Lori McGrew, Ph.D.Professor of PharmacologyBiomedical Sciences Office: A327Lab: J101Phone: (304) 647-6366
Doctor of PharmacologyVanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Bachelor of BiologyGuilford College, Greensboro, NCField: Biology
Bachelor of ChemistryGuilford College, Greensboro, NCField: Chemistry
My research interests are focused on anxiolytic properties of plants and supplements. I use the zebrafish species, Danio rerio, as a preclinical model for behavioral studies. Zebrafish have well-characterized behaviors which can be used to assess the effects of exogenous compounds. I am interested in determining the effects of supplements and plant products on their behavior, particularly local Appalachian plants that have been used as traditional remedies. One benefit of using Danio rerio for these studies is the ability of the fish to absorb dissolved compounds by immersion. This eliminates the need for injection of the test compound which reduces the stress associated with treatment.
In addition to anxiety research, I have explored models of learning in zebrafish and the effects of certain treatments on learning. I would be happy to discuss related projects with interested students. I have also mentored student-led meta-analysis and literature review projects and would be happy to discuss topics of interest with student researchers.
Opportunities for Students to Work with You - Yes
1. Tan K, Savoy M, McGrew L, Wisnieski L, Gruszynski K, Babos MB. Efficacy of green tea consumption on weight loss and maintenance: a Meta-Analysis. Abstract. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 120(e), 56-57. 2020
2. Prasad A, Crowe M, Burton G, and McGrew LL. Anxiolytic Effects of Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists in the Zebrafish Species, Danio rerio. The FASEB journal 34(S1), 1-1. 2020
3. Prasad A, McCoy A, Wesley J, Thornton C and McGrew LL. Accumulating Evidence of Danio rerio’s Response to Biogenic Amines. Eastern Biologist, Special Issue 1, 75–89. 2019
4. Barton C, Williams C, Halle J and McGrew LL. Graduate and Undergraduate Faculty Collaboration Utilizing Peer Observation to Enhance Educational Opportunities for Students and Faculty: A Case Example. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning,18(3),189-211. 2018
5. Barton C, Williams C, Halle J and McGrew LL. An Interprofessional Approach to Promote Student Learning and Faculty Development in a Cadaver-Based Learning Environment. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2017
1. Kuzmich M, Fox C, Gates K, Campbell H, and McGrew L. Gender-based Trends of Neuroscience Research Projects in Rural Appalachia, Women in Medicine Summit, Chicago, IL, September 23-24, 2023
2. Kuzmich M, Fox C, Gates K, Campbell H and McGrew L, Twelve Weeks of Dance Exercise in Rural Appalachia: A Patient-Reported Outcome Measure of Long-Term Health Conditions, Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, 7th Annual Essentials of Clinical Medicine CME, Pigeon Forge, TN, June 9, 2023 – 1st place award winner
3. Azizi A, Birabara D, and McGrew L, Pharmacological effects of Crocus Sativus (Saffron) on memory and anxiety in the zebrafish species Danio rerio, Lincoln Memorial University Research Day, Harrogate, TN, April 2023
4. Birabara D, Azizi A, and McGrew L, The Effects of Delta-8-tetrahydrocannibinol on Danio rerio, Lincoln Memorial University Research Day, Harrogate, TN, April 2023
5. Perez J and McGrew L, Assessing Anxiolytic Properties of Appalachian Plants using Danio rerio, Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHAT) academic poster competition, October 2022
6. Kuzmich M, Fox C, Tunny S, and McGrew L. The Exploration of Dance Therapy as an Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases in Rural Appalachian Communities with Limited Access to Care, American Osteopathic Association-Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (AOA-OMED), Boston, MA, October 28, 2022 - 2nd place award winner
7. Cambri F and McGrew L, Dance, Gender and Appalachia Targeting Neurodegenerative Disorders Through Dance Exercise, Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHAT) academic poster competition, October 2022
8. Sherrod H and Brady J, Developing a Program of Research to Assess the Anxiolytic Properties of Appalachian Herbals in Danio rerio, Lincoln Memorial University Research Day, Harrogate, TN, April 22, 2022 – 3rd place award winner
9. Kuzmich M and Fox C, Qualitative Survey of Dance for Parkinson’s Participants in Rural Appalachia, Lincoln Memorial University Research Day, Harrogate, TN, April 22, 2022
10. Tan K, Savoy M, McGrew L, Wisnieski L, Gruszynski K, Babos MB, “Efficacy of Green Tea Consumption on Reducing Body Mass Index and Insulin Resistance: A MetaAnalysis” Experimental Biology, ASPET Division, Virtual Meeting, April 2021
11. Tan K, Savoy M, McGrew L, Wisnieski L, Gruszynski K, Babos MB. Improving rural healthcare: a Meta-Analysis on green tea’s effect on markers of insulin resistance,
Poster at: 25th Annual Meeting of The Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA of TN), Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (virtual), November 20, 2020
12. Tan K, Savoy M, McGrew L, Wisnieski L, Gruszynski K, Babos MB. Improving Appalachian healthcare: a Meta-Analysis on green tea’s effect on weight loss and maintenance, Poster at: Appalachian Day by Center of Excellence in Rural Health, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Hazard, Kentucky (virtual), October 28, 2020
13. Tan K, Savoy M, McGrew L, Wisnieski L, Gruszynski K, Babos MB. Efficacy of green tea consumption on weight loss and maintenance: a Meta-Analysis, Poster at: American Osteopathic Association-Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (AOA-OMED), Austin, Texas (virtual), October 16, 2020
14. Fayik N* and McGrew LL “The Effects of Caffeine on Anxiety in Danio rerio”, Tennessee Academy of Sciences, Collegiate Meeting, Belmont University, Nashville, TN April 2019
15. Ellis U* and McGrew LL “The Effects of Dopamine Modulators on Danio rerio”, Tennessee Academy of Sciences, Collegiate Meeting, Belmont University, Nashville, TN April 2019