The brain is a marvel of complexity, orchestrating every aspect of our lives. Researchers striving to decode its functions have revealed that biochemical changes in the brain correspond to a diverse range of behaviors. Natale Sciolino, an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has dedicated her career to studying neural circuits — networks of interconnected neurons that regulate various functions — and their profound influence on motivated behaviors, including anxiety and feeding. Her work focuses on the connections between the brain, behavior, and the environment.
A Surprising Path to Science
“I never planned to become a scientist,” Sciolino says. “Growing up, I always thought I’d be a teacher.”
Her initial aspiration led her to SUNY Buffalo State College in New York, which was close to home and hosted a well-regarded teaching program. After taking one transformative course in biological psychology, however, Sciolino was introduced to a whole new realm: neuroscience. This discipline fused her growing interest in psychology with a desire to understand the biological underpinnings of behavior.
“My professor’s passion for science was contagious,” Sciolino says. “It inspired me to join her lab, and I realized I wanted to pursue a career in research.”
Sciolino became especially captivated by the question of why some individuals were more vulnerable to addiction than others. Her transition from the desire to become a teacher to a neuroscientist was driven by her perceptiveness to the environment and the people around her.
“Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, I saw firsthand how addiction and mental health disorders affected so many in my community,” she says. “I wanted to understand how some people seemed resilient while others struggled.”
As an aspiring neuroscientist, she knew she needed to go to graduate school. She ended up far from home at the University of Georgia, where she worked with the guidance of pioneering cannabinoid researcher Andrea Hohmann.
Exploring Cannabinoid Systems
Sciolino delved into the role of the endogenous cannabinoids – chemical compounds produced by the body that bind with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These compounds influence critical processes such as emotion regulation, pain perception, appetite, and sleep.
Sciolino’s research focused on how environmental stressors like social isolation could alter the activity of cannabinoid receptors and endogenous cannabinoids in the brain. Her research on the biochemistry of the cannabinoid system became a cornerstone of her neuroscience career.
Unlocking the Secrets of the Locus Coeruleus
Sciolino’s research journey took a pivotal turn when she joined another Georgia research lab and began studying the locus coeruleus (LC), a tiny yet influential brain structure. Despite containing only about 1,200 neurons in each brain hemisphere of the mouse, the LC is the brain’s largest source of noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter crucial for regulating states like anxiety, attention, and arousal.
“Even though the LC is small, its neurons project to nearly every area of the brain,” Sciolino says. “It has the capacity to influence virtually all behavioral states.”
Her Ph.D. research continued under the direction of Georgia’s Philip Holmes and Emory University’s David Weinshenker. She focused on understanding how exercise could impact the activity of the LC and reduce stress levels.
She continued exploring the functions of the LC as a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the direction of Patricia Jensen, where she had access to cutting-edge intersectional viral and genetic tools to express molecules to map, monitor, and manipulate neural activity.
“At the NIH, I was like a kid in a candy store,” Sciolino says. “The tools available there made it possible to tackle questions I had only dreamed of exploring.”
In 2021, Sciolino joined UConn faculty, where she is continuing her research on the brain and behavior. Specifically, she focuses on defining noradrenaline circuits in aversion, feeding, and taste. Her work has been supported by federal and private grants, including an NIH R00 Pathway to Independence Grant and the Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant. Most recently, she received a two-year, $70,000 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant (formerly known as the NARSAD award) from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation to investigate the role of the LC in obesity-induced anxiety.
Fostering the Next Generation of Scientists
Bringing her incredible knowledge and passion for science with her to UConn’s PNB department, Sciolino has made a significant contribution to student success by fostering a collaborative and inclusive lab environment. Her love for teaching remains central to her role at UConn.
“I prioritize building an internal network with our team,” she says. She adapts her mentoring approach to suit the diverse learning styles of her students, striking a careful balance between providing guidance and encouraging independence.
By nurturing the next generation of neuroscientists, Sciolino combines her love of teaching with her commitment to advancing our understanding of the brain and behavior.
