I am interested in studying the effects of organophosphate pesticides on amphibian physiology/behavior and the possible modulation of these effects by the endocannabinoid system. Organophosphate agents are widely used as pesticides and work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to cholinergic toxicity. Endocannabinoids in mammals serve as neuromodulators, inhibiting the release of a myriad of neurotransmitters including acetylcholine. Sometimes endocannabinoids can help to mitigate the toxic effects of organophosphate pesticides by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. Organophosphate toxicants can also be potent inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme responsible for degrading the primary endocannabinoid anandamide. The role of endocannabinoids in amphibians is not well understood, so I am working to characterize its role using The Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) as a model organism. I am also interested in how neurophysiology translates into behavior. I will be monitoring the effects of organophosphate toxicity on prey-orientation behavior.