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. 

NeAva is a neuroscience and computer science student at Temple University, pursuing both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees through the Accelerated 4+1 Program (Class of 2026). She joined the Wimmer Lab in spring 2024 as part of the MiNDS Program, where she studies how drug exposure interacts with early-life adversity using rodent models. In addition to her research, NeAva serves as President of the National Honor Society for Neuroscience at Temple University. Outside the lab, she tutors both student-athletes and high school students, sharing her passion for science and academic growth. After completing her master’s degree, she plans to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience. 

Vedant is a student in the honors program majoring in Neuroscience through the College of Liberal Arts (Class of 2027). He is also a Sonkin-Weisman Scholar and a Pre-med Health Scholar. He joined the Wimmer Lab in the fall of 2024 to better understand the multigenerational consequences of drug exposure and the genetic components of addiction. Outside the lab, Vedant heads two student organizations- MedicZero and TempleToys. He also enjoys playing the piano and clarinet. After graduation, Vedant plans on attending Lewis Katz School of Medicine and pursuing a career as a physician. 

Rithika is an Honors student at Temple University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Health (Class of 2026). She joined the Wimmer Lab in the summer of 2025 to explore the intersection of behavioral and molecular neuroscience, with a focus on how addiction mechanisms epigenetically influence behavior and brain chemistry. Outside the lab, Rithika is an active member of Phi Delta Epsilon, Temple’s professional pre-medical fraternity, and the American Medical Student Association. She enjoys traveling, shopping, working out, and spending time with family and friends. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. 

Tara Kehair is an Honors student at Temple University pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Social Justice (Class of 2027). She joined the Wimmer Lab in the summer of 2025 due to her interest in connecting neuroscience with social justice, particularly in understanding addiction and its underlying causes. Tara is especially interested in how epigenetic changes influence long-term addiction susceptibility and how this knowledge can inform more effective treatments, harm reduction approaches, and rehabilitation strategies. Outside the lab, she serves as president of Temple’s Red Cross Chapter and as DEI Chair for PHIDE, a pre-medical fraternity.  After graduation, Tara plans on attending medical school.

Victoria Cooke is a neuroscience major at Temple University (Class of 2026). She joined the Wimmer lab in the summer of 2025 to explore relapse mechanisms, with a particular interest in pathways that drive drug-seeking behavior and vulnerability to relapse. Outside of the lab, Victoria is an active member of the Pre-Med Neuroscience Alliance, which is dedicated to guiding pre-medical neuroscience students on their path to medical school. Victoria is also a medical scribe at the Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia (CHOP). She enjoys reading, volunteering, and hanging out with friends. After graduation, she plans to enter the workforce and pursue a master's degree before attending medical school.