This is an application for an administrative supplement in response to PA-20-222: Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research. This application requests funds to support Sebastian Pace. Mr. Pace is an under-represented minority graduate student who recently finished coursework and is beginning his dissertation research in Dr. Brent Myers's laboratory at Colorado State University where he is co-mentored by Dr. Shane Hentges. The parent award examines the role of a prefrontal cortex-to-brainstem neurocircuit that may prevent the cardiovascular consequences of chronic stress. This supplemental application compliments these studies to determine both the prefrontal innervation of distinct and opposing cell groups in the brainstem as well as potential sex differences in this organization. This experience will be valuable training for Mr. Pace in a number of new techniques and conceptual approaches to further his career in health-related research.
This administrative supplement will be used to support the training of an outstanding minority scientist. The proposed project will determine the sex-specific neurocircuitry of cortical inputs to a cardiovascular regulatory region of the brainstem. These studies will support a larger project investigating potential targets for therapeutic intervention to treat stress-related cardiovascular dysfunction.