Natalia Toporikova

Professor Toporikova’s courses include Biological Clocks and Rhythms, The Architecture of Living Systems, Dynamics of Biological Systems and Pregnancy: A Kiss in Time? In her research, she applies methods of computational modeling to study a wide range of biological systems. Some recent projects include neural control of breathing, pregnancy initiation in rats, and daily circadian cycle.

Natalia Toporikova

Natalia Toporikova

Associate Professor of Biology

Education

  • Ph.D. - Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Postdoctoral Fellow - McGill University, Montreal, QC
  • Postdoctoral Fellow - Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Research

Applies methods of computational modeling to study a wide range of biological systems. Some recent projects include neural control of breathing, pregnancy initiation in rats, and daily circadian cycle.

Teaching

  • Biological Clocks and Rhythms (BIOL 111)
  • The Networks Within: The Architecture of Living Systems (BIOL 180)
  • Dynamics of Biological systems (BIOL 282)
  • Pregnancy: A Kiss In Time? (BIOL 283)

Selected Publications

  • Toporikova, Natalia, Marc Chevalier, and Muriel Thoby-Brisson. “Sigh and Eupnea Rhythmogenesis Involve Distinct Interconnected Subpopulations: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study.” eneuro 2.2 (2015): ENEURO-0074.

  • Toporikova N., Butera R. Two modalities of bursting in inspiratory pacemakers: an integrative model J Comput. Neurosci., 2011 Jun;30(3):515-28.

  • Toporikova N., Chacron M. SK channels gate information processing in vivo by regulating an intrinsic bursting mechanism seen in vitro. J Neurophysiol., 2009 Oct;102(4):2273-87.

  • Toporikova N., Tabak J., Freeman M. E., Bertram R. A-type K+ current can act as a trigger for bursting in the absence of a slow variable. Neural Computation, 2008, 20(2).

  • Tabak J., Toporikova N., Freeman M. E., Bertram R. Low dose of dopamine may stimulate prolactin secretion by increasing fast potassium currents. J. Comput. Neurosci., 2007 Apr;22(2):211-22.

  • Bertram R., Tabak J., Toporikova N., Freeman M. E. Endothelin action on pituitary lactotrophs: one receptor, many GTP-binding proteins. Science STKE, 2006 Jan 24; (319):pe4, Review.

  • Bertram R., Egli M., Toporikova N., Freeman M. E. A mathematical model for the mating-induced prolactin rhythm of female rats. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 2006 Mar; 290(3):E573-82.

  • Egli M., Bertram R., Toporikova N., Sellix M. T., Blanco W., Freeman M. E. Prolactin secretory rhythm of mated rats induced by a single injection of oxytocin. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 2006 Mar; 290(3):E566-72.