Dr. Diana K. Sarko

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Vanderbilt University
Biological Sciences
Postdoctoral FellowAppointed: 2007

Mailing Address

Vanderbilt University
Department of Biological Sciences
VU Station B
Box 35-1634
Nashville, Tennessee 37235
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (615) 343-4593
Fax: (615) 343-6707
diana.sarko@vanderbilt.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., University of Florida, Neuroscience, 2006.
B.S., Emory University, Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, magna cum laude, 2002.

Expertise and Research Interests

My research interests include comparative neurobiology, cognition, and behavior. Currently we are investigating the sensory systems of insectivores (moles and shrews), naked mole-rats, and grasshopper mice. These studies include EM analysis of sections taken from trigeminal, auditory, and optic nerves in order to quantify the number of axons dedicated to each nerve, and thus each sensory modality, indicating how important each modality is to each species. To further understand brain scaling rules and dedication of neural resources in these small mammals, we use isotropic fractionation to quantify the number of total cells, and the percentage of total cells that are neurons, within brain regions of interest (cerebral cortex, olfactory bulbs, hippocampus, cerebellum, and remaining areas).

Another recent project includes investigation of the grasshopper mouse, a carnivorous, predatory rodent with potentially specialized sensory capabilities. We intend to explore the predatory behaviors of this species through high-speed video analysis. We also plan to investigate any commensurate sensory specializations through flattened cortex studies, electrophysiological mapping of the neocortex, EM analysis of the cranial nerves as mentioned above, and immunolabeling analysis of sensory innervation of the vibrissae. We particularly hope to compare grasshopper mice to both lab mice and wild-caught mice in determining what sensory specializations exist.

Other Expertise

I have served as a TA for both Embryology and Neuroanatomy at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.

I am also experienced in histological and immunolabeling techniques and have written a successful seed grant to perform a comparative analysis of the somatosensory system of the hyrax (Procavia capensis), the closest relative of the Florida manatee.

Future Research

I plan to continue studying neurobiology and its relationship to behavior and cognition in unique species. I am particularly interested in sensory systems as well as comparative evolution.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Animal Behavior Or Ethology, Cognitive Development Or Processes, Evolution, Mammalogy, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Neuroscience.

Additional Terms:

Comparative Evolution, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Neuroscience.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Spanish: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)

Memberships

J.B. Johnston Club
Society for Marine Mammalogy
Society for Neuroscience

Honors and Awards

2005-2006, Student Board Member, Save the Manatee Club
2005-2006, Consolidated Faculty Research Development Award Grant Competition - Major seed grant recipient, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida
2004-2005, Alternate Student Board Member, Save the Manatee Club
Alumni Fellowship, IDP Department of the College of Medicine, University of Florida, 4-year award of full stipend, tuition and fees; the highest fellowship award given at the University of Florida
Grinter Fellowship, IDP Department of the College of Medicine, University of Florida, 3 year award
Certificate of Appreciation, Alachua County, Alachua Region Science and Engineering Fair

Funding Received

  • University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine: Consolidated Faculty Research Development Award Grant Competition - Major seed grant recipient, $7,500, 2005 to 2006.
  • University of Florida: Department of Neuroscience Travel Award, $500 per year award, 2002 to 2005.
  • University of Florida: Graduate Student Council Travel Award, $175 per year award, 2002 to 2004.

Publications

  • Henry EC, Sarko DK, Catania KC (2008) Central Projections of Trigeminal Afferents Innervating the Face in Naked Mole-Rats (Heterocephalus glaber), Anatomical Record, Submitted
  • Sarko DK, Johnson JI, Switzer RC, Welker WI, Reep RL (Sep 2007) Somatosensory nuclei of the manatee brainstem and thalamus., Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007), 290 (9), 1138-65 Abstract
  • Sarko DK, Reep RL, Mazurkiewicz JE, Rice FL (Sep 2007) Adaptations in the structure and innervation of follicle-sinus complexes to an aquatic environment as seen in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)., The Journal of comparative neurology, 504 (3), 217-37 Abstract
  • Marshall CD, Vaughn SD, Sarko DK, Reep RL (2007) Topographical organization of the facial motor nucleus in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)., Brain, behavior and evolution, 70 (3), 164-73 Abstract
  • Sarko DK, Reep RL (2007) Somatosensory areas of manatee cerebral cortex: histochemical characterization and functional implications., Brain, behavior and evolution, 69 (1), 20-36 Abstract
  • Sarko DK, Rice FL, Reep RL (2006) Immunofluorescence analysis of sensory innervation of manatee follicle sinus complexes., Soc Neurosci Abstr, 149.5
  • Reep RL, Sarko DK (2006) Somatosensory specializations in the nervous systems of manatees, Evolution of Nervous Systems, vol. 3 Edition, Oxford, Elsevier, 207-214 pages (bookchapter)
  • Bauer, G.B., Gaspard, J.C., Colbert, D.E., Leach, J.B., Stamper, S.A., Sarko, D.K., Hammelman, J.D., Schmieg, A., Mann, D., Reep, R.L., Tactile Discrimination By Florida Manatees, Trichechus Manatus Latirostris., Society for Marine Mammalogy Abstract, Dec 2005
  • Sarko, D.K., and Reep, R.L., Differential Cytochrome Oxidase Staining Between Neonatal and Juvenile Manatee Cerebral Cortex Reveals Uniquely Organized Somatosensory Areas., Society for Neuroscience Abstract, Nov 2005
  • Sarko DK, Reep RL, Delineation of Cortical Primary Sensory Areas of the Florida Manatee., Brain, Behavior, and Evolution (JBJC Abstract), Nov 2005
  • Bedenbaugh, P., Martin, E., and Sarko, D, Segmented Representation of Speech in the Auditory Thalamus, Southeast Nerve Net Abstract, 2004
  • Sarko, DK, and Reep, RL., Cytochrome oxidase staining reveals topographical organization of manatee cerebral cortex, Society for Neuroscience Abstract, 2004
  • Marino L, Sudheimer K, Sarko D, Sirpenski G, Johnson JI, Neuroanatomy of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from magnetic resonance images, Journal of Morphology, 257(3), 308-47, 2003 Abstract
  • Sarko, DK, and Reep, RL, Functional localization in manatee cerebral cortex as revealed by cytochrome oxidase, Society for Neuroscience Abstract, 2003
  • Sarko, DK., Roth, H., and Bedenbaugh, P, Decoding Emotional Prosody Requires Fine Acoustic Frequency Resolution, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Meeting Abstract, 2003
  • Sarko, DK., Marino, L., Sudheimer, K., Johnson, JI., and Serpenski, G, Neuroanatomy of the Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) From Magnetic Resonance Images, Society for Neuroscience Abstract, Nov 2002
  • Sarko, D., Marino, L., and Reiss, D, A bottlenose dolphin's (Tursiops truncatus) responses to its mirror image: Further analysis, IJCP, 15(1), 69-76, 2002
  • Reep, R.L., Sarko, D.S., Welker, W.I., Johnson, J.I., Marshall, C.D., Switzer, R.C., The brain of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus): external morphology and nuclear architecture in relation to behavior, BioMed Central Neuroscience, (in preparation)
  • Sarko, D.K., Bedenbaugh, P.H., Roth, H.L., Decoding Emotion in Speech Requires High Audio Fidelity, Journal of the Association of Research for Otolaryngology, (in preparation)

Profile Details

Last Verified: 2/22/2008

COS Expertise ID #1155258
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/dianasarko