Adrianna J. Milton, PhD, a postdoc in molecular and systems biology, studies how neural circuits connect the gut and brain using zebrafish models. Newly elected co-president of the Dartmouth Postdoc Association, she combines cutting-edge neuroscience research with a strong commitment to mentorship, wellness, and building postdoc community.
What do you consider your hometown, and how has it shaped who you are today?
I am a Floridian and consider the entire state my home. I was born in Tallahassee and raised in an area known as Homestead (pretty much Miami!). My family is scattered throughout cities like Ocala, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
I grew up immersed in countless cultures and I love that I am able to honor my diverse upbringing here in the Upper Valley. I really appreciate meeting people and learning about their interests, goals and passions.
I credit growing up in South Florida for my ability to be open-minded which allows me to find a common interest with everyone I meet.
I also thrive on creative artistic expression, particularly through fashion, good food, and even better conversation. I can be found frequently either sharing a meal with colleagues or conversing over a fandom based on a cool tee-shirt!
Can you tell us about your current research at Dartmouth and what excites you most about it?
After receiving my PhD in Neuroscience, I moved in 2023 to work with zebrafish in the laboratory of Dr. Marnie Halpern. My colleagues and I generate novel transgenic Gal4- or QF2-driver lines, and UAS- or QUAS-reporter lines for fluorescently mapping neural circuits by introducing transcription factors and fluorescent proteins into specific subsets of neurons.
Zebrafish are a powerful model for mapping neural circuits and functional assays due to the rapid availability of transparent embryos and larvae which can be imaged live on microscopes, and genetic amenability. I am now applying an anterograde and a retrograde trans-synaptic tracing approach(es) to reveal the connectivity within the retina, spinal cord, and the gut-brain axis, specifically between the gut epithelium and the vagus nerve.
My goal is to begin generating a rostro-caudal spatial map of the sensory enteroendocrine cells lining the zebrafish gastrointestinal tract, and their postsynaptic vagal afferent targets within the nodose ganglia. I am most excited to augment our understanding of the impact of sensory signals derived from different regions of the peripheral gut lumen on subsequent behaviors and homeostatic responses.
What is your academic background? Where did you complete your graduate studies, and what led you to pursue a postdoc?
I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a minor in biological science from Florida State University in 2014. During my junior and senior years, I worked as a research assistant in a neuroscience taste research laboratory that used rats and mice, and on a psychology study that tested the correlation between emotion and short-term memory using students at the university.
From 2014-2015 I conducted research at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Center for Addiction Research as a Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program scholar. Here, I co-authored two papers using a mouse model of obesity, and a rat model of cocaine abuse. In 2022, I completed my PhD at Case Western Reserve University. My thesis examined the return of forelimb function following an incomplete rat model of chronic spinal cord injury following the systemic perturbation of the extra-cellular matrix.
My next goals for my academic career were to secure a postdoc position where I could improve my skills in fluorescent imaging using a different model organism, scientific writing and communication, grant applications, and teaching.
What inspired you to pursue a postdoc position at Dartmouth?
I decided to accept a postdoc position based on the access to many opportunities and resources, such as the Learning Community for Future Faculty (L.C.F.F.) in the Dartmouth Center for Advancement of Learning (D.C.A.L.). I have had the advantage of working directly with the Grant Proposal Support Initiative (Grant G.P.S.) to learn the ins-and-outs of the grant application process and how to write a competitive research proposal.
I have had the privilege of attending seminars, symposiums, and retreats to network with researchers who have accomplished my current goals in academia. Several have agreed to serve on my postdoc mentoring committee, with each person guiding me in the acquisition of skills in areas including teaching and scientific communication.
I was also drawn to the Upper Valley’s unique display of diversity and inclusion, as well as the college’s commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing for the staff, faculty, and students. I am grateful for the professional and personal supportive community amongst my colleagues at Dartmouth.
As a member of the Dartmouth Postdoc Association’s executive board, what motivated you to get involved, and what do you hope to accomplish in this role?
As recently elected co-president of the Dartmouth Postdoc Association’s executive board, I am looking forward to establishing more collaborations across our campus to expand the repertoire of events offered to all postdocs and their families. I realize that networking opportunities within and outside academia are important to our overall well-being and success as postdocs.
While I am passionate about my research, I notice that my work is strengthened through connections made outside of the traditional laboratory or seminar settings. Social gatherings based on common interests are critical for creating and maintaining systems of support across the campus which is a monumental benefit to everyone. As recently elected co-president, I hope I will be able to continue offering mindfulness-focused events throughout the year to all postdocs in collaboration with offices invested in the Wellness at Dartmouth Initiative.
What are some key skills or experiences you’ve gained during your postdoc that you think will be valuable in your next career step?
My most valuable advice at the moment would be to take advantage of every opportunity! I regularly check my emails, subscribe to several campus newsletters, and add event alerts to my calendar so that I am organized and notified of events. I RSVP accordingly and I attend every event with total focus on getting as much out of the experience as possible.
I believe the immediate value of knowing my peers on a personal level, and my next career goals will utilize my skills for encouraging others to arrive as their full, authentic selves. By prioritizing genuine relationships and staying organized with my schedule, I will continue to become a more effective mentor, S.T.E.M. educator, and wellness ambassador.
What are your career goals after your postdoc?
In the future I aspire to bring together my two passions, neuropsychology research and classroom teaching. In addition to mapping the sensory connectivity within the gut-brain axis in zebrafish, I aim to conduct research in the classroom to understand and improve student learning in S.T.E.A.M. courses. Through this research, I will demonstrate the value of incorporating mindfulness-based practices in the traditional academic learning environment.
Research on meditation practitioners, such as monks, show development of traits like resilience and curiosity through frequent self-reflection facilitate exploration of learning strategies, leading to feelings of personal achievement and professional success. I believe it is the duty of course instructors/mentors in biomedical laboratories to co-create a safe and inviting learning environment with their students/trainees.
In this way, I will be able to directly bridge two branches of academia by applying information gathered from neuropsychological studies to inform future research on the impacts of mindfulness in education. By strategically delivering S.T.E.A.M. content, the retention rate of students in these fields will improve and increase the number of college graduates and graduate school applicants.
Which resources, career support programs, or professional development opportunities at Dartmouth have been most valuable to you, and how have they impacted your experience?
During my first year on the DPA board we organized a panel of faculty who were newly hired at Dartmouth. Three faculty shared advice and answered questions about establishing a new research space as early-career investigators. I learned from each of the faculty how different the hiring process can be across departments, and obligations once you have arrived on the campus.
Additionally, I gained insight on strategies for recruiting students, interviewing technicians, and ways to utilize the budget while applying for grants. The most valuable result of this panel session was the connection I made with one of the faculty members who teaches a neurobiology undergraduate course that complements my research interests. We set up a meeting and I was invited to give my first guest lecture based on a manuscript of my choosing. This experience also provided a chance to receive feedback on my teaching from the students. I am grateful and fortunate to have genuine support from the faculty mentors I have curated at Dartmouth.
Beyond research, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in the Upper Valley?
My main home hobbies are reading or listening to books, podcasts, and playing video games. I love animals and own a dog, a cat, a bearded dragon, frogs, fish, and way too many plants.
I am a karaoke enthusiast, but I am not a fan of the cinema. At least once a month I visit Molly’s after work with friends for their $3 margaritas. I adore the performing arts and have attended two local school plays, one starring the kids of a postdoc in my lab.
Despite being from Florida, I do not mind the snow. In fact, I enjoy taking mindful walks around the campus and listening to the sound of soft, crunchy footsteps. I practice meditation avidly, and I write prolifically for 30 minutes everyday! You can find me reading or writing in the McGill Lounge on Remsen 3rd floor, Still North (a favorite for lunch meetings and happy hour!), or the rooftop of Anonymous.
Lastly, I am skilled at copper wire-wrapping jewelry using crystals to make necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets!
