i ETHANOL EXPOSURE IMPAIRS GLUTAMATERGIC SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION AND PLASTICITY IN THE CA1 HIPPOCAMPAL REGION DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER-EQUIVALENT OF HUMAN PREGNANCY: IMPLICATIONS FOR FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER By

I would first like to thank my mentor, Dr. Fernando Valenzuela. I am truly grateful for his dedication to my current and future success. He always provided encouragement, rigor, and the facilities necessary to achieve set goals. Thank you for always being there both personally and academically. Namaste. Thank you to my committee members, Drs. Wolf Mueller, Don Partridge, and Bill Shuttleworth. I appreciate your efforts to provoke critical thought about science and my research. Your teachings exceed far beyond the lab bench. Thank you. To the MD/PhD Program and those ensure its success, thank you for the support and opportunities that you have made possible for me. To my lab mates, Paula, Stephano, Paolo, Jenni, and Levi, we shared ideas, learned from each other, and had a great time in the lab. Thank you. To the Neuroscience department, thank you for fostering an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and future preparation. In addition, Mandara, thank you for your help with my fellowship application, and Buz for technical issues throughout my graduate time