Todd C. Peterson

My general interest in neuroscience began in an introductory like brain and behavior. From there I began to explore the relationship between the environment and the central nervous system while volunteering in Dr. Rodney Swain's laboratory at UWM, where I fell in love with science. From there I decided to pursue a Masters degree in Behavior Analysis with Dr. Swain where we used behavioral analytic techniques to examine the cerebellar role in complex behaviors.

During my time in the military I became very interested in traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and how the brain responds to neural insult. This led me to get my doctoral degree at SIU with Dr. Michel Hoane where we examined the effectiveness of several neuroprotective compounds in preclinical trials of traumatic brain injury.

Following my doctoral degree, I wanted to receive more training in cellular and molecular neuroscience so that I could put all of the pieces together. I joined Dr. Marion Buckwalter's laboratory at Stanford University as a postdoc to study the neuroinflammatory response to stroke. With this diverse training background I recently started my own laboratory where we examine the cellular, molecular, and behavioral responses to neural injury like traumatic brain injury or stroke.

On a personal level, I grew up in the Midwest, but I have quickly been adapting to the beach lifestyle in Wilmington, NC. When I am not working vigorously in the laboratory, I enjoy many sports including long distance running, volleyball, snowboarding, and most water sports (wakeboarding, kiteboarding, and surfing).

Education

Stanford University, Stanford, CA
School of Medicine
Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurology and Neurological Sciences, June 2013 – Aug 2018
Advisor: Dr. Marion S. Buckwalter, M.D., Ph.D.
Research Topic: Obesity-induced neuroinflammation after stroke

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Carbondale, IL
Ph.D., Psychology, May 2013
Major: Brain & Cognitive Sciences
Specialization: Behavior Analysis
Advisor: Michael R. Hoane, Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: A Combination Therapy of Nicotinamide and Progesterone for Functional Recovery Following Traumatic Brain Injury

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
M.S., Psychology, August 2010
Major: Behavior Analysis
Advisor: Rodney A. Swain, Ph.D.
Thesis Title: Behavior Modification Following Inactivation of Cerebellar Dentate Nuclei

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
B.A., Psychology, December 2006
Thesis Title: A Qualitative Review of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Specialization in Teaching

Undergraduate and Graduate Neuroscience Courses

Research Interests

Relatively permanent changes to the nervous system occur in response to environmental conditions imposed upon an organism, including stimulus characteristics, behavioral processes, or neural insult. I am interested in the response of the central nervous system to insult, specifically traumatic brain injury or stroke. These types of injury are two of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, for which there are few effective treatments.

One of the major consequences of neural insult is neuroinflammation. This cascade can be both beneficial and detrimental, and there is much to be learned about the dynamics of this complicated response. It is characterized by increases in pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte invasion, blood-brain barrier permeability, and glial activation. Astrocytes and microglia are glial cells that are activated following injury and have been shown to regulate the immune response. I am interested in elucidating the multicellular neuroinflammatory response in hopes of developing therapeutic treatments for central nervous system damage.

Professional Service

University of North Carolina – Wilmington
• Faculty Fellow for The Center for the Support of Undergraduate Spring 2021-present
Research and Fellowships (UNCW)
• Calendar Committee (UNCW) Fall 2020-present
• Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee (UNCW) Fall 2020-present
• Chair - Senate Steering Committee for Evaluations (UNCW) Spring 2020-present
• National Institute of Health Mock Review Panel Committee (UNCW) Fall 2018-present
• Neuroscience Minor Steering Group (UNCW) Fall 2018-present

Grant Proposal/Manuscript Peer Review

• Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program Fall 2023-present
o Trauma Immunology Award
• Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Fall 2023-present Programs
o Targeted Therapy program for Traumatic Brain Injury
and Psychological Health Research Program
• National Science Foundation Reviewer Fall 2021-present
o Graduate Research Fellowship Program-Neuroscience
• National Institute of Health Early Career Reviewer Program Fall 2020-present
o Cellular and Molecular Immunology-A
• Frontiers in Neurology, Stroke Spring 2021-present
• Brain Research
o Direct independent request from editor Summer 2016
o Assisted PhD adviser Summer 2012
• Journal of Neurochemistry
o Assisted postdoctoral adviser Spring 2015
• Circulation Research
o Assisted postdoctoral adviser Fall 2014
• Glia
o Assisted postdoctoral adviser March 2014

Community Engagement

2023-present Honor Foundation. A career transition program for U.S. Special Operations Forces to translate their elite military service to the private sector to create the next generation of corporate and community leaders.
2021 - present Cape Fear Surfrider Foundation - Carolina Beach Renourishment Program. Prevent erosion of dunes and reduce spending on beach renourishment, helps build natural habitats protects ocean front property, and divert old trees from landfill.
2021 - 2022 Education Without Walls, Fundraising Committee Member. We raised over $48,000 in 2021 for the 2022 education cycle. A non-profit year-round program designed to help motivated teens achieve academic and personal goals.
2020 – present Life Rolls on, They Will Surf Again, sponsored by Ocean Cure. With adaptive equipment and thousands of dedicated volunteers, They Will Surf Again empowers people living with paralysis to ride a wave – blowing away physical boundaries.
Summer 2019-2020 STEAM Team Faculty Summer Program (paid). STEAM team is a weeklong residential summer program hosted by UNCW for underserved ninth and tenth grade students recruited from New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties.
2020 – 2021 Martin GT Magnet Middle School, Invited lecture. Lectured to 7th grade students about adolescent brain development, the effects of entertainment screen time on the plasticity and of the prefrontal cortex, the limbic system, and the developing neurons.
2018 – 2019 E. A. Laney High School, Graduation Project for Emma Moore, Advisor. Assisted with high school graduation project titled “Role of Motor Skill Learning on Memorization Using Video Games” completed by Emma Moore.

Honors & Awards

Achievements/Acknowledgements
• Army Achievement Medal 2004
• Army Commendation Medal 2004
• Army Good Conduct Medal 2004
• Iraq Campaign Medal 2004
• War on Terrorism Service Medal 2004
• National Defense Service Medal 2004
• Army National Guard Achievement Medal 2004

Scholarships
Young Investigator’s Educational Enhancement Award March 2016
Funding body: American Society for Neurochemistry
Sponsor: Marion S. Buckwalter, M.D., Ph.D.

National Neurotrauma Society Travel Award August 2013
Funding body: National Neurotrauma Society
Sponsor: Michael R. Hoane, Ph.D.

Alfred Lit Memorial Scholarship Award August 2010
Funding body: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Carbondale, IL
Sponsor: Michael R. Hoane, Ph.D.