The first half of my academic career was focused on neuroscience research. My PhD looked at the modification of processing of painful information in the spinal cord by analgesics. Following my PhD, I became interested in the electrical activity and properties of neurons in the amygdala, a brain region attributed with processing and mediating emotions and emotional memories. In addition I investigated the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is important for emotion regulation. I studied mechanisms involved in synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, with a focus on the role of potassium channels, including SK channels.
For the second half of my career I have moved into a more teaching-focused role. This was first as a casual academic in the School of Biomedical Sciences, from 2014-2020, and since 2021 as a teaching-focused lecturer, with my current research in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. My research interests are primarily now in looking at emotions, emotion regulation and motivation regulation during learning, and how these can be harnessed to improve student experiences and learning outcomes. I'm also interested in the development of transferable skills in undergraduates, such as science communication, in preparation for future careers.
Honours projects are currently available with myself and others in the SBMS Biomedical Education Research Group, looking at:
Journal Article: Functional interplay between NMDA receptors, SK channels and voltage-gated Ca2+channels regulates synaptic excitability in the medial prefrontal cortex
Faber, E. S. L. (2010). Functional interplay between NMDA receptors, SK channels and voltage-gated Ca2+channels regulates synaptic excitability in the medial prefrontal cortex. Journal of Physiology, 588 (8), 1281-1292. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.185645
Journal Article: Functions and modulation of neuronal SK channels
Faber, Elizabeth S. L. (2009). Functions and modulation of neuronal SK channels. Cell Biochemistry And Biophysics, 55 (3), 127-139. doi: 10.1007/s12013-009-9062-7
Journal Article: Emotional connection
Faber, Louise (2009). Emotional connection. Australasian science, 30 (4), 25-27.
Modulation and trafficking of SK channels in the lateral amygdala
(2008–2010) NHMRC Project Grant
NARSAD Young Investigator Award - Functions of SK channels in the medial prefrontal cortex
(2008–2010) National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
NHMRC Equipment Grant: Electrophysiology rig for probing the neural circuitry of the brain
(2008) NHMRC Equipment Grant
The intercalated cells of the rodent amygdala
(2012) Doctor Philosophy
Diversity and plasticity of interneurons in the basolateral amygdala complex
(2009) Doctor Philosophy
Synaptic Plasticity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex
Faber, E. S. L. (2009). Synaptic Plasticity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Synaptic Plasticity: New Research. (pp. 221-268) edited by Kaiser T. F. and Peters, F. J.. New York: Nova Publishers.
Faber, E. S. L. (2010). Functional interplay between NMDA receptors, SK channels and voltage-gated Ca2+channels regulates synaptic excitability in the medial prefrontal cortex. Journal of Physiology, 588 (8), 1281-1292. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.185645
Functions and modulation of neuronal SK channels
Faber, Elizabeth S. L. (2009). Functions and modulation of neuronal SK channels. Cell Biochemistry And Biophysics, 55 (3), 127-139. doi: 10.1007/s12013-009-9062-7
Faber, Louise (2009). Emotional connection. Australasian science, 30 (4), 25-27.
Faber, Elizabeth S. L., Delaney, Andrew J., Power, John M., Sedlak, Petra, Crane, James W. and Sah, Pankaj (2008). Modulation of SK Channel Trafficking by Beta Adrenoceptors Enhances Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity in the Amygdala. Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (43), 10803-10813. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1796-08.2008
Functions of SK channels in central neurons
Faber, E. S. L. and Sah, P. (2007). Functions of SK channels in central neurons. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 34 (10), 1077-1083. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007.04725.x
Sez-6 proteins affect dendritic arborization patterns and excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons
Gunnersen, J. M., Kim, M. H., Fuller, S. J., De Silva, M., Britto, J. M., Hammond, V. E., Davies, P. J., Petrou, S., Faber, E. S. L., Sah, P. and Tan, S. S. (2007). Sez-6 proteins affect dendritic arborization patterns and excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons. Neuron, 56 (4), 621-639. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.09.018
Faber, E. S. L., Sedlak, P., Vidovic, M. and Sah, P. (2006). Synaptic activation of transient receptor potential channels by metabotropic glutamate receptors in the lateral amygdala. Neuroscience, 137 (3), 781-794. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.09.027
How Are Emotions Processed and Stored in our Brains
Faber, Louise (2005). How Are Emotions Processed and Stored in our Brains. Australasian Science, 26 (9), 21-23.
Faber, E. S. L. and Sah, P. (2005). Independent roles of calcium and voltage-dependent potassium currents in controlling spike frequency adaptation in lateral amygdala pyramidal neurons. European Journal of Neuroscience, 22 (7), 1627-1635. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2005.04357.x
SK channels regulate excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity in the lateral amygdala
Faber, E. S., Delaney, A. J. and Sah, P. (2005). SK channels regulate excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity in the lateral amygdala. Nature Neuroscience, 8 (5), 635-641. doi: 10.1038/nn1450
Opioids Inhibit Lateral Amygdala Pyramidal Neurons by Enhancing A Dendritic Potassium Current
Faber, E. S. L. and Sah, P. (2004). Opioids Inhibit Lateral Amygdala Pyramidal Neurons by Enhancing A Dendritic Potassium Current. Journal of Neuroscience, 24 (12), 3031-3039. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4496-03.2004
Faber, E. S. L. and Sah, P. (2003). Ca2+-activated K+(BK) channel inactivation contributes to spike broadening during repetitive firing in the rat lateral amygdala. Journal of Physiology, 552 (2), 483-497. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2003.050120
Calcium-activated potassium channels: Multiple contributions to neuronal function
Faber, ESL and Sah, P (2003). Calcium-activated potassium channels: Multiple contributions to neuronal function. Neuroscientist, 9 (3), 181-194. doi: 10.1177/107385840325673
The amygdaloid complex: Anatomy and physiology
Sah, P, Faber, ESL, De Armentia, ML and Power, J (2003). The amygdaloid complex: Anatomy and physiology. Physiological Reviews, 83 (3), 803-834. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00002.2003
Channels underlying neuronal calcium-activated potassium currents
Sah, P and Faber, ESL (2002). Channels underlying neuronal calcium-activated potassium currents. Progress In Neurobiology, 66 (5), 345-353. doi: 10.1016/S0301-0082(02)00004-7
Physiological role of calcium-activated potassium currents in the rat lateral amygdala
Faber, ESL and Sah, P (2002). Physiological role of calcium-activated potassium currents in the rat lateral amygdala. Journal of Neuroscience, 22 (5), 1618-1628. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.22-05-01618.2002
Faber, ESL, Callister, RJ and Sah, P (2001). Morphological and electrophysiological properties of principal neurons in the rat lateral amygdala in vitro. Journal of Neurophysiology, 85 (2), 714-723. doi: 10.1152/jn.2001.85.2.714
Faber, E. S.L., Chambers, J. P. and Evans, R. H. (1998). Depression of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission by four α2 adrenoceptor agonists on the in vitro rat spinal cord preparation. British Journal of Pharmacology, 124 (3), 507-512. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0701873
Faber, E. S.L., Chambers, J. P. and Evans, R. H. (1998). Selective depression of dorsal root-evoked high threshold synaptic excitation by the selective κ opioid receptor agonist enadoline in the neonatal rat hemisected spinal cord in vitro. Neuropharmacology, 37 (6), 745-750. doi: 10.1016/S0028-3908(98)00046-X
Faber, E. S.L., Chambers, J. P., Brugger, F. and Evans, R. H. (1997). Depression of A and C fibre-evoked segmental reflexes by morphine and clonidine in the in vitro spinal cord of the neonatal rat. British Journal of Pharmacology, 120 (7), 1390-1396. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0701064
Faber, E. S.L., Chambers, J. P., Evans, R. H. and Henderson, G. (1996). Depression of glutamatergic transmission by nociceptin in the neonatal rat hemisected spinal cord preparation in vitro. British Journal of Pharmacology, 119 (2), 189-190. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1996.tb15969.x
Behavioural assessment of endothelin-1 induced middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat
Marston, H. M., Faber, E. S.L., Crawford, J. H., Butcher, S. P. and Sharkey, J. (1995). Behavioural assessment of endothelin-1 induced middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat. NeuroReport, 6 (7), 1067-1071. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199505090-00029
Faber, E.S.L. and Sah, P. (2004). Calcium and voltage dependent potassium currents contribute to spike frequency adaptations in lateral amygdala neurons. Australian Neuroscience Society 24th Annual Meeting, Melbourne Convention Centre, 27-30 January. Melbourne: Australian Neuroscience Society.
Procter, Mark J., Houghton, Andrea K., Faber, E.S. Louise, Chizh, Boris A., Ornstein, Paul L., Lodge, David and Headley, P. Max (1998). Actions of kainate and AMPA selective glutamate receptor ligands on nociceptive processing in the spinal cord. doi: 10.1016/S0028-3908(98)00136-1
Modulation and trafficking of SK channels in the lateral amygdala
(2008–2010) NHMRC Project Grant
NARSAD Young Investigator Award - Functions of SK channels in the medial prefrontal cortex
(2008–2010) National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
NHMRC Equipment Grant: Electrophysiology rig for probing the neural circuitry of the brain
(2008) NHMRC Equipment Grant
NHMRC: R Douglas Wright Biomedical Career Development Award
(2006–2010) NHMRC Career Development Award
Local Circuitry in the Lateral Amygdala
(2006) UQ Early Career Researcher
Ultraviolet Laser for targeted uncaging
(2006) NHMRC Equipment Grant
Excitatory synaptic circuitry and plasticity in the amygdala.
(2005–2007) NHMRC Project Grant
The intercalated cells of the rodent amygdala
(2012) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Diversity and plasticity of interneurons in the basolateral amygdala complex
(2009) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: