Lab Members

Dr. Burton is the Principal Investigator of the Neuroimmunology and Behavior (NIB) Lab. He is the Eugene McDermott Associate Professor in Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Burton received his B.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He moved to Dallas, TX to begin his postdoctoral fellowship at both UT Southwestern Medical Center and UT Dallas. He has been recognized as an early career award winner by the Endocrine Society, the American Pain Society, the American Society for Cell Biology, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and the Rita Allen Foundation.  His lab strives to traverse the gap between basic research and clinical application to patients. His goal is to continue developing his leading research program studying neuroimmune interactions and mentor highly motivated trainees at all levels.

Selected Honors and Awards

• Provost Distinguished Lecturer, Louisiana State University (2023)
• Society for Neuroscience Rising Star/SFNova Lecturer (2022)
• Fellow, Eugene McDermott Professorship (2022)
• Congressional Recognition for Science Leadership, U.S. House (2021)
• Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Fellowship (2021)
• Rita Allen Foundation Scholar (2019)
• NIH Mitchell Max Award for Excellence in Pain Research (2019)
• Keystone Symposia Fellowship (2018)

Shishu obtained his Ph.D. in Biology from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India, in 2022. His doctoral research focused on GPCR signaling, specifically exploring functional selectivity and polypharmacology. He is passionate about exploring the intricate world of neuroscience. His research is aimed at unraveling the complex neuroimmune mechanisms underlying sex differences in pain perception and finding potential therapeutic interventions. Beyond the lab, he enjoys exploring nature, photography, and cinema.

Emily received her Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences with a focus in Neuroscience from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2023. Her doctoral research investigated how keratinocytes interact with nerve fibers in the skin to initiate pain responses and produce antinociception. She is interested in studying how nonneuronal cell types interact with pain sensing neurons to initiate and contribute to pain and inflammation. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Bandit, and bearded dragon, Tad Cooper, playing dungeons and dragons, and baking.

Shevon obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with minors in Mathematics and Biology in 2019. She earned a Master of Science in Chemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas in 2021, then continued her PhD with a newfound interest in the meritorious research conducted by the Burton lab.  Her interest lies in discovering the neuroimmune and biochemical mechanisms involved in the development of alcohol-induced chronic pain.

Audrey graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Microbiology. She joined the Burton Lab as a Research Assistant/Masters Intern in the Summer of 2022. Starting the fall of 2023, Audrey will begin her matriculation in the PhD program. She is expanding her knowledge of neuroimmunology and developing the project in cannabinoid signaling. Outside of research, Audrey enjoys traveling, watching movies, and spending time with her dog, Jayne.

Lindsey finished up a Professional Science Master’s degree in Biotechnology at Texas Woman’s University and her focus in the lab is identifying biomarkers indicative of chronic pain to predict neurosurgical outcomes through wet lab experiments as well as bioinformatics data analysis and visualization techniques using Python and associated libraries. Lindsey will start the PhD program at UTD in the fall of 2023!

Frank graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Master of Science in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience in 2023. In the fall of 2023, Frank joined the Burton Lab as a lab technician. His interests lie in plastic changes mediated by addiction and neuroimmune interactions, and currently, he is working on projects investigating the role of microglia in facilitating plasticity. Outside of research, Frank enjoys working out, playing video games, and watching movies

Safa is an undergraduate student studying research neuroscience and is currently working with the lab as an undergraduate research intern. She is currently working on characterizing fibroblast and macrophage expression in the lab’s mice genetic models. Outside of the lab, she enjoys painting and hanging out with her cat, Noodle.

Olivia Reed is a third year undergraduate studying biochemistry. She joined the lab in the Summer of 2022 and  working on our pilot ethanol project, the purpose of which is to understand the mechanisms surrounding the development of allodynia influenced by casual drinking. Her interests outside of the lab include playing softball for the UTD Comets and cooking.

Sydney Lawley is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in research neuroscience and minoring in psychology. She is studying cannabinoid receptors and their effects on body systems. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, drawing, and cuddling with her dog, Maddie.

Abuzar Naqvi is a third-year neuroscience undergraduate working in the lab as an undergraduate research intern. He is working on creating and optimizing algorithms to analyze the behavior of fibroblasts. Outside of the lab, he enjoys rock climbing and building robots.

Isabela is a fourth year senior undergraduate majoring in Biology. She is assisting our cannabinoid receptor projects. During her free time she likes drawing, playing the bass and shooting film photography.

Cole Johnson is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biology and minoring in business administration. She joined the lab in summer of 2023 and has been studying cannabinoid receptors and their relationship with analgesia. Outside of the lab she enjoys playing softball for UTD and traveling.

Melissa graduated in 2023 and is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Michigan. She has authored over 13 manuscripts while in the Neuroimmunology and Behavior Lab.

Calvin Uong was a Biochemistry undergraduate student who worked in lab for two year as an Undergraduate Research Scholar and has finished working as a PostBac for a year. He is an aspiring pre-health student who participated in several club activities on campus, and is keen on expanding his knowledge in the medical field. He is working on his 1st co-first author publication exploring the effects of western diet on pain sensitization.

Calvin’s published contributions to the lab: 

Tierney, J.A.*, Uong, C.D.*, Lenert, M.E., Williams, M., Burton, M.D. High-fat Diet causes mechanical allodynia in the absence of previous injury or diabetic pathology. Scientific Reports. 2022 Sep 1:12(1). Doi 10.1038/s41598-022-18281-x. *=co-first author

Zach started in the lab in 2019 and has already co-authored several manuscripts on projects revolved around macrophage and microglia imaging. He hopes to further his education in pursuit of a PhD and a career of research. He’ll be on the PhD admissions market for Fall 2023 acceptance!

Zachary’s published contributions to the lab: 

Castillo, ZW and Burton MD. Utilizing multiphoton imaging and integrative clearing to reveal sex differences in neuroimmune interactions after nerve injury. Neural Regeneration Research. online ahead of Print Dec 2021

Szabo-Pardi, TA*, Syed, U*, Castillo, ZW, Burton MD. Use of Integrated Optical Clearing and 2-Photon Imaging to Investigate Sex Differences in Neuroimmune Interactions after Peripheral Nerve Injury.  Frontiers Cell and Developmental Biology, online ahead of Print Jan 2021. *co-first authors

Atlas of Science Piece

Thomas Szabo-Pardi graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2017 and 2022 with a BS and MS/PhD in Neuroscience, respectively. His research involved the sexually dimorphic role of Toll-Like Receptor-4  in various cell types on the development of chronic pain states. He has co-authored over 17 papers in the lab! You can catch him on the west coast as a Field Application Specialist with Sigma.

Kathy Garner came to UT Dallas to study neuroscience as a freshman in the Fall 2013, and finished her PhD in the summer of 2022. KMG was the lab’s realist and contrarian and her studies pursed sex differences in development, maintenance, and metabolic implications of chronic pain. She is now a Technical Resource Scientist with Kent Scientific.

Natalia’s project focused on how Age and Sex are important factors to an organism’s response to acute pain from surgery and the transition to chronic pain states. Natalia graduated in the summer of 2021 and is a Scientist at IGM Biosciences in “the Bay”.

Jessica Tierney received her joint BS/MS in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience from UTD in 2020, she then worked as a full-time research scientist in the lab. In total, she worked with Dr. Burton for 6 years. Jessica researched the role dietary components in the western diet play in pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.  She has started her MD/PhD program at UTMB.

Umar worked as a research assistant under Dr. Burton on projects aimed at understanding the role of aging, sex, and neuroimmune interaction in the development of neuropathic pain. He also worked on projects using methods to optically clear tissues. Umar is currently a DO candidate at KCUMB.

Umar’s published contributions to the lab: 

Szabo-Pardi, TA*, Syed, U*, Castillo, ZW, Burton MD. Use of Integrated Optical Clearing and 2-Photon Imaging to Investigate Sex Differences in Neuroimmune Interactions after Peripheral Nerve Injury.  Frontiers Cell and Developmental Biology, online ahead of Print Jan 2021. *co-first authors

Michelle was an undergraduate student who spent 3 years in the lab! She was a Clark Scholar and Undergraduate Research Scholar who worked on projects observing sex differences in diabetic neuropathy models and IBD. She is on the pre-med path.

Bethany Nottingham was an undergraduate intern for over 2 years. She earned a B.S. in Biology. She currently plans to go into psychiatry or clinical psychology to assist those with mental disorders, which correlated to the projects she worked on in the lab.

Bethany’s published contributions to the lab: 

Mody PH*, Dos Santos NL*, Lenert ME, Barron LR, Nottingham BA, Burton MD. The role of cap-dependent translation in aged-related changes in neuroimmunity and affective behaviors. Neurobiology of Aging. 2020. online Volume 98, February 2021, Pages 173-184 doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.10.014.*co-first authors

Vivien worked in the NIBlab for 2 years as an undergrad scholar and masters research intern. She conducted behavior experiments and was interested in researching the cellular role of TLR4 in response to sickness and depression. She is currently an Associate Scientist at Exelixis in California.

Hanna Abdelhadi was a neuroscience major with a minor in psychology, on the pre-med track. She was in the lab from 2021-2023. Hanna’s projects in the lab revolved around neuroinflammatory mechanisms in female reproductive health and aging. Outside of research, she enjoys traveling, piano, and painting.

Warona interned in Dr. Burton’s Lab from 2017-2019. Her project studied inflammation and sensitization related to high fat diet and pain. She is currently a resident at Parkland after graduating with her MD from UTMB.

Isaiah spent time in the Burton lab during the 2017-2018 school year. He is currently a MD/PhD Student at the University of Virginia.

Dana was on the Burton Team from 2016-2018. She worked on the multiple projects exploring the physiology of macrophages. She graduated with her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from  UT- Austin in 2023.

Kortne was an undergraduate intern in the lab for a year. She studied the regulatory role of TLR4 receptors in  neuropathic pain. Kortne is currently a Middle School Science Teacher!