Natalia Toporikova Professor of Biology

Natalia Toporikova

Parmly 303
540-458-5809
toporikovan@wlu.edu

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

  1. 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.

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

  3. 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.

  4. 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).

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.