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Like most graduate students, Todd Mitchell is focused on the dissertation that will eventually earn him a PhD. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is also focused on Mitchell’s work. In fact, they have presented him with the National Research Service Award, a highly competitive program that provides grant funding for predoctoral training and research. The award recognizes Mitchell’s outstanding academic record and previous training and entices him to continue contributing to the scientific field as a future independent investigator.

Mitchell’s research interests are brain imaging and neuroprotection. He uses high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to learn more about the protective effects of lithium and valproate, two drugs used for bipolar treatment. “These agents are particularly interesting, because while they have completely different chemical structures and cell signaling mechanisms, they both increase expression of the antiapoptotic/ cytoprotective protein Bcl- 2. Both drugs provide neuroprotection against toxins, but by seemingly different mechanisms,” Mitchell said. A better understanding of these pathways will be beneficial to the study of many neurodisorders including ischemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and traumatic brain injury.

Currently in his third year of graduate school in the Cellular and Clinical Neurobiology PhD program, Mitchell works in Dr. Gregory Moore’s lab where he has been able to develop and use novel applications of nuclear magnetic resonance to conduct studies related to neuroprotection and neuronal viability in animal models.

“I have high expectations for Todd and anticipate that his doctoral research will significantly advance knowledge on how medications may be utilized to protect neurons from dying in patients with devastating brain illnesses,” said Dr. Moore, director of the Brain Imaging Research Division in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. “I am particularly pleased that the National Institutes of Health chose to recognize Todd with this prestigious award. In doing so they recognize this outstanding young scientist’s past accomplishments and his potential to become a leader in his field. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to mentor him through his doctoral studies.”

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