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Contact Info

Email: tweber [at] rider.edu

Phone Number: (609)896-5028

Department: Department of Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience and Health Sciences

Office Location: Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center

Additional Info:

Academic Focus: Biology

B.S., Slippery Rock University; M.S. and Ph.D., University of Illinois. His research examines the neurochemical basis of biological time keeping. Dr. Weber joined the Rider faculty in 2001.

Education

  • 1999-2001 Research Assistant Professor, University of Houston, Houston, TX
  • 1997-99 Civilian Scientist, Department of Defense, Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX
  • 1995-97 NRC Post-doctoral Fellow, US Air Force, Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX
  • 1994 PhD, Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
  • 1992 MS, Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
  • 1988 BS, Biology, Slipper Rock University, PA

Research Interests

Dr. Weber’s research addresses the organization of mammals’ physiology and behavior into circadian (daily) rhythms by the nervous system.  Experiments in the lab address how the circadian system influences other aspects of physiology & behavior.  Current student projects include studies of chronic circadian disruption on behavior, physiology and neurochemistry in mice, with a special emphasis on potential links to the onset of diabetes and obesity.

Results of these projects have been presented by students at national conferences of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms and the Society for Neuroscience, and have been published or submitted for publication in neuroscience journals.  Students working on these projects are pursuing careers in research, graduate school, medicine, and pharmaceutical industry.

Research Funding

  • NIH AREA "Effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on neurogenesis in hippocampus of mice." 2006-2013.
  • National Science Foundation, Characterization of Circadian Rhythms in Spiny Mice, 2004-2006.
  • Rider University Summer Research Fellowship, Effect of Chemotherapeutic Drugs on Circadian Rhythms in Mice, 2003
  • Rider University Summer Research Fellowship, Characterization of Circadian Rhythms in Spiny Mice, 2002

Courses Taught

  • Life Sciences:Biopsychology Emphasis (BPY-107)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology (BIO-221/222) and Lab
  • Vertebrate Physiology (BIO-305) and Lab
  • Principles of Biology:Evolution, Diversity and Biology of Animals (BIO-115) and Lab
  • Neurochemistry (BPY-360) and Lab
  • Seminar in Biopsychology (BPY-415)
  • Biology of Gender & Sexuality (GND-310)

Independent Projects

Biology/ Biopsychology/Biochemistry majors: Students with an interest in neuroscience and behavior are invited to speak with Dr. Weber about the possibility of independent research projects (BPY/BIO-490) or work study.  Studies of circadian rhythms can be approached using a broad range of tools, including molecular biology, electrophysiology, anatomy & histology, neurochemistry, and behavioral analysis.  It is anticipated that students successful in their research ventures will co-author published, peer-reviewed science manuscripts, make poster presentations of their research findings in the Rider science community, and attend national scientific conferences.

Interdisciplinary students: Library projects for students interested in interdisciplinary issues may be selected from topics that deal with the broad range of physiological and behavioral phenomena that are affected by the circadian system – for example, sleep & sleep disorders, jet lag, many mental disorders, timing of chemotherapeutics and other pharmaceuticals, hormone cycles, reproductive function. Other topics to match individual student interests are also possible.

Selected Publications

  • LeGates T.A., C.M. Altimus, H. Wang, H.K. Lee, S. Yang, H. Zhao, A. Kirkwood, E.T. Weber, and S. Hattar. 2013. Aberrant light directly impairs mood and learning through melanopsin-expressing neurons.  Nature 491: 594-598.
  • Wilson C.L., and E.T. Weber. Chemotherapy drug thioTEPA exacerbates stress-induced anhedonia and corticosteroid responses but not impairment of hippocampal cell proliferation in adult mice. 2013. Behav. Brain Res. 236: 180-185.
  • Mondie C.M., K.A. Vandergrift, C.L. Wilson, M.E. Gulinello, and Weber ET. 2010. The chemotherapy agent, thioTEPA, yields long-term impairment of hippocampal cell proliferation and memory deficits but not depression-related behaviors in mice.  Behav. Brain Res. 209: 66-72.
  • Legates T.A., D. Dunn, and E.T. Weber. 2009. Accelerated re-entrainment to advanced light cycles in BALB/cJ mice. Physiol Behav. 98: 427-32.
  • Kochman, L.J., E.T. Weber, C.A. Fornal and B.L. Jacobs.  2006.  Circadian variation in mouse hippocampal cell proliferation.   Neurosci. Lett. 406: 256-259.
  • Mignone, R.G. and E.T. Weber.  2006.  Potent inhibition of cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of mice by the chemotherapeutic drug, thioTEPA.  Brain Res 1111: 26-29.
  • Weber, E.T. and V.M. Hohn.  2005.  Characterization of circadian rhythms in locomotor activity of the common spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus.  Physiol & Behav 86: 427-433.
  • Tischkau, S.A., E.T. Weber, S.M. Abbott, J.W. Mitchell, and M.U. Gillette.  2003.  Circadian clock-controlled regulation of cGMP-protein kinase G in the nocturnal domain.  J. Neurosci. 23: 7543-50.
  • Weber, E.T., K.J. Elliott and M.A. Rea.  2001.  Adenosine A1 receptors regulate the response of the hamster circadian clock to light.  Eur. J. Pharmacol. 414: 45-53.
  • Elliott K.J., E.T. Weber and M.A. Rea.2001.  Adenosine A1 receptors regulate the response of the hamster circadian clock to light.  Eur. J. Pharmacol. 414: 45-53.
  • Weber, E.T., R.L. Gannon and M.A. Rea.  1998.  Local administration of serotonin agonists blocks light-induced phase advances of the circadian activity rhythm in the hamster.  J. Biol. Rhythms 13: 209-218.
  • Weber, E.T., and M.A. Rea.  1997.  Local neuropeptide Y blocks light-induced phase advances of wheel-running activity in the Syrian hamster.  Neurosci. Letters 231: 159-162.
  • Ding, J.M., D. Chen, E.T. Weber, L.E. Faiman, M.A. Rea, and M.U. Gillette.  1997.  A chiming biological clock?  Curr. Biol.  7: R460.
  • Pickard, G.E., E.T. Weber, P.A. Scott, A.F. Riberdy, and M.A. Rea.  1996.  5HT1B receptor agonists inhibit light-induced phase shifts of behavioral circadian rhythms and expression of the immediate-early gene c-fos in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.  1996.  J. Neurosci. 16: 8208-8220.
  • Weber, E.T., R.L. Gannon and M.A. Rea.  1995.  cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor blocks light-induced phase advances of circadian rhythms in vivo.  Neurosci. Letters 197: 227-230.
  • Weber, E.T., R.L. Gannon, A.M. Michel, M.U. Gillette, and M.A. Rea.  1995.  Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor blocks light-induced phase shifts of the circadian activity rhythm, but not c-fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the Syrian hamster.  Brain Research  692: 137-142.
  • Ding, J.M., D. Chen, E.T. Weber, M.A. Rea and M.U. Gillette. 1994.  Resetting the biological clock:  Mediation of nocturnal circadian shifts by glutamate and NO.  Science  266: 1713-1717.
  • Gillette, M.U., S.J. DeMarco, J.M. Ding, E.A.Gallman, L.E. Faiman, C. Liu, A.J. McArthur, M. Medanic, D. Richard, T.K. Tcheng, E.T. Weber. 1993. The organization of the suprachiasmatic circadian pacemaker of the rat and its regulation by neurotransmitters and modulators.  J. Biol. Rhythms  8: S53-S58.