Crystal Engineer

PhD - Cognition and Neuroscience
University of Texas at Dallas - 2008

MS - Applied Cognition and Neuroscience
University of Texas at Dallas - 2005

BS - Neuroscience
University of Texas at Dallas - 2003

Vagus nerve stimulation rescues impaired fear extinction and social interaction in a rat model of autism spectrum disorder. 2025 - Journal Article

Bursts of vagus nerve stimulation paired with auditory rehabilitation fail to improve speech sound perception in rats with hearing loss. 2024 - Journal Article

Vagus nerve stimulation during training fails to improve learning in healthy rats. 2024 - Journal Article

Pairing tones with vagus nerve stimulation improves brain stem responses to speech in the valproic acid model of autism 2024 - Journal Article

Degraded inferior colliculus responses to complex sounds in prenatally exposed VPA rats. 2024 - Journal Article

Behavioral Paradigm for the Evaluation of Stimulation-Evoked Somatosensory Perception Thresholds in Rats 2023 - Other

Precise sound characteristics drive plasticity in the primary auditory cortex with VNS-sound pairing. 2023 - Journal Article

Behavioral paradigm for the evaluation of stimulation-evoked somatosensory perception thresholds in rats. 2023 - Journal Article

Teaching Award - Department of Neuroscience [2023]

APSselect award - American Physiological Society [2019]

Travel Award - International Hearing Loss Conference [2019]

NARSAD Young Investigator Award - Brain & Behavior Research Foundation [2018]

Research Grant for New Investigators - American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation [2009]

Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Dallas [2020–Present]
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Research Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Dallas [2016–2020]
Texas Biomedical Device Center

Research Associate
University of Texas at Dallas [2009–2016]
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Plus Sound May Improve Auditory Processing in Rett, Study Suggests

Nerve Stimulation + Repetitive Sounds Help Improve Hearing

Study Captures Brain’s Activity Processing Speech

Top Journal Publishes Student Brain Researchers

Enhancing speech processing in a rat model of autism using vagus nerve stimulation

$1,912,500 - NIDCD, NIH [2018/12–2024/11]

The goal of this project is to evaluate whether VNS paired with speech training can reverse the neural and behavioral speech processing deficits observed in a rat model of autism.

Restoring auditory processing in a rat model of Rett syndrome

$400,000 - Eagles Autism Foundation [2022/04–2025/04]

The objective of this proposal is to determine whether auditory training paired with neuromodulator release can reverse the neural and behavioral auditory processing deficits observed in heterozygous Mecp2 rats.

Proteomic analysis of VNS-sound pairing therapy effects on cortical tissue in a rat model of ASD

$49,879 - Autism Research Institute [2024/01–2025/12]

This proposal will provide insight into the proteomic changes associated with novel plasticity-based therapies in treating the severe auditory sensory processing deficits observed in Rett syndrome.

Novel Neuromodulation Therapy to Address Sensory Hypersensitivity in Rett Syndrome

$295,246 - International Rett Syndrome Foundation [2025/02–2027/01]

In this study, we will be using a rat model of Rett syndrome that shows anxiety and heightened responses to sounds and touch. Our first goal is to investigate if we can reduce sensitivity to loud sounds in these rats. Next, we will explore whether we can reduce hypersensitivity to touch. Additionally, we will assess whether VNS therapy can improve anxiety and social interactions.