Aaron Cone

Aaron is originally from St. Louis, MO, but grew up in Huntsville, AL. He graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2018. He currently works in Dr. Aaron Norris’s lab as a research technician II and has been under Dr. Norris’s direct supervision for two years.

Aaron performs experiments on specific in vivo mice strains using chemogenetics and optogenetics to gather information regarding metabolism and thermoregulation. Currently, he is studying the role of Kappa Opioid Receptors (KOR) in thermoregulation, when the KORs are activated, and how the KORs are being modulated.

Aaron was a contributing author to a paper recently published in the scientific journal eLife, titled: “Parabrachial opioidergic projections to preoptic hypothalamus mediate behavioral and physiological thermal defenses,” and is researching the role of KORs and ultimately have a better understanding of KORs endogenous ligand dynorphin.

Aaron likes to play pickleball in his free time and enjoys hanging out with his friends and sister when the opportunity presents itself. In addition, he wants to also give thanks to his mother and grandmother for having an impactful role in his life.