The Marshall lab is primarily focused on understanding the neuronal mechanisms that contribute to and result from alcohol abuse. The overarching goal of these pre-clinical studies is to determine novel targets for therapy that can help individuals suffering from an alcohol use disorder. Our focus is both on alcohol-induced brain damage and excessive alcohol consumption. We study these aspects of alcohol misuse from a behavioral and neurobiological standpoint. Because alcohol abuse is so pervasive in our society, we study the interplay of alcohol across various stages of life including adolescence, adulthood, and late adulthood.

Major Research Questions

Current Projects

Current Funding

U54AA030451                                                                                                                                

1/2 Partnerships to Enhance Alcohol Research across NCCU and UNC (PEAR-NC)

The major goals of this grant are to enhance alcohol research programs at North Carolina Central University in collaboration with the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. As a part of the program, my projects are 1) to determine how astrocytic GPCR signaling in the hippocampus alters alcohol’s pharmacologic responses in models of non-dependent binge drinking and alcohol related brain damage and 2) to enhance the scientific and professional training of graduate and undergraduates students engaged in alcohol research through the Student Mentoring Core. This grant is supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

 R25DA059883

NCCU Duke - Substance Use Research & Education (ND-SURE)

The major goal of this collaborative project with Drs. Scott Swartzwelder (Duke University , PI) and Wendy Grillo (NCCU, PI), and myself (NCCU, PI)  is to establish a research experience program for undergraduate students at Duke University and North Carolina Central University focused on substance use disorders . Following the summer experience, students are supported to extend studies during the school year at their home institution. These research experiences are accompanied by didactic coursework and professional development opportunities. This grant is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

R25AA030409                                                                                                                        

Duke-N.C. Central Alcohol Research & Education (D-CARE)

The major goal of this collaborative project with Drs. Scott Swartzwelder (Duke University , PI) and Wendy Grillo (NCCU, PI)  is to establish a research experience program for undergraduate students at Duke University and North Carolina Central University . The program includes a summer experience at the neighboring institution and support to extend studies during the school year at the student’s home institution. These research experiences are accompanied by didactic coursework and professional development opportunities. This grant is supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

DP1MH132709

Precision editing of neural circuits using engineered electrical synapses

The major goals of this collaborative project with Drs. Kafui Dzirasa  (Duke University , PI)  and Julia Derk (HHMI Senior Scientist) is to bring a new approach for Long-term Integration of circuits using Connexins (LinCx). Dr. Dzirasa’s laboratory is developing novel pairs of engineered connexin hemichannels to directly modulate genetically defined neural circuits in silico and in cell culture. Before moving to the mouse, Dr. Marshall and his laboratory will determine whether the connexins hemichannels alter behavior in the high-throughput organism, C. Elegans and will help to elucidate whether there are molecular changes to the neuronal circuits in C. elegans and mouse brains after viral delivery of LinCx to their nervous systems. This grant is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health

R25MH129791                                                                                                                               

Feeding the STEM Pipeline with Neuroscientist Trained at an HBCU

This programmatic grant serves URM masters students at NCCU in a program called GLIAL (Graduate students Learning through Immersion, Application, and Leadership) Scholars. Our goal is to equip students for careers in neuroscience by providing them professional development, research, and teaching, opportunities in neuroscience. This project is led by a PI team at NCCU including Drs. S. Alex Marshall, Wendy Grillo, and Gregory Cole. This grant is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health

SC1GM139696

The Functional Implications of Astrocytic GPCR-signaling on Alcohol Abuse

The major goals of this project are to determine the impact of alcohol abuse on astrocytic function in the amygdala as well as how astrocytic targets may be influential in alcohol related behaviors. This grant is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

U01AA019925: NADIA Consortium

"Effects of Adolescent Alcohol Exposure on Hippocampal Function in Adulthood"

The major goals of this collaborative project with Dr. Scott Swartzwelder (Duke University , PI)  are to determine the persisting effects of alcohol exposure on hippocampal maladaptations as well as the mechanisms and that contribute to dysregulation. The Marshall lab contribution is to determine the effects on the neuroimmune system and the relationship of epigenetic changes that may exacerbate neuroinflammatory responses. This grant is supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Past Funding

Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity (AARG-D)

“The Functional Implications of GPCR-signaling in Aging Astrocytes.”

The major goals of this project are to determine how astrocytic GPCR signaling alters cognition and brain damage during the aging process and is supported by the Alzheimer's Association.

Center for Human Health & the Environment Pilot Program

“The comorbid effects of arsenic and alcohol abuse on hippocampal neurodegeneration”

The major goals of this project were to determine how alcohol influences arsenic absorption and toxicity and is supported by the North Carolina State University CHHE.