Damian G. Zuloaga, Ph.D.
Mailing Address:
Damian G. Zuloaga, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
SUNY Albany
Albany, NY, 12222
Email: dzuloaga@albany.edu
Education:
Ph.D.
M.A.
B.A.
Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience
Psychology
Psychology
Michigan State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University
2008
2003
1999
Areas of Interest:
Neuroendocrinology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Stress, Stress Hormones, Gonadal Hormones, Endocrinology,
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Depression/Anxiety, Development, Neuropeptides, Sex Differences,
Drugs of Abuse.
Research Experience:
2011-2014
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and
Science University, Portland, OR.
2008-2011
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona
College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ.
2003-2008
Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing,
MI.
1999-2003
Research Assistant/Master’s Student, Department of Psychology, San
Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
Professional Memberships:
Society for Neuroscience
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
Ad-hoc Reviewer
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
Behavioural Brain Research
Neuroscience Research
Chronobiology International
Academic and Professional Honors
1999 Graduated Cum Laude with Academic Distinction in Psychology, SDSU.
2003 Awarded a Competitive Doctoral Enrichment Fellowship, MSU.
2006 Awarded a NIH NRSA Predoctoral Grant fellowship, MSU.
2008 Received a travel award for the US/Japan Neurosteroid Symposium, Gifu, Japan
2009 Received a travel award for Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, E. Lansing, MI
2011 Awarded NIDA Postdoctoral Training Grant, OHSU.
2012 Awarded a Tartar Fellowship, OHSU.
2012 Received a travel award for NIDA Minisymposium, Society for Neuroscience, New Orleans, LA
2013 Received a travel award for NIDA Minisymposium, Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA
Teaching and Associated Activities
Teaching Assistant 2005-2006 for “Brains and Behavior” course at Michigan State University
Organizer for Brain Awareness Week 2003-2008.
Organizer for OHSU NIDA Journal Club 2012-2013.
Oregon Health & Science University Research Week Graduate Student/Postdoctoral Trainee Organizing
Subcommittee Member (2013).
Mentor for “Saturday Academy” Students at Oregon Health and Science University (2012-2014).
Research Support
Graduate: MSU Competitive Doctoral Enrichment Fellowship and NIMH, F31MH078273-02.
Postdoctoral at UA: Diversity Supplement to Dr. Handa’s RO1, MH082679.
Postdoctoral at OHSU: NIDA Training Grant T32DA007262 and OHSU Foundation Tartar Award.
Current: University at Albany start up account 420065-90.
Publications
1. Slaker, M., Churchill, L., Todd, R., Blacktop, J., Zuloaga, D.G., Raber, J., Darling, R., Brown, T., Sorg B.A.
Removal of perineuronal nets in the medial prefrontal cortex impairs the consolidation and reconsolidation of
cocaine-associated memory. Journal of Neuroscience. In Press.
2. Johnson LA, Zuloaga D.G., Bidiman E, Marzulla T, Weber S, Wahbeh H, Raber J. ApoE2 exaggerates
PTSD-related behavioral, cognitive and neuroendocrine alterations. Neuropsychopharmacology. In Press.
3. Joca, L., Zuloaga, D.G., Raber, J., & Siegel, J.A. (2014). Long-term effects of early adolescent
methamphetamine exposure on depression-like behavior and the hypothalamic vasopressin system in mice.
Developmental Neuroscience. 36:108-18.
4. Zuloaga, D.G., Johnson, L.A., Agam, M., & Raber, J. (2014). Sex differences in methamphetamine
activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Journal of Neurochemistry. 129(3):495-508
5. Zuloaga, D.G., Zuloaga, K.L., Hinds, L., Handa, R.J. (2014). Estrogen Receptor Beta Expression in the
Mouse Forebrain: Age and Sex Differences. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 522(2):358-71.
6. Zuloaga, D.G., Siegel, J.A., Agam, M., Raber, J. (2013). Developmental methamphetamine exposure results
in short- and long-term alterations in HPA axis-associated proteins. Developmental Neuroscience. 35(4):338-46.
7. Olsen, R.H.J., Johnson, L.A., Zuloaga, D.G., Limoli, C., Raber, J. (2013) Enhanced hippocampus-dependent
memory and reduced anxiety in mice over-expressing human catalase in mitochondria. Journal of
Neurochemistry. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12187.
8. Villasana L.E., Rosenthal R., Doctrow S., Pfankuch T., Zuloaga D.G., Garfinkel A.M., Raber J. (2013)
Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on associative and spatial memory of sham-irradiated and (56)Fe-irradiated
C57BL/6J male mice. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 103(3):487-493.
9. Carbone, D.L., Zuloaga, D.G., Lacagnina, A.F., Handa, R.J. (2012) Prepro-thyrotropin releasing hormone
expressing neurons in the juxtaparaventricular region of the lateral hypothalamus are activated by leptin and
altered by prenatal glucocorticoid exposure. Brain Research. 1477:19-26.
10. Carbone, D.L., Zuloaga, D.G., Lacagnina, A.F., McGivern, R.F., Handa, R.J. (2012) Exposure to
dexamethasone during late gestation causes female-specific decreases in core body temperature and preprothyrotropin-releasing hormone expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in rats. Physiology
and Behavior. 108:6-12.
11. Zuloaga, D.G., Yahn, S.L., Pang, Y., Quihuis, A.M., Oyola, M.G., Reyna, A., Thomas, P., Handa, R.J.,
Mani, S.K. (2012). Distribution and Estrogen Regulation of Membrane Progesterone Receptor-β in the Female
Rat Brain. Endocrinology 153(9):4432-43.
12. Zuloaga, D.G., Carbone, D., Handa, R.J. (2012). Prenatal dexamethasone selectively decreases calretinin
expression in the adult female lateral amygdala. Neuroscience Letters 19;521(2):109-14.
13. Zuloaga, D.G., Carbone, D., Hiroi, R., Chong, D., Handa, R.J. (2012). Perinatal Dexamethasone-induced
alterations in apoptosis within the hippocampus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus are age- and
sex-dependent. Journal of Neuroscience Research 90(7):1403-12.
14. Carbone, D.L., Zuloaga, D.G., Hiroi, R., Foradori, C., Legarie, M, Handa, R.J. (2012) Prenatal
dexamethasone exposure potentiates diet-induced hepatosteatosis and decreases plasma IGF-1 in a sex-specific
fashion. Endocrinology 153(1):295-306.
15. Zuloaga, D.G., Carbone, D., Hiroi, R., Chong, D., Handa, R.J. (2011). Dexamethasone induces apoptosis
in the developing rat amygdala in an age, region, and sex specific manner. Neuroscience 199:535-47.
16. Zuloaga, D.G., Poort, J.E., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove, S. M. (2011). Elevated Anxiety-Related Behavior
and Corticosterone Response in Rats with the Testicular Feminization Mutation. Hormones and Behavior.
60(4):380-8.
17. Zuloaga, D.G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove, S. M. (2011). The organizational role of androgens and the
androgen receptor in anxiety-related behaviors and sensorimotor gating. Endocrinology, 152(4):1572-81.
18. Sakamoto H, Takanami K, Zuloaga DG, Matsuda K, Jordan CL, Breedlove SM, Kawata M. (2009).
Androgen regulates the sexually dimorphic gastrin-releasing peptide system in the lumbar spinal cord that
mediates male sexual function. Endocrinology 150(8):3672-9.
19. McGivern, R.F., Zuloaga, D.G., Handa, R.J. (2009). Sex differences in stress-induced hyperthermia in rats:
restraint versus confinement. Physiology and Behavior, 98(4):416-20.
20. Zuloaga, D.G., McGivern, R.F., Handa, R.J. (2009).Organizational Influence of the Postnatal Testosterone
Surge on the Circadian Rhythm of Core Body Temperature of Adult Male Rats. Brain Research, 1268:68-75.
21. Handa, R.J., Weiser, M.J., Zuloaga D.G. (2009). A role for the androgen metabolite, 5alpha-androstane3beta,17beta-diol, in modulating oestrogen receptor beta-mediated regulation of hormonal stress reactivity.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 21(4):351-8.
22. Sakamoto, H., Matsuda, K., Zuloaga, D.G., Nishiura, N., Takanami, K., Jordan, C.L., Breedlove, S.M., &
Kawata, M. (2009) Stress affects a gastrin-releasing peptide system in the spinal cord that mediates sexual
function: Implications for psychogenic erectile dysfunction. PLoS ONE 4(1): e4276.
23. Zuloaga, D. G., Morris, J. A., Jordan, C.L., & Breedlove S. M., & Jordan, C. L. (2008). Mice with the
Testicular Feminization Mutation Demonstrate a Role for Androgen Receptors in the Regulation of AnxietyRelated Behaviors and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. Hormones and Behavior, 54(5):758-66.
24. Sakamoto, H., Matsuda, K., Zuloaga, D.G., Nishiura, N., Takanami, K., Jordan, C.L., Breedlove, S.M., &
Kawata, M. (2008) Sexually dimorphic gastrin releasing peptide system in the spinal cord controlling male
reproductive functions. Nature Neuroscience, 11(6):634-6.
25. Zuloaga, D.G., Puts, D.A., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove, S. M. (2008) The role of the androgen receptor in
the masculinization of brain and behavior: What we’ve learned from the testicular feminization mutation.
Hormones and Behavior, 53(5):613-26.
26. Zuloaga, D.G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove, S. M. (2008). Sexual differentiation of the brain. In Squire, L.
R. (ed) New Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Oxford: Elsevier.
27. Handa, R.J., Zuloaga, D.G., McGivern, R.F. (2007) Prenatal ethanol exposure alters core body temperature
and corticosterone rhythms in adult male rats. Alcohol. 41(8):567-75.
28. Zuloaga, D.G., Morris, J.A., Breedlove S.M., & Jordan, C.L. (2007) Androgen-sensitivity of somata and
dendrites of spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) motoneurons in male C57BL6J mice. Hormones and
Behavior. 51(2):207-12.
29. Ottem, E.N., Zuloaga, D.G., & Breedlove, S.M. (2004) Brain gender: prostaglandins have their say. Nature
Neuroscience 7:570-2.
Pending Publications
1. Zuloaga, D.G., Wang, J. Murphy, S., Raber, J. Chronic Methamphetamine prior to Middle Cerebral Artery
Occlusion Increases Infarct Volume and Cognitve Dysfunction. Submitted.
2. Zuloaga, D.G., Etzel, D., Marzulla, T., Stewart, B., Raber, J. The immediate early gene response to
methamphetamine is dependent on Light/Dark phase. In preparation.
3. Zuloaga, D.G., Johnson, L., Phan, C., Raber, J. Chronic Methamphetamine exposure results in immediate
and lasting effects on activation of cells within Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis associated brain region. In
preparation.
Selected Presentations/Abstracts
1. Zuloaga, D.G. (2013) "Methamphetamine Induced Alterations in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis".
Invited talk at Washington State University.
2. Zuloaga, D.G., Johnson, L.A., Agam, A., Raber, J. (2013). Sex differences in activation of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis by methamphetamine. Society for Neuroscience.
3. Slaker, M., Churchill, L., Todd, R., Zuloaga, D.G., Raber, J., Sorg, B.A. (2013). Impact of Perineuronal Nets
on Cocaine-Induced Plasticity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Society for Neuroscience.
4. Zuloaga, D.G., Siegel, J.A., Raber, J. (2012). The effects of developmental methamphetamine exposure on
expression of HPA axis associated proteins. Society for Neuroscience.
5. Zuloaga, D.G., Thomas, P., Handa, R.J., Mani, S. (2010). The Distribution of Membrane Progesterone
Receptors Alpha and Beta in the Female Rat Brain. Society for Neuroscience.
6. Zuloaga, D.G., Carbone, D.L., Handa, R.J. (2010). Prenatal Dexamethasone Treatment Increases Apoptosis
in Select Subregions of the Neonatal Rat Amygdala. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.
7. Zuloaga, D.G., Foradori, C.D., Handa, R.J. (2009). Apoptosis in the Neonatal Rat Ventromedial
Hypothalamus: Role of Gender and Prenatal Dexamethasone Treatment. Society for Behavioral
Neuroendocrinology.
8. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M. (2008). The organizational role of androgens and the
androgen receptor in anxiety-related behaviors and sensorimotor gating. Society for Neuroscience.
9. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M. (2008). The role of the androgen receptor in anxietyrelated behaviors, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: Studies in rodents with the testicular feminization
mutation. US/Japan Neurosteroid Symposium.
10. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M. (2007). Acoustic startle response is decreased while
prepulse inhibition is increased in neonatally castrated rats. Society for Neuroscience.
11. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M. (2007). Increased corticosterone response in mice and
rats with the testicular feminization mutation (TFM) following exposure to the open field/novel object test.
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.
12. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M. (2006). Rats with the testicular feminization show
increased indices of anxiety. Society for Neuroscience.
13. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M., (2006). Mice with the testicular feminization show
increased indices of anxiety. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.
14. Zuloaga, D. G., Morris, J. A., Breedlove S. M., & Jordan, C. L. (2005) C57BL6J mice show reduced soma
size and dendritic arborization in motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) after
castration in adulthood. Society for Neuroscience.
15. Zuloaga, D. G., Morris, J. A., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove S. M. (2005) Prepulse Inhibition is reduced in
mice with the testicular feminization mutation. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.
16. Zuloaga, D. G., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove, S. M. (2004) Distribution of perineal motoneurons in the
mouse spinal cord. Society for Neuroscience.