Sarah Elizabeth Davis is the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Highlighted Trainee Author for the February 2023 issue. Currently, she is a pre-doctoral trainee working on her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of South Carolina. Her mentor is Dr. Jun Zhu. The JPET article that earned her selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled "Novel Allosteric Modulator SRI-32743 Reverses HIV-1 Tat-induced Increase in Dopamine Release in the Caudate Putamen of Inducible Tat Transgenic Mice" and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.122.001291.

Ms. Davis’s research focuses on understanding how the HIV-1 viral protein transactivator of transcription (Tat) influences extracellular dopamine signaling dynamics through monoamine transporter interactions. Currently, she is continuing her work in understanding how other monoamine transporters, besides the dopamine transporter, mediate Tat-induced changes in extracellular dopamine.

The anticipated impact of Ms. Davis’s current research will provide insight into the molecular mechanism for Tat's effects on dopaminergic signaling and identify possible therapeutic targets to prevent Tat-induced effects on dopaminergic function.

Outside the lab, Sarah is interested in creative hobbies, including makeup. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and new baby boy.