EDUCATION:
State University of New York at Stony Brook, Department of Psychology, May 2003,
Ph.D. Biopsychology
State University of New York at Stony Brook, Department of Psychology, December
2000, M.A. Psychology
State University of New York at Stony Brook, Department of Psychology, December
1998, B.A. Psychology
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My research is focused on the application of rodent behavioral models to study
the neurobiological basis of cognition. I am interested in assessing the effects
of stress and anxiety on learning and memory processes. From the perspective
of neurobiological mechanisms, I am specifically interested in how the noradrenergic
and serotonergic systems function during both normal and stressed states to
influence behavior and cognition. In addition to these “classical” neurotransmitters,
I also study the role of neuropeptides in the effects of stress on cognition.
TEACHING:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110)
Behavioral Neuroscience (PSY 426)
Sensation and Perception (PSY 420)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
(undergraduates appear in bold)
Morilak, D.A., Barrera, G., Echevarria, D.J., Garcia, A.S., Hernandez, A., Ma, S., Petre, C.O. (2005) Role of brain norepinephrine in the behavioral response to stress. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 29, 1214-1224
Echevarria, D.J., Hernandez, A., Diogenes, A., Morilak,
D.A. (2005). Administration of the galanin antagonist
M40 in the lateral septum attenuates shock-probe/defensive
burying behavior in rats. Neuropeptides, 39 (5), 445-451.
Brewer, A., Echevarria, D.J., Langel,
Ü, Robinson, J.K. (2005). Assessment of new functional
roles for galanin in the CNS. Neuropeptides, 39 (3),
323-326.
Barrera, G., Echevarria, D.J., Poulin, J.F., Laforest,
S., Drolet, G., & Morilak, D.A. (2005). One for
all or one for one: does co-transmission unify the
concept of a brain galanin “system” or
clarify any consistent role in anxiety? Neuropeptides,
39 (3), 289-292.
Echevarria, D.J., Brewer, A., Bushell, G.,
Manuzon, H., Langel, Ü., & Robinson,
J.K. (2005). Galanin and perseveration. Brain Research,
1041 (2), 143-148.
Riha, P.D., Bruchey, A.K., Echevarria D.J., &
F. Gonzalez-Lima. (2005). Facilitation of memory by
methylene blue: dose-dependent effects on behavior
and brain oxygen consumption. European Journal of
Pharmacology, 511 (2-3), 151-158.
Echevarria, D.J., Brewer, A., Burk,
J.A., Brown, S.N., Manuzon, H., &
Robinson, J.K. (2005). Construct validity of an operant
signal detection task for rats. Behavioural Brain
Research, 157 (2), 283-290.
Abramov, U, Floren, A, Echevarria, D.J., Brewer,
A., Manuzon, H., Robinson, J.K., Bartfai,
T., Vasar. E., & Langel, Ü. (2004). Regulation
of feeding by galnon. Neuropeptides, 38(1), 55-61.
(Top 10 cited article in Neuropeptides 2004).
SELECTED
PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:
Echevarria, D.J., Hernandez, A., Morilak, D.A. Administration
of the Galanin antagonist M40 in the lateral septum
attenuates shock-probe/defensive burying behavior
in rats. Program No. 1027.4. 2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary
Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience,
2004. Online
Riha, P.D., Bruchey, A.K.,
Echevarria, D.J., Gonzalez-Lima, F. Methylene blue
improves brain oxygen consumption and memory in rats.
Program No. 210.12. 2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary
Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience,
2004. Online.
Echevarria, D.J., Brewer, A., Langel, Ü, Bartfai, T., Robinson, J.K. Galanin
and operant response alternation. Program No. 721.18. 2003 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary
Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online
Datz, G., Echevarria, D.J. The effects of intense pain on learning (encoding)
and memory (recognition) in females and males. Program No. 194.20. 2003 Abstract
Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
Echevarria, D.J., Manuzon, H., Siniakowicz, K., Saar, K., Bartfi, T., Langel,
U., Robinson J.K. (2002). A novel non-peptide galanin receptor ligand, galnon,
impairs operant delayed nonmatching-to-position performance in rats. Thirty-second
Annual Meeting for the Society for Neuroscience. Orlando, FL.
Datz, G., Echevarria, D.J. (2002). Effects of moderately intense cold pressor
pain on explicit and implicit memory; preliminary results. Thirty-second Annual
Meeting for the Society for Neuroscience. Orlando, FL.
SELECTED
INVITED LECTURES:
Echevarria, D.J. (2005). Animal models of human affect and cognition. Invited
lecture, interdisciplinary Fundamentals of Neuroscience graduate course, University
of Texas Health Science Center, May 2005.
Echevarria, D.J. (2005). Rodent models of cognition. Invited lecture, Xavier
University of New Orleans, March 2005.
Echevarria, D.J. (2005). Administration of the galanin antagonist M40 into
the lateral septum attenuates shock probe defensive burying behavior in rats.
Invited Colloquia, Texas A & M University, Texas Consortium in Behavioral
Neuroscience, February 2005.
Echevarria, D.J. (2003). Galanin and operant response alternation. Invited
lecture, Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center,
December 2003.
Echevarria, D.J. (2002). Rodent models of cognition. Invited lecture, Department
of Psychology, Kenyon College, February 2003.
Echevarria, D.J. (2002). Underrepresented minorities in Psychology (graduate
students and faculty). Invited lecture. Minorities in Psychology, State University
of New York at Stony Brook, February 2002.
Echevarria, D.J. (2000). Factors influencing detectability and bias in a two-choice
rodent signal detection task. Invited lecture, Department of Social Sciences,
Long Island University / Southampton College, November 2000.
