Xiaoxian An, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati B.Sc. in Pharmacy, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, China Current Projects Mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of (2R,6R)-HNK. Contact Information Email: XAn[at]som.umaryland.edu Phone: (513) 828-4362 |
Research Interests
My research interests include studying the etiology and pathology of psychiatric disorders focusing on major depression. I’m also interested in exploring novel drugs/treatments to overcome the disadvantages of current antidepressants (slow onset, various side effects and inefficacy to some patients, etc). I also hope to contribute to knowledge regarding the combination of individual differences to depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication response.
Research Description
I earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from Sichuan University in China. During my undergraduate studies, I gained research experience in physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology. I later pursued my Ph.D. degree at the University of Cincinnati under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Pixley and my dissertation focused on applying biodegradable Magnesium (Mg) metal to the repair of peripheral nerve injury (Mg rocks!). As a part of candidacy exam, I was required to write a proposal completely different from my dissertation topic. I studied the long-term cognitive deficits and abuse liability of ketamine, the anesthetic used in treatment-resistant depression. I also proposed a potential mechanism of its antidepressant effects through the 5-HT2C receptor. In my spare time in Cincinnati, I volunteered with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southwest Ohio as a young adult speaker in local middle and high schools to raise awareness of mental illnesses.
My research interests include studying the etiology and pathology of psychiatric disorders focusing on major depression. I’m also interested in exploring novel drugs/treatments to overcome the disadvantages of current antidepressants (slow onset, various side effects and inefficacy to some patients, etc). I also hope to contribute to knowledge regarding the combination of individual differences to depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication response.
Research Description
I earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from Sichuan University in China. During my undergraduate studies, I gained research experience in physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology. I later pursued my Ph.D. degree at the University of Cincinnati under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Pixley and my dissertation focused on applying biodegradable Magnesium (Mg) metal to the repair of peripheral nerve injury (Mg rocks!). As a part of candidacy exam, I was required to write a proposal completely different from my dissertation topic. I studied the long-term cognitive deficits and abuse liability of ketamine, the anesthetic used in treatment-resistant depression. I also proposed a potential mechanism of its antidepressant effects through the 5-HT2C receptor. In my spare time in Cincinnati, I volunteered with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southwest Ohio as a young adult speaker in local middle and high schools to raise awareness of mental illnesses.