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    Benjamin R. Klein, B.A.

    Medical Student
    The University of Toledo College of Medicine

    Alumni of Miami University (OH) where I spent my time building a service organization, playing D3 club ice hockey, and participating in neuroscience research. My research interests involved discerning how different chemical substances impact neural motivation and reward pathways. Here, I received a research award for my work exploring the interplay between mesolimbic and serotonergic pathways in relation to amphetamine use via chemogenetic rodent models. I also recieved an award for research exploring pain modulating pathways in relation to the periaqueductal grey (PAG) via chemogenetic rodent models.
    After graduating, I accepted an Intramural Research Training Award from the NIH to be completed in the Addiction Biology Unit of the Medicinal Chemistry section at the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). I performed stereotaxic rodent surgeries for optogenetic and chemogenetic viral vector implementation in brain regions of interest to explore how novel medications effect drug-seeking behavior. I was further trained in jugular catheter surgery for rodent drug self administration paradigms, RNAscope, immunohistochemistry and more.
    Currently I am a 3rd year medical student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Although still participating in basic science studies researching neural pathways implicated in addiction, I have been able to expand my research interests into the field of neurosurgery since this time with a focus on spine and education topics. Further, I have enjoyed non-profit endevaors as an apointee to the Executive Board of Directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters Northwest Ohio and playing adult league hockey in my free time.

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

    Presentation(s):