Aaron Apawu

Post Doc, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2018.
Area of Study: Basic Science Research in Anatomy & Cell Biology and Neuroscience

PhD, Wayne State University, 2014.
Area of Study: Analytical Chemistry

MS, East Tennessee State University, 2009.
Area of Study: Analytical Chemistry

BSc, University of Cape Coast, 2005.

Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (2023 – Present).

Characterizing Trace Metals in Snake Venom

This work seeks to characterize trace metals in venom from snakes of different ages and types.

Comparative Analysis of Extraction Protocols for Label Free Quantitative Peptidomics: Application in the Central Auditory System

Developing GC-FID method to analyze blood alcohol level as part of exploring the gateway potential of inhalant abuse

Developing HPLC-UV method to analyze the impact of deafening noise on monoamines in the hub of central auditory system

Developing Thin Layer Chromatographic Method for Detection of Food Adulterants.

Examining evidence of agricultural runoff in waterways in Weld County

Exploring oxidative stress as a plausible mechanism underlining inhalant abuse

Exploring the connections between inhalant abuse and alcohol addiction

Exploring the impact of deafening noise on the synthesis of dopamine in the hub of the central auditory system

Impact of Prerequisites on the Students’ Performance and Achievement Gaps in an Analytical Chemistry Course

Pre-column Derivatization HPLC Method with Fluorescamine for Analysis of Monoamine

Qualitative analysis of drugs with NMR

Quantitative analysis of drugs with NMR

Areas of Interest

Brain cells communicate through signaling molecules across synapses to execute variety of tasks. This communication can be disrupted by several environmental contaminants including loud noise, illicit drugs and industrial solvents frequently encountered through occupational exposures or abused as inhalants. The overarching goal of our lab is to use Analytical Chemistry and complementary tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions of these external contaminants on the brain chemistry. This research goal is achieved in the following research areas:

Combining analytical, molecular-based, and imaging tools to delineate the neurochemical bases for inhalant abuse

The prevalence of inhalant abuse among the youth is a source of great concern. These volatile solvents that are frequently misused have been reported to elicit  devastating effects on mental health and hence the call for in-depth understanding into their pharmacodynamics and rewarding properties to lay the foundation for effective therapeutic strategies. While existing body of evidence implicates the mesolimbic dopamine pathway in the action of inhalant like toluene, the underlying neurochemical mechanisms still remain elusive. Our lab optimizes analytical tools, molecular based assays, and imaging modalities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of inhalants on the mesolimbic dopamine system and to delineate the neural bases for inhalant abuse. Our work involves the use of rodent models, slice and in vivofast scan cyclic voltammetry, microelectrode fabrication & modifications, HPLC, pharmacological manipulations, and exploring evidence for oxidative damage.

Expanding the utility of electrochemistry to study the role of  monoamine neurotransmitters in the central auditory pathways

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are playing a critical role in auditory functions due to their significant presence in central auditory pathways. Nonetheless, how the signaling of these neurotransmitters influences hearing or is impacted during acoustic trauma is equivocal. Our work harnesses the superior temporal resolution of fast scan cyclic voltammetry together with auditory brainstem responses to define the origin and function of dopaminergic and serotonergic inputs in the central auditory pathways and their possible disruption following acoustic trauma.

Exploring the combined effect of chemical and noise exposures

Industrial workers are frequently exposed to both organic solvents and loud noise that are hazardous to their health. While existing evidence suggests that workers who are frequently exposed to industrial solvent risk developing auditory and vestibular dysfunctions, the neural substrates that mediate this effect of industrial solvent on the auditory/vestibular systems is unclear. Our lab seeks to mechanistically elucidate the neural substrates in the auditory/vestibular pathways that are altered in frequent exposures to organic solvent and examines the synergistic effects of chemical and noise exposures on the central auditory/vestibular systems. This research will provide insights that may influencing OSHA guidelines for occupational exposures to industrial solvents and noise.

• Apawu A.K*, Curley S.M, Dixon A.R, Hali M, Sinan M, Braun R.D, Castracane J, Cacace A.T, Bergkvist M, Holt A.G. MRI compatible MS2 nanoparticles designed to cross the blood-brain-barrier: providing a path towards tinnitus treatment. Nanomedicine. 2018, 14(7):1999-2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2018.04.003
• Muca A., Standafer E, Apawu A.K*, Ghoddoussi F.A, Hali M, Warila J, Berkowitz B.A, Holt, A.G. Tinnitus and temporary hearing loss result in differential noise-induced spatial reorganization of brain activity, Brain Structure Funct., 2018, 223: 2343.
• Callan S.P, Apawu A.K*, Mathews T. A, Bowen S.E.Toluene’s Effects on Activity and Extracellular Dopamine in the Mouse are Altered by GABAAAntagonism, Neurosci Lett., 2017, 647, 24 April 2017, Pages 67-71.
• Apawu A. K*, Mathews T. A, Bowen S.E. Acute and repeated toluene exposure dysregulates striatal dopamine dynamics, Psychopharmacology, 2015, 232:173-184
• Apawu A. K*, Maina F.K, Mathews T. A, Probing the ability of presynaptic tyrosine kinase receptors to regulate striatal dopamine dynamics, ACS Chem Neurosci., 2013, 4(5):895-904.
• Maina F. K, Khalid M, Apawu A. K*, and Mathews T.A. Presynaptic Dopamine Dynamics in Striatal Brain Slices with Fast-scan Cyclic Voltammetry, Vis. Exp., 2012.(59), e3464, https://doi.org/10.3791/3464