Amber Michelle Asher

Graduate Student

Personal Statement:

Amber is studying the effects of cancer treatments, specifically chemotherapy, on cognition. Using a combination of sophisticated behavioral assays, electrophysiological techniques, and high-resolution imaging, Amber plans on characterizing the changes in the brain caused by different chemotherapeutic agents in hopes of testing possible therapeutic approaches. Her ultimate goal is to find a treatment for “chemobrain” or the cognitive impairments experienced by cancer survivors after chemotherapy, and eventually establish herself as a leader in the field.

Hometown: Pampa, TX
Hobbies: painting, hiking, camping, fishing, gardening, hanging out with my dogs Nova and Bubba

Education

University of Texas at San Antonio - Master of Science: Biology In progress (over 26 credit hours obtained)
Trinity University - Master of Art in Teaching: Secondary Education 2011-2012
University of Texas at San Antonio - Bachelor of Science: Biology 2004-2008

Research

neuroscience, psychiatric disorders, electrophysiology
prostate cancer, chemobrain and STEM education and outreach
Science and science education policy

Awards & Accomplishments

National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teaching Fellow – 2011-2016

Publications

Antebi, B., Asher, A., Rodriguez, L.A., Moore, R., Mohammadipoor, A., Cancio, L. (2019) Cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells regain functional potency following a 24-hour acclimation period. Journal of Translational Medicine, 17, Doi: 10.1186/s12967-019-2038-5

Rodriguez, L.A., Mohammadipoor, A., Kambucheka, R., Asher, A.M.,Alvarado, L., Cancio, L. (2019) Preconditioning in acute respiratory distress-like milieu augments the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory function of mesenchymal stem cells. Cells,8 (5). Doi: 10.3390/cells8050462.

Antebi, B., Rodriguez, L.A., Walker, K., Asher, A., Kambucheka, R., Alvarado, L., Mohammadipoor, A., Cancio, L. (2018). Short-term Physiological Hypoxia Potentiates the Therapeutic Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 9 (1), 265.Doi: 10.1186/s13287-018-1007-x.

Perez, S.M., Shah, A., Asher, A., Lodge, D. (2013). Hippocampal deep brain stimulation reverses physiological and behavioral deficits in a rodent model of schizophrenia. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 16 (6), 1331-9. Doi: 10.1017/S1461145712001344

Asher, A., Lodge, D. (2012). Distinct prefrontal cortical regions negatively regulate evoked activity in nucleus accumbens subregions. International

Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 15 (9), 1287-94, DOI: 10.1017/S146114571100143X