Matthew Strauss is the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Highlighted Trainee Author for the August 2020 issue.  Mr. Strauss is a pre-doctoral trainee at the University of South Carolina, College of Pharmacy.  His mentor is Dr. Jun Zhu.  The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics article that earned his selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “[³H]Dopamine Uptake through the Dopamine and Norepinephrine Transporters Is Decreased in the Prefrontal Cortex of Transgenic Mice Expressing HIV-1 Tat Protein” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.120.266023.

Mr. Strauss’s areas of research are HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and dopamine. His current research is investigating the influence of drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine, on the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Additionally, using a mutant dopamine transporter mouse, which has been crossed with an inducible HIV-1 Tat transgenic mouse, he hopes to determine the extent to which dopamine dysregulation affects cognitive capabilities in the HIV-infected population.

The anticipated impact of Mr. Strauss’s research will identify novel therapeutic targets to prevent the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders by determining the specific mechanisms by which HIV-1 viral proteins influence cognitive capabilities.  His lab has begun a collaboration focused on preventing the dopaminergic insults caused by the HIV-1 Tat protein. It is his hope that one day his research will contribute to the alleviation of the neurologic burden of HIV. 

When not in the lab, Matthew enjoys walking his dog, Cooper, with his wife and son. He also enjoys going to different breweries across town, as well as attending sporting events, particularly Carolina football games.