Projects

Meta-Analysis of Environmental Enrichment & Cognition

Research · Doctoral Thesis In Progress 2023–present

My doctoral thesis under James Stellar at SUNY Albany uses meta-analytic methods to investigate the translational validity of preclinical rodent models of cognition. The central question: do standard laboratory housing conditions systematically bias cognitive research findings?

By comparing enrichment intervention effect sizes in rodents versus analogous interventions in humans, the analysis revealed that rodents show approximately 2.5× larger cognitive enhancement — suggesting that under-resourced housing inflates preclinical effect sizes. This has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry: neural drugs acting on the same pathways as enrichment may be systematically overestimated in preclinical trials.

Methods

• Multi-database systematic literature search
• Effect size modeling and heterogeneity analysis (R, metafor package)
• Publication bias assessment and sensitivity analyses
• Cross-species comparison of cognitive outcomes
• Moderator variable analysis

Publication in preparation

IGF-2 Review: Therapeutic Candidate for Alzheimer's Disease

Research · First-Author Publication Published 2023

First-author review paper published in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics providing a comprehensive synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) as a therapeutic and preventive agent for Alzheimer's disease. The review examines IGF-2's neuroprotective mechanisms, effects on cognition and neuroplasticity, blood-brain barrier permeability, and favorable safety profile compared to current AD therapeutics.

Citation: Fitzgerald GS, Chuchta TG, McNay EC. "Insulin-like growth factor-2 is a promising candidate for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease." CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. 2023. doi:10.1111/cns.14160

Read the full review →

Brain-wide GABAergic Interneuron Mapping

Research · Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Published in Cell 2011–2016

Contributing author on a landmark publication in Cell (Impact Factor 64.5) from Pavel Osten's lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Used serial two-photon tomography — a whole-brain imaging technique with single-cell resolution — to characterize the distribution of three types of GABAergic interneurons (PV, SST, VIP) across the entire mouse brain, both within regions and across development. The study revealed stereotyped cell-type-based cortical architecture and subcortical sexual dimorphism.

My contributions included whole-brain imaging, stereotaxic surgery, immunohistochemistry, and data collection. I also worked extensively on the CNTNAP2 knockout mouse model of autism and investigated the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in social behavior using interneuron subtype data.

Citation: Kim Y, Yang GR, Pradhan K, Venkataraju KU, Bolta M, Garcia del Molino LC, Fitzgerald G, Ram K, He M, Levine JM, Mitra P, Huang JZ, Wang XJ, Osten P. "Brain-wide Maps Reveal Stereotyped Cell-Type-Based Cortical Architecture and Subcortical Sexual Dimorphism." Cell. 2017;171(2):456-469.

Scientific Research Literacy Guide

Curriculum Completed 2024

A comprehensive 50+ page curriculum developed for my independent research mentoring practice. Designed for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students preparing for graduate school, the guide covers the full research process from hypothesis development through publication.

Topics Covered

• Study design and hypothesis development
• Literature review methodology
• Statistical inference, effect sizes, and data analysis approaches
• Critical appraisal of research literature
• Scientific writing and IRB considerations
• Publication bias and reproducibility

AI-Resistant Learning Platform

Educational Software In Development 2025

An open-source learning platform designed to address a critical problem in modern education: AI tools enabling students to complete assignments without genuine learning. Developed during my time teaching statistics at Hudson Valley Community College, the platform forces bit-by-bit engagement with reading material through required interactions, preventing students from using AI to bypass the learning process.

Core Features

• Forced incremental engagement with material — no skipping ahead
• AI-resistant assessment design ensuring genuine comprehension
• Process-oriented evaluation that values problem-solving steps
• Built as open-source educational technology

Exerkine Performance

Biotech Startup Concept Concept Stage 2021

A biotech startup concept focused on exogenous exerkines (exercise mimetics) for patients who cannot exercise due to frailty, injury, or ICU confinement. Developed a full business plan, pitch deck, and executive summary. Conducted market analysis targeting the $5B sports medicine market and ~100K ICU beds, and designed a personalized dosing algorithm concept based on individual "exerkine profiles."

Highlights

• Target market: patients unable to exercise — frail, injured, ICU-confined
• Exercise mimetic candidates: BDNF, IGF-1, irisin, cathepsin B, and other exerkines
• Personalized dosing algorithm based on individual exerkine profiles
• Market analysis: $5B sports medicine market, 100K+ ICU beds
• Pursued early-stage funding opportunities

Museum Exhibit Trackers

Web App Completed

Interactive web apps for tracking museum exhibits in the Capital Region and New York City. Features dark mode, responsive design, and JSON-powered data management.

Capital Region Museums → NYC Museums →

Troy Tree Identification Guide

Progressive Web App Completed

A PWA for identifying trees in Troy, NY. Features offline capability, searchable species database, and photo-based identification guides. Built with vanilla JavaScript, JSON data, and service workers.

Launch App →