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  • Dr. Valbona Hoxha
Dr. Valbona Hoxha

Valbona Hoxha

Assistant Professor of Biology

Email: hoxha@lvc.edu

Phone: 717-867-6171

Office Location: Neidig-Garber 120

B.S., Middle East Technical University; Ph.D., University of Houston

Expertise:
Molecular Biology, Genetics, Animal Behavior

Research & Practice Areas:
Traumatic brain injury and its impact on the brain

My research is focused on understanding the neural pathways affected by traumatic brain injury. I use the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster as my model organism. Making use of the large number of genetic tools available in Drosophila, my lab investigates the molecular and behavioral effects of traumatic brain injury.

  • Board member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science
  • Associate editor to Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science

Publications

  • Hoxha, V.; Shrestha, G.; Baloch, N.*; Collevechio, S.*; Laszczyk, R.*; Roman, G. TBI and Tau Loss of Function Both Affect Naïve Ethanol Sensitivity in Drosophila. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 3301. 
  • Hoxha V. (2023) Effects of parental age and genotype on reproductive fitness in Drosophila melanogaster. Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. (pp 49-54). Penn State University Press. 
  • Hoxha V. (2023) Mating and reproductive performance in aged Drosophila melanogaster. Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. (pp 77-80). Penn State University Press.
  • Hoxha V. and Aliu E. (2022): ERI1: a case report of an autosomal recessive syndrome associated with developmental delay and distal limb abnormalities. American Journal of Medical Genetics (PartA). 2023; 191(1):64-69. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62987.
  • Hoxha V., Lama C, Chang P.L., Saurabh S., Patel N., Olate N., Dauwalder B. (2013). Sex-Specific Signaling in the Blood–Brain Barrier Is Required for Male Courtship in Drosophila. PLoS Genetics. 9(1): e1003217. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003217.
  • Li Y., Hoxha V., Lama C., Dinh B., Vo C.N., Dauwalder B. (2011). The hector G-Protein Coupled Receptor Is Required in a Subset of fruitless Neurons for Male Courtship Behavior. PlosOne. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028269
  • Benito J., Hoxha V., Lama, Lazareva A., Ferveur J., Hardin P., B. Dauwalder (2010). The circadian output gene takeout is regulated by Pdp1ε. PNAS. 107(6):2544-9. doi:10.1073/pnas.0906422107.
  • Hoxha, V., Kim, H., Hardin, P.E., Roman, G., Dauwalder, B. (2008). Takeout family members play a role in courtship in non-neuronal tissues. Dros. Res. Conf. 49: 615C.- Abstract.

Oral & Poster Presentations

  • S. Collevechio, R. Laszcyzk*, V. Hoxha (2023). The Role of Tau on Acute Alcohol Consumption post-Traumatic Brain Injury. Poster presented at the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS) in Gannon University, Erie, PA.
  • Laszczyk R.*, G. Natale*, S. Collevechio*, V. Hoxha (2023).   The effect of Dunc-13 during acute alcohol use post-Traumatic Brain Injury. Poster presented at the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS) in Gannon University, Erie, PA.
  • R. Laszczyk*, V. Hoxha (2023). The Role of Tau on Acute Alcohol Consumption post-Traumatic Brain Injury.Poster presented at the Inquiry Symposium, Lebanon Valley College, PA.
  • G. Natale*,  V. Hoxha (2023).  The effect of Dunc-13 during acute alcohol use post-Traumatic Brain Injury. Poster presented at the Inquiry Symposium, Lebanon Valley College, PA.
  • A. Buia*, N. Baloch*, V. Hoxha (2022) The influence of alcohol after traumatic brain injury in Drosophila melanogaster. Oral Presentation at the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences (PAS) in DeSales University, Center Valley, PA.
  • M. Aziz*, V. Hoxha (2022) Genetic reduction of  Munc13-1 does not offer protection from the acute alcohol post-concussion period. Poster presented at the Inquiry Symposium, Lebanon Valley College, PA.
  • L. Guzman, *N. Baloch*, V. Hoxha (2022). Understanding the molecular mechanisms of acute alcohol consumption post-concussion. Poster presented at Inquiry Symposium, Lebanon Valley College, PA.
  • N. Baloch*, V. Hoxha  (2022) The effects of alcohol consumption after traumatic brain injury. Poster presented at the Inquiry Symposium, Lebanon Valley College, PA.
  • J. Tate*, V. Hoxha (2019) The role of the ABC transporters MDR 65 and MRP 4 in alcohol sensitivity of Drosophila melanogaster. Poster presented at the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences (PAS) in Allentown, PA
  • J. Tate*, V. Hoxha (2019) The role of the ABC transporters MDR 65 and MRP 4 in alcohol sensitivity of D. melanogaster. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Showcase, York College of Pennsylvania, PA.

* Indicates mentored undergraduate co-author

  • BIO 111 General Biology I
  • BIO 112 General Biology II
  • BIO 205 Cell Biology
  • BIO 405 Cancer Biology
  • EXSC 130 Allied Health Anat. & Phys. I
  • EXSC 131 Allied Health Anat. & Phys. II