Degree Program at FSU: PhD
Major Professor: Dr. Mike Overton

Education:

2005-2008 (present) Ph.D. candidate, Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
2003-2005 M.S., Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
1999-2002 B.A., Psychology, Minor: Gender Studies, Magna cum laude, Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland

Research Interests:

My current research is focused on uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying the capacity of estradiol to modulate energy expenditure and on further delineating the impact of estradiol-mediated behavioral and physiological actions that are protective against the development of obesity.

In the Overton lab, we investigate mechanisms by which reduced energy consumption (caloric restriction) leads to significant reductions in blood pressure and sympathetic activity. We are able to chronically instrument rats and mice to assess cardiovascular status while manipulating caloric intake and ambient temperature. CNS lesions and microinjection strategies are also employed to evaluate specific neuroanatomical and neurochemical substrates which modulate blood pressure during negative energy balance. We examine blood pressure, metabolic rate, and feeding responses to long-term modulation of caloric availability or to CNS infusion of feeding-related neuropeptides such as MCH, NPY, and AgRP.

Awards and Honors:

• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Training Grant, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2007-2010
• B.W. Robinson Memorial Endowment for the Neurosciences, Award Recipient, 2007
• Lloyd M. Beidler Fellowship, Florida State University Program in Neuroscience, 2005
• New Investigator Travel Award, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), 2004
• Whos Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2002-03 and The Chancellor's List, 2004-05
• Undergraduate Student Scholarship & Research Colloquium Finalist, Loyola College, 2002
• Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society President, Loyola College chapter, 2001-02, Co-President, 2002-03
• Loyola College Deans List, 1999-2002

Teaching Experience and Enhancement:

• Instructor, Physiological Psychology - Neuroanatomy Sheep Brain lab (PSB-3004L), Florida State University, Fall 2004 - Spring 2005.

Professional Affiliations:

• Society for Neuroscience (SfN): 2003-present
• Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB): 2004-present
• American Physiological Society (APS): 2005-present
• American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET): 2007-present

Publications

1. M.M. Messina and J. M. Overton. Cardiovascular and metabolic action of melanin-concentrating hormone. Regulatory Peptides,2007 Mar 1:139(1-3):23-30.


2. M.M. Messina, G.Boersma, J. M. Overton, and L.A. Eckel. Estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of melanin-concentrating hormone in ovariectomized rats. Physiology and Behavior, 2006 Jul 30;88(4-5):523-8.


3. M.M. Messina, S.A. Evans, S.J. Swoap, and J. M. Overton. Perinatal MSG treatment attenuates fasting-induced bradycardia and metabolic suppression. Physiology and Behavior, Sep 2005.


4. S.A. Evans, M.M. Messina, W.D. Knight, A.D. Parsons, J.M. Overton. Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats exhibit divergent responses to refeeding after caloric restriction. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. (3), Feb 2005.

Published Abstracts/Posters Presented at Meetings

1. M.M. Messina, R. Seth, L.A. Eckel, and J. M. Overton. Endogenous estradiol enhances, and ovariectomy suppresses, ERalpha- and cFos-immunoreactivity in the medial preoptic area. Poster presentation, to be presented at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, San Diego, CA, 2007.
2. M.M. Messina, A.R. Chandler, A.K. Mehle, D. Resuehr, J.M. Overton. Pair-feeding of ovariectomized rats does not prevent obesity and normalizes expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides. Poster presentation, Experimental Biology meeting, Washington, D.C., 2007.


3. M.M. Messina, A.R. Chandler, J.M. Overton. Thermoneutrality attenuates body weight gain in ovariectomized female mice. Poster presentation, Experimental Biology meeting, Washington, D.C., 2007.


4. M.M. Messina, A.R. Chandler, A.K. Mehle, J.M. Overton. Ovariectomy produces weight gain via different mechanisms in female mice and rats. Poster presentation, SSIB meeting, Naples, FL, 2006.


5. M.M. Messina, A.R. Chandler, A.K. Mehle, J.M. Overton. Ovariectomized C57/B6 mice gain weight as a result of decreased energy expenditure, not hyperphagia. Poster presentation, Experimental Biology meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2005.


6. M.M. Messina, G. Boersma, J.M. Overton, L.A. Eckel. Estradiol modulates the orexigenic and dipsogenic effects of MCH in ovariectomized rats. To be presented at SSIB Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA 2005. [View Poster]


7. M.M. Messina, S.A. Evans, S.J. Swoap, J.M. Overton. Perinatal MSG treatment attenuates fasting-induced bradycardia and metabolic suppression. Appetite Vol. 42 (3) June 2004. [View Poster]

Presentations

• Physiological Effects of Acute and Chronic Administration of Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH). Summer Neuroscience Seminar, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 2005.


• The Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus is Requisite for Intact Homeostatic Responses to Fasting. Summer Neuroscience Seminar, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 2004.


• Effects of Fasting-Induced Hypoglycemia On Ability to Concentrate and Level of Fatigue. Undergraduate Scholarship and Research Colloquium, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD 2002.

Research in Progress:

I am currently focused on uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying the capacity of estradiol to modulate energy expenditure and on further delineating the impact of estradiol-mediated behavioral and physiological actions that are protective against the development of obesity.

Reasons for Selecting Florida State University:

I was very impressed by the overall program, faculty and graduate students at FSU. In addition, I found Dr. Overtons research and lab techniques to be extremely fascinating and a perfect fit for what I am most interested in studying.

Other Interests:

Running road races, playing with my niece and nephews whenever I get the chance to visit them, reading, watching movies, keeping up with politics, listening to my favorite musicians/bands (live whenever possible: Dave Matthews Band, David Gray, O.A.R.), going to the beach (when the opportunity arises), and playing with animals.