CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

CAITLIN FRIESEN, PHD

Post-doctoral research associate

I was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta where I completed my B.S. in Biology. I moved to Montreal, Quebec to complete my M.S. and developed an interest in the hormonal basis of social behavior. When I moved to Austin, Texas to complete my Ph.D. in Integrative Biology, I became more interested in how neural mechanisms, hormones, and social context contribute to variation in social behavior. This interest brought me to GSU to work as a postdoctoral researcher in the Petrulis – de Vries lab where I will be examining how the vasopressin system modulates social behavior and the impact of sex differences on this neural control. At a broader level, this work contributes to our understanding of how sexually dimorphic neurobiology can translate to a diversity of social behaviors and responses. When I’m not working on research, I enjoy biking outdoors, painting, reading, and listening to music. https://caitlinfriesen.com/

DELENN HARTSWICK (THEY/THEM/THEIRS)

PhD student

I am from Akron, Ohio, and I completed my B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology at Baldwin Wallace University near Cleveland, Ohio. During my undergraduate studies, I found an interest in sex differences, behavior, and the interaction between structure and function. My work in the Petrulis-de Vries lab is mostly focused on tracing V1aR cell inputs and outputs and studying their impact on social behavior in male and female mice. Overall, I wish to improve a broader understanding of biological sciences with a special interest in improving the lives and medical care of transgender and intersex people. I am passionate about teaching, outreach, and facilitating diversity in STEM. In my free time, I like to sing, travel, watch horror movies, play video games, and talk about my guinea pigs and niece.

PHILIP KINDLER

PhD student

After a childhood in New England, undergrad in Iowa, and a postbaccalaureate at the NIH, I was thrilled to find a grad-school home in the Petrulis - De Vries Lab. As a Neuroscience PhD student, I am interested in the neuropeptide vasopressin and its role in aggression, dominance behavior, and sex differences. In my free time, I enjoy bird watching, playing card games, and rescuing houseplants.

NICHOLAS SCHAPPAUGH

PhD student

I am a Georgia local and a 2016 graduate of Georgia Tech, where I researched genetic effects on behavior in a variety of model organisms, after which I spent several years as a technician in the field of neuroscience before beginning my PhD here at GSU. My primary interest at the moment is in understanding the functional connectivity behind sex differences in behavior. My work focuses on anatomical expression of vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) in various targets of sex-different vasopressin, as well as an examination of V1aR+ cell activity during social behavior, specifically in the lateral septum, using fiber photometry and optogenetic tools. When I’m not in the lab, I typically enjoy social dancing with various groups in Atlanta, as well as running my PhD cohort’s regular Dungeons and Dragons game.

JAY ABRAHAM

Masters Student

I'm originally from the Northern VA/DC metro area, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson HSST in 2022. I completed my B.S. in neuroscience at Georgia State University in 2025, and am working on my M.S. in neuroscience as part of GSU's dual degree program. Currently, I'm studying sex differences and the impact of vasopressin on social behavior on brainwide neural circuitry, using whole-brain tissue clearing and immunolabeling. Outside of the lab, you can find me birding, playing video games, and going on adventures around the city.

SABA HOSSEINI

Masters Student

I earned my B.S. in Biotechnology in Tehran, Iran. Motivated by a strong interest in neuroscience and a curiosity about the biological basis of human behavior and the effects of hormones on that, I joined the Petrulis – de Vries Lab as a Research Assistant. My current work focuses on understanding the function of V1aR-expressing cells in the lateral hypothalamus, a major integrative brain region. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, traveling, cooking, and spending time with my family and loved ones

ARKAR ZAW

Research Technician

I was born and raised in Myanmar (Burma), where I completed high school before moving to Atlanta, USA, in 2021 to pursue my undergraduate studies in Biology at Georgia State University. While working toward my bachelor’s degree, I joined the Petrulis-de Vries lab, working closely with Nick on RNAscope and tracing projects. After graduating in 2024, I was hired as a Laboratory Technician, where I manage the mice colony, contribute to multiple research projects, handle lab maintenance, and take care of ordering supplies. Alongside these responsibilities, I lead my own project studying the neuroanatomical and functional characterization of lateral hypothalamic vasopressin 1a receptor-expressing cells in mice. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching football (soccer) matches and playing Football Manager game. I also like to torture myself by supporting the infamous Manchester United who manage to lose almost every week.

TOBENNA OBI

Post-baccalaureate student

While I spent my childhood in Nigeria, I later moved to Georgia where I attended Agnes Scott College and completed my B.S in Neuroscience. As an undergraduate, I gained an interest in the functions of the nervous system, especially in regard to its dysfunctions in neuropsychological disorders. As a research assistant at Petrulis-de Vries lab, I currently study the effects of vasopressin receptors on mice's social behavior, specifically analyzing their recorded behavior through computational means such as the software SLEAP and SimBA. When I'm free, I enjoy listening to music, drawing, cooking, and casually wandering around until something else sparks my attention.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Luca Alvarez

Tala Budeir

Liam Dalton

Tammy Joseph

Tariq Omar

Trinity Shaw

Mahek Virani