Biology

Dr. Carlita Favero
Dr. Carlita Favero

Carlita Favero

Our lab studies the impact of casual drinking during pregnancy on brain development in a mammalian model system (mice).

Carlita B. Favero, Ph.D. is a Professor of Biology and Neuroscience at Ursinus College. She received her B.S. in Biology and Elementary Education from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. She received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the lab of James W. Mandell, Ph.D. and did a postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Noelle D. Dwyer, Ph.D. at the University of Virginia. She joined the Ursinus College Biology Department and Neuroscience program in 2010.

Dr. Favero’s lab studies the impact of drinking during pregnancy on brain development using a mammalian model system (mice). She is particularly interested in the effects on brain wiring that is important for sensory processing, attention, and vulnerability to substance use disorders. These studies help us understand the behavioral alterations evident in humans with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Department

Biology

Degrees

  • B.S., College of William and Mary
  • Ph.D., University of Virginia

Teaching

Fundamentals of Neuroscience
Cell Biology

Glial Cell Biology
Developmental Neurobiology
Common Intellectual Experience

Bio 300 Learning to Lead

Research Interests

Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on brain development

Recent Work

Sicher, A., Kiss, S., Springmann, P., Herrera, K., McElroy, A., Blake, K., Crocker, E., Jacob, C., Lefkove, M., Cramer, M., Henriksen, A., Novacek, J., Severa, J., Siberski, J., Thomas, E., Chi, P., & Favero, C. (2021). Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure increases total length of L1-expressing axons in E15.5 mice. Neurotoxicology and teratology, 85, 106962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2021.106962 

Hawkins, W., Goddard, K., & Favero, C. (2021). A Cocurricular Program That Encourages Specific Study Skills and Habits Improves Academic Performance and Retention of First-Year Undergraduates in Introductory Biology. CBE life sciences education, 20(1), ar4. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.20-06-0117

Mathews, E., Dewees, K., Diaz, D., & Favero, C. (2021). White matter abnormalities in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Focus on axon growth and guidance. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 246(7), 812–821. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370220980398