 – 2010
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Thesis: Differential gene expression in the anterior forebrain pathway nucleus Area X during rapid vocal learning.
Research Experience:
National Eye Institute, Laboratory of Dr. Anand Swaroop
2013 - Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Maturation of rod photoreceptors in mouse retinal development, focusing on synapse formation and function.
Texas A&M University, Laboratory of Dr. Hubert Amrein
Graduate Research Assistant
Production of modified Gr43a expression in D. melanogaster through mutant promoter regions.
2013
Texas A&M University, Laboratory of Dr. Thierry Lints
2011 – 2013
Graduate Research Assistant
Microarray screen of the transcriptional changes occurring in the early stages of vocal learning in the songbird brain.
National Eye Institute, Laboratory of Dr. Anand Swaroop
2010 – 2011
Post-baccalaureate Research Assistant
Role of the Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity pathway (specifically Prickle1) in mouse retinal development and into adulthood.
Duke University, Laboratory of Dr. Erich Jarvis
2009 – 2010
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Microarray screen of the transcriptional changes occurring in the early stages of vocal learning in the songbird brain.
Texas A&M University, Laboratory of Dr. Thierry Lints
2007 – 2010
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Microarray screen of the transcriptional changes occurring in the early stages of vocal learning in the songbird brain.
Publications:
Liu C, Lin C*, Whitaker DT*, Bakeri H, Bulgakov O, Liu P, Lei J, Dong L, Li T, Swaroop A. Prickle1
is expressed in distinct cell populations of the central nervous system and contributes to neuronal
morphogenesis. Human Molecular Genetics 22 (11): 2234 – 2246.
*Equal contribution
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Posters:
Whitaker DT*, Deshpande M, Pirlepesov F, Ratliff EJ, Lints T. Molecular analysis of a sensory
experience-induced sleep in juvenile male songbirds. Society for Neuroscience (SfN), 2012. New Orleans, LA.
Deshpande M*, Whitaker DT, Pfenning A, Jarvis ED, Lints T. Identification of molecular changes
underlying the initial stages of vocal learning in the zebra finch. Society for Neuroscience (SfN), 2011.
Washington, DC.
Whitaker DT*, Bakeri H, Liu C, Swaroop A. Expression and function of planar cell polarity gene
Prickle1 during retinal development. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), 2011.
Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Whitaker DT*, Deshpande M, Jarvis ED, Lints T. Gene expression during vocal learning. Texas A&M
University Student Research Week, 2010. College Station, TX.
Deshpande M, Pirlepesov F, Whitaker DT, Lints T*. Rapid song-induced sleep at the onset of the
vocal learning process. Janelia Farm Conference: Sleep in non-mammalian models, 2009.
*Presenting author
Teaching:
Introductory Biology I Laboratory (BIOL 111)
Regulatory and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory (BIOL 435)
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Awards:
Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA), NEI, NIH
Who’s Who among Students in American Universities & Colleges
2010 – 2011
2010
Service:
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Annual Symposium Planning Committee
2011 – Present
Head of Committee
2012 – 2013
Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Graduate Student Representative
2012 – 2013
Texas A&M University, Student Research Week (SRW), Undergraduate Judge
2012, 2013
Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Website Design
2012 – Present
Texas A&M University, ‘Mentoring Undergraduates’ Workshops for Graduate Students
2012
Memberships:
Society for Neuroscience
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
2012 – Present
2011
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