Mailing Address
235 Wellesley Street
Weston, MA 02493
About
About
Dr. Threlkeld is a Professor of Neuroscience and the Neuroscience program director at Regis College. Before to joining Regis College as the Neuroscience Program Director in 2016, Dr. Threlkeld was an Associate Professor at Rhode Island College and coordinator for the Behavioral Neuroscience program. Prior to that he was Research Associate in Pediatrics in the Perinatal Brain Research Laboratory at Women and Infants Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where he studied blood brain barrier dysfunction associated with neonatal brain injury and pathology of prematurity. He was also a teaching assistant at the University of Connecticut and has served as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Women and Infants Hospital in collaboration on NIH funded projects, , and a co-investigator and Adjunct Associate professor in collaboration with the Neurotrauma and Brain Barriers lab in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rohde Island Hospital, in Providence, RI. Dr. Threlkeld has a long history engaging undergraduate students in high impact Neuroscience research and teaching. He has developed over a dozen neuroscience courses, and minor and major programs at two Universities and is committed to inclusive excellence in teaching. He is also the faculty advisor for the Regis College Brain Sciences Association, a campus organization dedicated to brain health and science education and outreach.
Research Grants Secured
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), Work force Development Capital Grant Program.
Provided funds for science equipment and renovations to the science building for STEM and Neuroscience related programing. Total funding: ~748,000.00. 2024-2025.
Neuroscience component: Utilize new equipment to facilitate advanced training in neuron culture. Dr. Threlkeld will develop hippocampal slice preparation cultures to be used in the introductory neuroscience lab.
Principle Investigators: Willems (STEM)
Co-investigators: Threlkeld (Neuro), Hogan (STEM), Xiao (STEM), Niu (STEM)
Goal: Increase high demand life science student training in techniques using brain tissue preparations.
Competitive Renewal. Neonatal brain injury: Mediating factors for improved neurobehavioral outcome. NIH 2-R15HD077544, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. $275,000.00. 2018-2023.
Principal Investigator: Threlkeld
Goal: Assess the relationship between neonatal Hypoxic-ischemic injury (common pathology of premature birth in humans. Prevalence, 1 in 100 live births), Inter-alpha inhibitor protein treatment and experience dependent neuronal plasticity across juvenile and adolescent developmental windows on recovery of function.
Neuroprotection in TBI with a new multifunctional peptide-based therapeutic. NIH R01NS094440, from the National Institutes of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. $130,350.00. 2016-2022.
Co PIs: Marshall (Brown University) and Chodobski (Rhode Island Hospital)
Co-Investigator: Threlkeld
Goal: Assess the ability of CN2097 to reduce neocortical cell death and improve function in a translational model of traumatic brain injury (There is currently no drug treatment available for TBI).
Neonatal brain injury: Mediating factors for improved neurobehavioral outcome.
NIH 1R15HD077544, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. $329,762.00. 2013-2017.
Principal Investigator: Threlkeld
Goal: Assess the relationship between neonatal Hypoxic-ischemic injury, Inter-alpha inhibitor protein (anti-inflammation) treatment and experience dependent plasticity on recovery of function.
Anti-inflammatory intervention and neurobehavioral outcome in neonatal ischemia. RI-INBRE Award # P20RR016457-11 from the NIH, National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). $267,690.00. 2011-2013.
Principal Investigator: Threlkeld
Goal: Assess the ability of Inter-alpha inhibitor proteins to reduce cell death and facilitate recovery of function in a translational model of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.
Education
Postdoctoral Training
Research Associate in Pediatrics, Perinatal Brain Research, Women & Infants’ Hospital, The Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, December 2008 – August 2010
Degrees Earned
- Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
- M.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
- B.A. in Psychology, University of Portland, Portland, OR.
Courses Taught
- NEU 201: Introduction to Neuroscience
- PS 233: Introduction to Human Development
- NEU 322: Sensory Systems and Perception
- NEU 324: Drugs, Brain and Behavior
- NEU 325: Social Neuroscience
- NEU 327: Molecular Neuropathology
- NEU 403: Neuroscience Research I
- NEU 404: Neuroscience Research II
Philosophy
Dr. Threlkeld’s research centers on understanding the anatomical and behavioral consequences of disrupted forebrain development resulting from injury or teratogenic events and how early behavioral experience or pharmacological intervention can improve outcome and promote neuronal plasticity. Current projects involving undergraduate students at Regis include investigations into the role of inflammation in pathogenesis of neonatal hypoxia/ischemia, behavioral outcome and behavioral and pharmacological intervention strategies. A second line of work is focused on the consequences of mild traumatic brain injury and anti-inflammatory treatment approaches on learning, auditory sensory processing and neuroanatomical outcomes in rodent models.
Whether in the classroom or in the laboratory, Dr. Threlkeld maintains a deep commitment to academic excellence, student engagement and support. Specifically, Dr. Threlkeld strives to make myself accessible to students who need individualized assistance, while taking full advantage of web based academic tools for the management and accessibility of course content. In addition, in keeping with the Regis commitment to service, Dr. Threlkeld has developed unique assignments and experiential learning opportunities aimed at student outreach (NEU 201, brain awareness week outreach project, academic research opportunities, and field experiences), and on and off campus activities (Regis Children’s center brain awareness day, annual trip to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource center), that allow students to see the application and boarder impact of their academic experience. These experiences and resources ensure that Regis Neuroscience majors can rise to new heights in pursuit of their professional and career goals.
Awards Honors
Neonatal brain injury: Mediating factors for improved neurobehavioral outcome. NIH 2R15HD077544, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. $275,000 (three year total costs). 2018-2021
Principle Investigator: Threlkeld
Neuroprotection in TBI with a new multifunctional peptide-based therapeutic. NIH RO1, Form the National Institutes of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. 130,350.00 (five year total costs). 2017-2021
Co PIs: Marshall (Brown University) and Chodobski (Rhode Island Hospital)
Co-Investigator (Sub-award Regis College): Threlkeld
Neonatal brain injury: Mediating factors for improved neurobehavioral outcome. NIH R15HD077544, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. $329,762 (three year total costs). 2013-2017
Principle Investigator: Threlkeld
Anti-inflammatory intervention and neurobehavioral outcome in neonatal ischemia. RI-INBRE Award # P20RR016457-11 from the NIH, National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). $267,690 (two year total costs). 2011-2013
Principle Investigator: Threlkeld
Publications
Threlkeld SW., Morales Cestero E*., Marshall J., Szmydynger-Chodobska J., Chodobski A. (2022). Deficits in Acoustic Startle Reactivity and Auditory Temporal Processing After Unilateral Traumatic Brain Injury. 3(1):207-216. Neurotrauma Reports. https://doi.org/10.1089/neur.2021.0077.
Bennett M*, Chin A, Lee HJ, Morales Cestero E*, Strazielle N, Ghersi-Egea JF, Threlkeld SW, Schmidt TA, Richendrfer HA, Szmydynger-Chodobska J, Jay GD, Chodobski A. (2021). Proteoglycan 4 Reduces Neuroinflammation and Protects the Blood-Brain Barrier after Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma. 15;38(4):385-398. doi: 10.1089/neu.2020.7229
Bradford A, Hernandez M*, Kearney E*, Theriault L*, Lim YP, Stonestreet BS, Threlkeld SW. (2020). Effects of Juvenile or Adolescent Working Memory Experience and Inter-Alpha Inhibitor Protein Treatment after Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia. Brain Sci.10(12):999. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10120999.
Threlkeld, SW, Maddox, S., James, B. T*., & Jacobs-Brichford, E*. (2019). Translating animal models into empirical foundations for practice. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 5(3), 219-221. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/tps0000201.
Disdier C., Chen X., Kim JE., Threlkeld SW., Stonestreet BS. (2018). Anti-cytokine therapy to attenuate ischemic-reperfusion associated with brain injury in the perinatal period. Brain Science 8(6). E101. doi: 10.3390/brainsci8060101.
Marshall J., Szmydynger-Chodobska J., Bioult-Pedotti M.S., Lau K., Chin AT., Kotla SKR., Tiwari RK., Parang K., Threlkeld SW., Chodobski A. (2017). TrkB-enhancer facilitates functional recovery after traumatic brain injury. Science Report 7(1):10995. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11316-8.
Threlkeld S.W., Lim Y.P., La Rue M., Gaudet C., Stonestreet B.S. (2017). Immuno-modulator inter-alpha inhibitor proteins ameliorate complex auditory processing deficits in rats with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Brain, Behavior and Immunity [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.03.004.
Gaudet C.M*., Lim Y.P., Stonestreet B.S., Threlkeld S.W. (2016). Effects of Age, Experience and Inter-alpha Inhibitor Proteins on Working Memory and Neuronal Plasticity after Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia. Behavioral Brain Research 302: 88-99.
Threlkeld S.W., Gaudet C.M*., LaRue M.E*., Dugas E*., Hill C.A., Lim Y.P., Stonestreet B.S. (2014). Effects of inter-alpha inhibitor proteins on neonatal brain injury: age, task and treatment dependent neurobehavioral outcomes. Experimental Neurology, 261C:424-433.
Penley S.C., Gaudet C.M*., Threlkeld S.W. (2013). Use of an eight-arm radial water maze to assess working and reference memory following neonatal brain injury. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 82:50940.
Threlkeld S.W., Hill C.A., Szalkowski C.E., Truong D.T., Rosen G.D., Fitch R.H. (2012). Effects of test experience and neocortical microgyria on spatial and non-spatial learning in rats. Behavioral Brain Research. 235(2): 135-5.
Threlkeld S.W., Lynch J.L., Lynch K.M., Sadowska G., Stonstreet B.S., Banks W.A., (2010). Ovine pro-inflammatory cytokines cross the murine blood brain barrier by a common saturable transport mechanism. Neuroimmunomodulation, 17(6):405-410.
Threlkeld, S.W., Hill, C.A., Cleary, C., Troung, D., Rosen, G.D., Fitch, R.H., (2009). Developmental learning impairments in a rodent model of nodular heterotopia. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 1(3): 237-250.
Threlkeld, S.W., Hill, C.A., Rosen, G.D., Fitch, R.H., (2009). Early acoustic discrimination experience ameliorates auditory processing deficits in male rats with cortical developmental disruption. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 27(4), 321-328.
Threlkeld, S.W., Penley, S.C., Rosen, G.D., Fitch, R.H., (2008). Detection of silent gaps in white noise following cortical deactivation in rats. Neuroreport, 19 (8): 893-8.
Threlkeld, S.W., McClure, M. M., Bai, J., Wang, Y., LoTurco, J.J., Rosen, G.D., and Fitch, R. H., (2007). Developmental Disruptions and Behavioral Impairments in Rats Following In Utero RNAi of Dyx1c1. Brain Research Bulletin, 71(5): 508-14.
