We leverage the natural regenerative abilities of spiny mice and salamanders to understand how animals regain function after injury.
We study how nature's best healers regain function to one day improve life after injuries, diseases, and transplants.
The Varholick Lab leverages the natural regenerative abilities of spiny mice (Acomys) and salamanders to explore how they regain functional abilities after injury.
Our goal is to break down these natural abilities to improve life after injuries, diseases, and transplants.
Spiny mice have a remarkable ability to regenerate skin after wounding, without scarring. But does that skin feel sensation? The answer starts with the functional recovery of the sensory nerves and their integration with the brain. By understanding this complex system from skin to brain, we hope to leverage these findings to improve the reinnervation of tissue transplants.
Behavior can directly affect gene expression and development. We want to know if it can affect the processes underlying tissue regeneration. If we observe the animal as they heal, we can see that behaviors begin to recover before regeneration is complete. These behaviors involve nerve signaling, and nerve signaling is imperative for tissue regeneration. Thus, behavior is likely an important aspect of tissue regeneration, but this has yet to be empirically demonstrated.
We are harnessing the power of AI and bioinformatics to reveal the genes and cells driving tissue regeneration in spiny mice. Check back soon for a preprint publication.
February 2026
Rachel (Jaehyeon) Lee, a high school student from Walton High School in Marietta, GA, who worked in our lab over winter break, has been selected to present her research on planarian regeneration at Regeneron ISEF 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Congratulations, Rachel!
January 2026
The lab has open positions for research projects on tissue regeneration, behavioral neuroscience, and physiology in highly regenerative rodents, salamanders, and planarians. Students will have opportunities to incorporate laboratory, bioinformatic, and possibly field methods and work collaboratively with other lab members. Learn More
December 2025
The Varholick Lab was awarded two internal grants. A $19k grant for "Unravelling synaptic resilience: neurobiological mechanisms of enhanced learning and memory in Acomys cahirinus." In collaboration with Dr. Vishnu Suppiramanian and Dr. Erica Holliday. The other is a $3.5k award to study "Exploring neuroanatomy and sensory innervation in polymorphic two-lined salamanders" with Dr. Todd Pierson and students Kellyn Gilligan and Ito Osayi.
We're always open to collaborations, inquiries, and new talent. Whether you're an undergraduate looking for your first research experience or a collaborator with a new perspective, we'd love to hear from you.
Science Building, Room 360
Kennesaw State University
Dept. of Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology
Kennesaw, Georgia
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