Dr Douglas Caruana

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research focuses on how neuromodulatory transmitter systems regulate synaptic plasticity and circuit function in brain regions critical for memory. I am particularly interested in the lateral entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, where dopamine, noradrenaline and adenosine strongly shape excitatory transmission, neuronal excitability and network dynamics. By combining electrophysiology, pharmacology and molecular approaches, my work seeks to uncover how these systems influence the encoding and retention of sensory information, and how environmental factors such as chronic caffeine exposure impact the development of memory circuits.

More broadly, my long-term goal is to define the fundamental mechanisms by which modulatory systems stabilise synaptic connections and support cognition, and to determine how their dysfunction contributes to disease. My research sits at the interface of cellular neurophysiology and systems neuroscience, providing mechanistic insight into how experience and neuromodulation interact to shape memory.

Research Groups

Plasticity Lab

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: encouraging, supportive, patient

Provision of Training

I provide structured, hands-on training in core experimental techniques myself, gradually increasing independence as confidence grows. Training is tailored to individual needs and supported by close supervision, constructive feedback and access to wider specialist expertise.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I take an active role in the research, providing close support when needed without overshadowing the student’s independence. Regular meetings and updates ensure steady progress, while maintaining flexibility for self-directed work. I encourage career development by supporting opportunities in training, collaboration and dissemination, helping students build both scientific expertise and professional confidence.

Communication

I value open and regular communication, and I encourage students to share progress, ideas and concerns as they arise. I am approachable and available for consultation, and we will maintain regular meetings and updates to keep projects on track. I support work–life balance and believe communication should be constructive, respectful and collaborative, ensuring students feel comfortable raising any issues that may affect their progress.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be face-to-face. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Patterns

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team. Core hours are Mon to Fri; work hours are flexible but depend on experimental protocols.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Project Title

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Project Title

Secondary Supervisor(s):

University of Registration:

BBSRC Research Themes:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Animal Health and Welfare, Microbial Food Safety, Plant and Crop Science)
Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Bio-energy, Industrial Biotechnology)
Understanding the Rules of Life (Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Plant Science, Soil Science, Stem Cells, Structural Biology, Systems Biology)
Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Diet and Health, Pharmaceuticals, Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin mattis sagittis eros nec egestas. Aenean dapibus iaculis porttitor. Proin egestas tellus eget efficitur lacinia. Aliquam feugiat porttitor nisl, id vehicula mauris semper eu. Praesent vulputate arcu lectus, eget laoreet orci tempor sit amet. Ut volutpat blandit lectus, id tincidunt lorem posuere sed. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. In iaculis, erat venenatis iaculis auctor, dolor lacus dictum metus, eu semper mi nisi eu felis. Nullam sapien est, ornare nec condimentum at, luctus ac nisi. Vestibulum laoreet gravida pellentesque. Etiam erat massa, pulvinar sed nisl eget, cursus finibus enim. Donec blandit tristique finibus. Maecenas non arcu erat. Fusce malesuada tortor eu augue sodales ullamcorper. Sed mi justo, placerat eu augue vel, convallis aliquam justo. Proin viverra erat ut blandit euismod.

Sed ornare efficitur tortor, rhoncus pharetra diam feugiat eu. Etiam egestas mi sem, sit amet dignissim magna interdum eu. Donec sollicitudin volutpat ex id pharetra. Etiam non ipsum eu urna tempor feugiat in sit amet nunc. Vestibulum ut eros ante. Phasellus ultrices augue quis pellentesque laoreet. Duis viverra, metus ac venenatis placerat, lacus ipsum suscipit odio, non aliquam sapien sem in libero. Quisque maximus purus sit amet varius consequat. Sed ullamcorper nulla a lectus efficitur, eu elementum arcu semper. Nulla facilisi. Mauris fringilla erat neque, at fermentum ex sagittis ut. Suspendisse at tempor velit. Nullam tincidunt lectus ut magna volutpat tempus. Praesent tincidunt consectetur lacus ut lacinia. Pellentesque at sapien orci. Sed massa urna, semper nec leo vitae, bibendum maximus dui.

Curabitur luctus ex vitae diam aliquet dignissim. Curabitur lobortis sem volutpat leo iaculis, at ultrices nibh convallis. Phasellus non purus ante. Vivamus convallis semper dui vel dapibus. Nulla fringilla mattis metus sed porttitor. Curabitur efficitur nibh purus, quis egestas erat sodales congue. Fusce ultricies, nibh sit amet iaculis suscipit, justo mi placerat orci, ut dictum mi sem ut erat. Praesent non elit at arcu auctor laoreet. Mauris euismod dignissim nisl, non rhoncus quam scelerisque nec. Nullam pharetra orci sed lectus viverra ornare. In vitae convallis neque, nec dictum est. Maecenas rutrum tristique turpis sit amet imperdiet. Aliquam cursus consectetur urna, euismod ultricies quam venenatis ac. Aenean feugiat nulla vitae libero blandit, ut faucibus lectus elementum.

Co-supervisor on a project / projects with supervisor name + link.