My current research is focused on validating and advancing dopamine receptors and molecular therapeutics for neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases such as Parkinson’s diseases (PD) and drug addiction. The majority of my recent work has focused on the receptor pharmacology of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), specifically dopamine (DA) D1 and D5 receptors. GPCRs comprise the largest group of druggable targets in the human genome and modulating these receptors provides immense promise for creating future therapeutics. My recent studies have investigated D1 and D5 receptors and the contributions of various signal transducers, such as heterotrimeric G-proteins and β-arrestins. I have used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genomic targeting strategies to fully knockout various G-proteins and β-arrestins in HEK293 cell lines, to elucidate the contribution of these signaling transducers in receptor signaling and pharmacology. Elucidating DA receptor signaling mechanisms holds promise for not only advancing receptor biology, but also to validate biased agonist ligands that can selectively activate DA receptor signaling pathways. This could provide a novel approach to modulate GPCRs using biased agonists to increase therapeutic efficacy while reducing side effects associated with specific signaling pathways. Previously, I studied recombinant human α-, β- and γ-synuclein proteins focused on their conformation, stability, potential for aggregation, interactions and fibril morphology in various protein environments. Human synucleins are associated with neurodegeneration, particularly in Parkinson’s disease. The various aggregates of human synucleins including oligomers, protofibrils and fibrils can profoundly influence synuclein cytotoxicity. We also identified human α-, β- and γ-synucleins interact with each other which can change the time course and potential for aggregation. I also determined neurotransmitters such dopamine and signaling molecules such as calcium influence the aggregation of human synucleins. During my previous postdoc positions, I also learned and applied stem cell cultures and mass spectrometry-based approaches to understand the molecular cellular biology of Alzheimer’s diseases.