Publications
Biology Research
The Peters Lab explores the mechanisms of how memories are formed. We study how the connections between neurons are strengthened, a process called long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP is mediated by an increase in the number of AMPA receptors (a type of neurotransmitter receptor) located at the synapse. Delivering AMPA receptors involves a complex molecular machine made up of several proteins. The Peters Lab aims to determine the arrangement of proteins within this molecular machine and describe how the machinery is regulated. The lab uses single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, computational structural biology, an in vitro fusion assay, and cell imaging approaches to address this question.
Science Education Research
The Peters Lab also strives to improve undergraduate biology education. Efforts in this space include assessing the impact of generative AI on science education and designing and assessing course-based undergraduate research experiences that teach transferrable molecular biology skills. Students working on these projects will learn to collect and analyze qualitative data. These projects will help improve the undergraduate biology experience for students at the University of Richmond and around the globe.
All Publications
2026
2025
2024
2022
2021