University of Minnesota MSTP (MD/PhD)

10/19/2026

Check out the first author paper by Jake Noeker in Current Neuropharmacology titled "Neurotransmitter receptor interactions control astrocyte Ca²⁺ signal in the basolateral amygdala".

Together, these findings demonstrate that neurotransmitter-evoked calcium signaling in BLA astrocytes exhibits receptor-specific nonlinear interactions, supporting a role for astrocytes as integrative elements within local neural circuits.

10/12/2026

Check out the co-author paper by Guldamla Kalender in Brain Stimulation titled "Cognitive state dependent enhancement of cognitive control with transcranial magnetic stimulation".

These findings demonstrate that TMS' effects on cognitive control are state-dependent, in which endogenous engagement of PFC-anchored networks can shape the magnitude and functional relevance of TMS-evoked activity and the associated modification of circuit function. Constraining cognitive states du...

10/05/2026

Check out the co-author paper by Laura Padilla in Translational Psychiatry titled "Changes in resting-state functional connectivity between large-scale brain networks after an intensive arts intervention for adolescents with depression ".

Emerging data support the benefits of creative arts interventions for addressing depression in adolescents, but the neural mechanisms are poorly understood. This study examined changes in connectivity among large-scale brain networks implicated in both depression and creativity, before and after an....

09/21/2026

Check out the first author paper by Olivia Ghirardelli Smith in Nature Immunology titled "Intratumoral T cell activation kills tumors regardless of T cell specificity ".

Immunotherapies putatively require tumor-specific T cells. Here we show how T cells can eliminate tumors without tumor specificity via paracrine signaling. Activating unexhausted bystander non-tumor-specific T cells within tumors resulted in tumor elimination without conventional recognition-depende...

09/18/2026

09/08/2026

Check out the first author paper by Melissa Walsh in Protein Engineering, Design and Selection titled "Engineering isoform-selective miniprotein binders to the fetal form of the insulin receptor".

08/28/2026

The 2026 MSTP White Coat Selfie (actually, two of them).

08/24/2026

MSTP white coats on!

08/17/2026

07/02/2026

MSTP preceptor Kate Adamala's research highlighted by the New York Times

From chemical building blocks, scientists have created synthetic cells that have most of the hallmarks of life.