Principal Investigator

Dr. Kimbrough received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Florida State University in 2015 studying neural circuits involved in taste and flavor learning. Dr. Kimbrough then shifted his research focus to substance use disorders while a postdoctoral researcher at The Scripps Research Institute and later as a project scientist at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Kimbrough began his lab at Purdue University in September of 2020. The focus of research in the Kimbrough lab research is characterize and understand behavioral aspects of substance use disorders and the neural circuits involved.

Graduate Student

Yueyi joined the Kimbrough laboratory as a graduate student in May of 2021. Yueyi graduated from the University of California San Diego in December 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience. After graduation, Yueyi joined MapLight Therapeutics, located in the San Francisco Bay area, as a research associate. She focused on using optogenetics to identify brain circuits associated with anxiety and depression symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease. In the Kimbrough lab Yueyi is focused on studying opioid use disorder through a variety of methods such as forced dependence and self-administration paired with chemogenetics and whole brain imaging. In her free time, Yueyi enjoys hiking and playing with her cat, Rice Cake. She is also working hard to learn snowboarding.

Graduate Student

Tiange joined the laboratory in August of 2021. She graduated from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Chemistry and a minor in Chinese Materia Medica. In 2020, she earned an M.S. degree at the University of Aberdeen studying Clinical Pharmacology. Her Master’s involved research focusing on the efficacy of Cannabidiol in glioma cancer. Her current research in the Kimbrough lab at Purdue University focuses on Alcohol Use Disorder using preclinical rodent models. Tiange is using chemogenetic assays with models of alcohol intoxication, dependence, and binge-like drinking to explore the causal relationship of specific brain regions/pathways in alcohol drinking and withdrawal symptoms.​ In her spare time, Tiange enjoys cooking Korean food and traveling.

Graduate Student

Yuyang joined the Kimbrough Lab as a graduate student in August of 2023. She earned her bachelors degree from Zhejiang University in 2023, majoring in pharmaceutical sciences. During her undergraduate years, Yuyang participated in several research projects related to neuropharmacology. She knocked down a target gene in dopaminergic neuron’s of mice to investigate the relationship of the target gene with bipolar disorder. She participated in studies exploring the mechanism of ischemic stroke. Her graduation project focused on understanding the role of mitophagy in the activation of microglia with a goal to identify a new treatment strategy for neuroinflammation related diseases like Alzheimer's, ischemic stroke and Parkinson’s. In the Kimbrough lab, Yuyang is looking forward focusing her research on substance use disorders and related neurological diseases. In her spare time, Yuyang enjoys listening to K-pop music, watching sitcoms and jogging.

Graduate Student

Yue joined the Kimbrough lab in 2024 with a keen interest in the neural mysteries behind drug addiction. Yue completed her undergraduate studies and earned her Bachelor of Medicine degree at Sun Yat-sen University in 2020, where she focused on studying breast cancer cell resistance. In 2024, Yue completed her Master of Medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where her research explored the role and mechanisms of acid-sensing ion channels in synapses. Now at the Kimbrough lab, she is excited to apply her background and skills to investigate the complexities of drug addiction. In her free time, Yue enjoys reading, watching movies, and writing.

Graduate Student

Jiahui joined the Kimbrough laboratory as a graduate student in August of 2024. Jiahui earned a Master of Biomedical Electronic and Bioinformatics degree from National Taiwan University in 2021. After completing the master degree, Jiahui worked at the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, focusing on the development of visual prosthetics. In the Kimbrough lab, Jiahui’s research will concentrate on studying opioid use disorder. The research approach will encompass a variety of methods, such as optogenetics, to delve into the neural mechanisms behind the disorder. Outside of research, Jiahui’s interests include animals and outdoor pursuits. Jiahui enjoys quality time with the dog and partakes in activities such as hiking and mountain climbing.

Undergraduate Researcher

Danielle joined the laboratory in May of 2023. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Health Sciences with a Pre-Med concentration and a minor in Psychology at Purdue University and plans to graduate in 2025. Danielle is working in the Kimbrough lab to learn neuroanatomy and to perform wet lab procedures such as tissue sectioning, immunostaining, and microscopy. In addition to her work at the Kimbrough lab, Dani works as a medical scribe at the IU Arnett emergency department. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and hiking.

Undergraduate Student

Jillian is a junior who is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with a focus in Clinical Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. She plans to continue her education with a Master’s degree in Education with a focus in Advanced Behavioral Analysis. She is working in the Kimbrough lab to further her knowledge on substance use disorders and their impact on neurodegenerative conditions. Jillian spends her free time baking, reading, and hiking in different national parks across the nation.

Undergraduate Student

Seo is a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in Brain and Behavioral Science. Seo is in a pre-medicine track pursuing a career as a psychiatrist who also conducts clinical research on psychological diseases, and with a desired focus on treating schizophrenia. Seo's main interests are brain and neuroscience, mental disorders including addiction, schizophrenia, OCD, anxiety disorders, and depression. Seo joined the lab because to conduct research on addiction and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. In my free time, Seo enjoys playing the piano, career planning, reading psychology books, and watching tv shows and movies.