The once controversial idea that parental experiences, such as stress or diet, can shape the physiology and behavior of their offspring via epigenetic mechanisms has become an active area of research. Dr. Mathieu Wimmer studies the influence of drug abuse in fathers (sires) on future generations. His research program combines animal models of drug addiction and memory formation with molecular biology techniques to investigate the impact of paternal drug taking on drug-related behaviors and memory formation in progeny.

Dr. Wimmer is also interested in epigenetic remodeling events in the brain that underlie these inherited changes in behavior. Dr. Wimmer received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania under the mentorship of Dr. Ted Abel. His postdoctoral training under the guidance of Dr. Chris Pierce at Penn focused on the transgenerational epigenetics of cocaine addiction. Dr. Wimmer’s research is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Dana earned her B.A. in Psychology from Marshall University in 2016. Under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Gould, she received her Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State University in the summer of 2021. Her graduate research focused broadly on genomic, neurobiological and behavioral underpinnings of learning and addiction in rodent models. Dana joined the Wimmer lab in the Fall of 2021. Her current research interests include mechanisms underlying multi- and transgenerational inheritance of drug addiction phenotypes, as well as the development and study of rodent behavioral paradigms. 

Dr. Zeid's publications

Joanna graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a B.S. in Biology in May of 2021. While at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Joanna was a research assistant in Dr. S. Tiffany Donaldson's lab where she studied environmental enrichment as a treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. She also contributed to work concerning the effects of amphetamine exposure in adolescent rats. She joined the Wimmer lab as a PhD student in fall 2021 and hopes to investigate the epigenetics of chronic drug use and how drug addiction may contribute to cognitive deficits. Outside of the lab, Joanna likes making and listening to music, fitness, and reading comics.

Genesis graduated from Lawrence University with a B.A. in Neuroscience in June of 2021. She relocated to Germany where she worked as a research assistant in Dr. Vanessa Stempel’s lab at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research investigating sex and estrous-specific changes in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). She joined the Wimmer lab as a PhD student in the fall of 2024. She is interested in exploring how the estrous cycle may modulate addiction-related neural plasticity. In her free time she enjoys cooking, attending music events, and traveling. 

Sam graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Neuroscience in May 2020. After graduating, he worked at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as an associate researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Yasmin Hurd, investigating chronic opioid use in animal models to identify the neurobiological correlates of substance use behaviors. He joined the Wimmer Lab as a Ph.D. student in the fall of 2025. Sam is interested in the neuroimmune profile associated with substance use disorders and researching the immune system to identify potential risk factors and develop novel therapies for opioid use disorder. Outside of the lab, he enjoys woodworking and exploring the city by bike. 

Miguel Romero-Stevenson is an Honors student at Temple University majoring in Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track (Class of 2027). He joined the Wimmer Lab in the Spring of 2026 to study the effects of substance abuse and addiction on behaviors, specifically relating to memory formation and retention. Outside the lab, Miguel serves as President of the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, works as a Peer Mentor for Leadership & Career Studies, and is part of Temple’s Community Scholars Program Spring cohort. He enjoys playing and watching sports, playing video games, traveling, volunteering, and hanging out with friends and family. After graduation, Miguel plans to pursue a master’s degree before applying to medical school.  

Nina Nourizadeh is a Neuroscience student at Temple University, currently enrolled in the 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Program on the Pre-Med Track. She joined the Wimmer Lab in the summer of 2026. Nina aspires to become a physician-researcher. On campus, she contributes as a Grey Matter’s author and as a member of HOSA. Outside of academics, she enjoys exploring the city, reading comics, playing video games, and engaging with her community.