Dr. Connaughton’s research interests encompass the disciplines of developmental biology (nervous system development) and neurobiology. Specifically, she is interested in examining the relation between visually-guided behaviors in larval teleosts and maturation of retinal neurons, circuits, and receptor mechanisms. She is also interested in examining how the development of neural connections could be altered due to mutations or drugs. She has performed experiments that address behavioral/ecological questions, as well as those that employ cell biology techniques to examine retinal circuitry in both developing and adult retinal tissue.
Creative Activities and Research Support Award (2003-2004)
Junior Faculty Teaching Release (2003)
Senate Research Award (2000-2001)
Mellon Fund Award (1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2002-2003)
Intramural Research Training Award (1999)
National Research Service Award (F-32) (1996-1998)
Thomas H. Maren Fellowship (1996)
Grass Foundation Fellowship (1995)
National Eye Institute Fellowship (1994)
American Fishery Society Student Travel Award (1993)
University of Delaware Student Travel Award (1993)
University of Delaware Graduate Student Women of Excellence Award (1992)
Media Appearances
Farsaii, M. and V.P. Connaughton. 2005. AII Amacrine Cells (19pgs). In Kolb, H., Fernandez, E., and Nelson, R. Webvision: The Neural Organization of the Vertebrate Retina. http://webvision.med.utah.edu
Connaughton, V.P. 2005. The Vertebrate Retina, pp. 99-127, In Glutamate Receptors in Peripheral Tissues), S. Gill & O. Pulido (eds). Springer-Verlag. 420pp.
Nelson, R. and V.P. Connaughton. 2003. Bipolar cell pathways in the vertebrate retina. In Kolb, H., Fernandez, E., and Nelson, R. Webvision: The Neural Organization of the Vertebrate Retina. http://webvision.med.utah.edu
Connaughton, V.P. 1997. Glutamate and glutamate receptors in the vertebrate retina. In Kolb, H., Fernandez, E., and Nelson, R. Webvision: The Neural Organization of the Vertebrate Retina.http://webvision.med.utah.edu
