Natale Sciolino | CV

Personal Statement

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology & Neurobiology at the University of Connecticut. The focus of my research program is to define the connectivity and function of hindbrain norepinephrine (NE) circuits that regulate motivational processes related to feeding, reward, and emotion. We take a multidisciplinary approach to study the neurobiology of motivation using tools spanning genetic, molecular, cellular, & systems neuroscience. The goal of our research is to identify neural circuits that suppress feeding and promote goaldirected behavior, without negative side effects. While many studies have shown that locus coeruleusnorepinephrine (LC-NE) neurons promote defensive behaviors, much less is known about their contribution to appetitive and consummatory behaviors. Our research will 1) define the role of LC-NE neurons in feeding and reward 2) map their neural circuits, and 3) uncover their role in the biology and treatment of obesity, addiction, and anxiety. We use the latest advances in intersectional genetics, fiber photometry, opto-/chemogenetics, as well as cellular electrophysiology and behavioral and metabolic monitoring.

Position and Honors

Positions and Employment

2007-08 Research Assistant, Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo NY

2008-14 Doctoral Student, University of Georgia, Athens GA

2014-2020 Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sci.

2021- Assistant Professor, Physiology & Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

2021- Affiliated Faculty, UConn Institute of Systems Genomics, Storrs, CT

2021- Affiliated Faculty, Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Storrs, CT

Awards

2021-24 NIH R00 Pathway to Independence Award

2021 Guest Associate Editor, Frontiers in Neural Circuits, Deconstructing Neural Systems: From Molecular, Cellular and Circuit Properties to Behavioral Functions

2019-20 NIH K99 Pathway to Independence Award 2018 NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence

2018 New Investigator Travel Award, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior

2018 Triangle Society for Neuroscience Best Poster Presentation Travel Award

2013-14 ARCS® Foundation Award for Significant Accomplishment in Biomedical Research

2014 Herbert Zimmer Scholar Award for Outstanding Research Accomplishments, Univ. of Georgia

2013-14 Dissertation Completion Award, University of Georgia

2013 Beverly Hirsch Frank Graduate Fellowship for Exceptional Women in Science, Univ. of Georgia

2012 Marine Biological Laboratory Travel Award, Neural Systems and Behavior Course

2011 NIH Award for the Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates

2009 NIDA Travel Award, College on the Problems of Drug Dependence Annual Meeting

2009 Chancellor Award, Highest Honor for Student Excellence by SUNY School System

2008 President’s Medal, Highest Honor for Excellence in Scholarship & Service, SUNY Buffalo State

2006-07 Ronald E. McNair Scholars Post-Baccalaureate Scholar

Invited talks

2021 Hot topics in Ingestive behavior, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behaviors, Virtual

2021 Kirby Neurobiology Center, Harvard Medical School/ Boston Children’s Hospital, Virtual

2020 Physiology & Neurobiology Department, University of Connecticut

2019 Catecholamines Gordon Research Conference and Seminar, Newry, ME

2019 Emerging technologies for gut-brain research, Duke Gastronauts Summit, Durham, NC

2016 NIEHS Science Days, Durham NC 2008 SUNY Buffalo State Commencement Address, Buffalo, NY

Professional Membership

2020- Catecholamine Society

2018- Obesity Society

2017- Society for the Study of Ingestive Behaviors (SSIB)

2014- Society for Neuroscience Triangle Chapter

2007- Society for Neuroscience (SfN)

Review Service

Nature Communications, Biological Psychiatry, Current Biology, Neuropharmacology, eLife, Swiss National Science Foundation

Departmental and University Service

Communications Committee, Beckman Mentor, MARC Scholar Selection Committee, IBACS Graduate Fellowship applications

Pubblications

1. Sciolino NR, Hsiang M, Mazzone CM, Plummer NW, Amin J, Smith KG, McGee C, Fry SA, Yang CX, Powell JM, Bruchas MR, Kravitz AV, Cushman JD, Krashes MJ, Cui G, and Jensen P. A role for the locus coeruleus in the modulation of feeding. Nature Metabolism, Revision Submitted 11/29/21.

2. Tillage RP*, Sciolino NR*, Plummer NP, Lustberg D, Liles LC, Hsiang M, Powell JM, Smith KG, Jensen P, and Weinshenker D (2020). Elimination of galanin synthesis in noradrenergic neurons reduces galanin in select brain areas and promotes active coping behaviors. Brain Structure and Function, 225, 785-803 *Cofirst author. (Manuscript nominated for Brain Structure & Function Editors’ Choice award.)

3. Sciolino NR*, Plummer NW*, Chen YW, Alexander GM, Robertson SD, Dudek SM, McElligott ZA, Jensen P (2016). Recombinase-dependent mouse lines for chemogenetic activation of genetically defined cell types. Cell Reports 15, 2563-73.*Co-first author Research featured in NIH Catalyst & NIEHS Environmental Factor.

4. Sciolino NR, Smith JM, Stranahan AM, Freeman KG, Edwards GL, Weinshenker D, and Holmes PV (2015). Galanin mediates features of neural and behavioral stress resilience afforded by exercise. Neuropharmacology 89, 255-264.

5. Ogbonmwan YE*, Sciolino NR*, Groves-Chapman JL, Freeman KG, Edwards GL, Holmes PV, and Weinshenker D (2014). The galanin receptor agonist galnon attenuates cocaine-induced reinstatement and dopamine overflow in the frontal cortex. Addiction Biology 20, 701-13. *Co-first author.

6. Sciolino NR, Dishman RK, & Holmes PV. (2012) Voluntary exercise offers anxiolytic potential and amplifies galanin gene expression in the locus coeruleus of the rat. Behavioural Brain Research 233, 191-200.

7. Sciolino NR and Holmes PV (2012). Exercise offers anxiolytic-like potential: A role for stress and brain noradrenergic-galaninergic mechanisms. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 36, 1965-84.

8. Sciolino NR, Zhou W, and Hohmann AG (2011) Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling with JZL184, an inhibitor of the 2-arachidonoylglycerol hydrolyzing enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase produces anxiolytic effects under conditions of high environmental aversiveness in rats. Pharmacological Research 64,226-34.

9. Clapper J, Moreno-Sanz G, Russo R, Guijarro A, Vacondio F, Duranti A, Tontini A, Sanchini S, Sciolino NR, Spradley J, Hohmann AG, Calignano A, Mor M, and Tarzia G (2010). Anandamide suppresses pain initiation through a peripheral endocannabinoid mechanism. Nature Neuroscience 13, 1265-70.

10. Sciolino NR, Bortolato M, Eisenstein SA, Fu J, Oveisi F, Hohmann AG, and Piomelli D (2010) Social isolation and chronic handling alter endocannabinoid signaling and behavioral reactivity to context in adult rats. Neuroscience 168, 371-86. (Featured on journal cover).

Research Support

Ongoing Research Support

3/19/21 – 2/19/24

NIH R00 Pathway to Independence Award

“Defining norepinephrine locus coeruleus circuits in feeding”

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Role: PI

R00DK119586-03

Completed Research Support

8/15/19 – 12/31/20

NIH K99 Pathway to Independence Award

“Defining norepinephrine locus coeruleus circuits in feeding”

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Role: PI

K99DK11958-02

1/15/10 – 12/31/14

NIH Diversity Research Supplement

“Effects of voluntary exercise on reinstatement of cocaine seeking”

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Role: PhD Student

PI: David Weinshenker

DA027535

8/15/10 – 05/31/11

NIH Diversity Research Supplement

“An endocannabinoid mechanism for stress-induced analgesia”

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Role: Master’s Student

PI: Andrea Hohmann

DA021644