Carl Stevenson
Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Faculty of Science
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Biography
I received my PhD in neuroscience from McGill University in 2004. That year I also received a Marie Curie Fellowship from the EU to conduct post-doctoral research in the School of Biomedical Sciences (now School of Life Sciences) here at the University of Nottingham. In 2006 I received a Young Investigator Award from NARSAD (now Brain & Behavior Research Foundation) to continue this work. After a brief spell lecturing at De Montfort University I returned to Nottingham in 2008 to become a Lecturer in Neuroscience in the School of Biosciences at Sutton Bonington Campus. In 2018 I became an Associate Professor of Neuroscience.
Expertise Summary
In my lab we use rodent behavioural testing, systemic and central drug administration, and in vivo electrophysiology to record neuronal activity in freely behaving rodents.
Teaching Summary
I supervise final year undergraduate dissertations and I teach on various undergraduate modules in the School of Biosciences: Animal Biology (module convenor), Introductory Physiology, Animal… read more
Research Summary
Our research investigates the neurobiological basis of fear memory processing in rodents. We use pharmacological, electrophysiological, and behavioural methods to determine how the relevant neural… read more
Associate Editor, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
Local Group Representative for the British Neuroscience Association
Ad hoc reviewer for various journals and funding bodies nationally and internationally
I supervise final year undergraduate dissertations and I teach on various undergraduate modules in the School of Biosciences: Animal Biology (module convenor), Introductory Physiology, Animal Physiology & Anatomy, Essential Study Skills, Physiology of Electrically Excitable Tissues, Coordinated Physiological Functions, and Systems Neurophysiology.
Current Research
Our research investigates the neurobiological basis of fear memory processing in rodents. We use pharmacological, electrophysiological, and behavioural methods to determine how the relevant neural circuitry is involved and modulated by various neurotransmitters (e.g. dopamine, endocannabinoids) and exogenous drugs (e.g. cannabidiol). This is of interest from both the fundamental and translational research perspectives, given that understanding the neurobiology of fear memory processing may lead to novel insights on the pathophysiology and treatment of anxiety-related disorders. Most recently our research has been funded by the University of Nottingham, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and our industrial partners (Autifony Therapeutics, Artelo Biosciences). We have conducted this work in collaboration with various local, national and international research groups.
Past Research
My doctoral research investigated central dopamine system interactions in brain regions involved in cognition and emotion. Dopamine plays an important role in various aspects of behaviour and altered dopamine transmission is involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disease. I examined the relationship between dopamine neurotransmission in different brain areas in response to stress and during various types of cognitive processing.
My post-doctoral research investigated the 'programming' of later cognition, emotion and brain function by the early rearing environment. Early adversity increases the risk of developing psychiatric disease later in life. Early life is a crucial time for nervous system development and insults during this critical period can permanently alter brain function and behaviour. I examined the effects of early life stress on later emotional memory processing and brain function in areas involved in cognition and emotion.