Contact Information:
Date Joined Lab
December 2021
Background and Interests
Jen graduated from Duke University in 2020, where she double majored in Neuroscience and Linguistics. As an undergraduate, she worked on research projects in pediatric neurology, psychiatry, and neurolinguistics. She is responsible for running and analyzing many of the behavioral assays the lab uses, such as the 50% Paw Withdrawal Test, Elevated Zero Maze, Tail Suspension Test, and Grimace. Currently, she is working on a project investigating the effects of adrenergic receptor beta-3 (Adrb3)-selective agonists, clinically approved for the treatment of overactive bladder, on evoked and spontaneous measures of pain in wildtype and adipocyte Adrb3 conditional knockout mice.
Jen intends to apply to PhD programs in Neuroscience within the next few years and ultimately pursue an academic career in neurolinguistics research. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading comic books, playing with her dog, and exploring the Durham food scene.
Awards and Recognitions
Congratulations to Jen Ricano, whose abstract titled, “Activation of Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors with the Selective Agonist Mirabegron Elicits Multi-Site Mechanical Hypersensitivity, Grimace, and Increased IL-6 Levels in Mice” wowed the judges and received first place in the Grad/Undergrad Research/CRNA/DNP category. May 7, 2024
In the February/March 2024 issue of Working@Duke magazine, Jen was quoted in the back cover feature titled "The Future: What are your predictions for Duke in the next 100 years?"
