This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony for UNMC’s 2018 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award recipients.
The New Investigator Award
New Investigator Awards go to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past two years have secured their first funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense or other national sources.
New Investigators also had to demonstrate scholarly activity such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
- Name: Minglei Guo, Ph.D.
- Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience
- Joined UNMC: 2013
- Hometown: Anhui, Hefei, P.R. China
Research Focus:
- Microglia
- Neuroinflammation
- Autophagy
The goal of my research is: To explore the detailed molecular mechanisms responsible for cocaine-mediated microglial activation and the potential role of microglia in the development of drug addiction.
My research will make a difference because: Currently, most investigations have been focusing on the intro- or inter-neuronal signaling pathways that are altered by cocaine. However, the involvement of microglia in drug addiction remain very unexplored. My research will fill this gap and may identify novel targets (neuroimmune signaling) for the treatment of drug addiction
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: To make your research focused and persistent.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- Sometimes I enjoy being alone.
- I like to watch sci-fi movies.
- I like to read history books.