Dr. Joshua Cordeira

Assistant Professor

Science Building 238
CordeiraJ@wcsu.edu
203-837-8940

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Cordeira earned his B.S. in Biology at Stonehill College in 2005 with a major in Biology and minor in Psychology. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Tufts University in 2012 and conducted Post-doctoral studies with Harvard Medical School. In 2014, he joined the Biology department at WestConn and hasn’t looked back since. When he’s not running around the lab, you’ll find him running around Danbury… training for his next marathon.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Dr. Cordeira has broad experience researching the biological mechanisms in the brain which regulate behavior. For his doctoral research, he examined hypothalamic control of the physiological need to eat and the reward system in the brain which promotes consumption of fattening food in-excess of dietary need. His work helped identify new therapeutic targets for prevention of metabolic disease and obesity. More recently, in collaboration with colleagues at HMS, Dr. Cordeira has focused on using sleep deprivation to model cognitive and behavioral and impairments observed in mental health disorders. Recent student-based projects have investigated: forebrain regulation of learning and memory using optogenetics; object recognition impairments caused by sleep deprivation;

environmental factors (ex. Exercise, social isolation) contributing to macronutrient choice and binge-eating and obesity.

SURF PRIMARY SETTINGLaboratory

SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED DURING FELLOWSHIP
By working with Dr. Cordeira, SURF fellows will gain the following skills: Caring for and using mice in a neuroscience laboratory; applying principles of aseptic rodent survival surgery; conducting experiments using various behavioral and optogenetic techniques; collecting, organizing, and analyzing data; reviewing and discussing primary literature; presenting results in written and oral format.

SKILLS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FELLOWSHIP IN THIS LAB
A willingness to work with mice in a research setting (online and in-person training will be provided and is required before handling animals); good hand-eye coordination; 1-2 years of experience in college-level science classes with lab; attention to detail with strong organizational and critical thinking skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work independently and in small groups; and familiarity with computer programs such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

FELLOWSHIP DATES
Contact faculty member for availability.

Program Description		Eligibility		Application		Former SURF Fellows		Faculty Mentors