Aleksander J. Bearden received the Edward M. Stricker Neuroscience Excellence Award from the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Neuroscience, in recognition of outstanding work and research potential. Aleksander has been mentored in our department by Paramita Basu, PhD, MS, and Bradley K. Taylor, PhD.
Aleksander’s thesis, “Androgen Receptor Regulation of Protein Kinase A Signaling Mediates Sex Differences in Latent Sensitization of Chronic Post‑Surgical Pain,” examines the molecular mechanisms that drive sex‑specific differences in chronic post‑surgical pain and highlights a previously underexplored function of androgen‑mediated Protein Kinase A signaling.
His findings have been presented at the International Association for the Study of Pain 2024 World Congress, the Midwest Great Lakes Undergraduate Research Conference, the 2025 and 2026 Pain Day, and consecutive Safar Symposia. Aleksander’s contributions have been recognized with the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Award Fellowship, a 2nd‑place poster presentation at the 2025 Safar Symposium, the 2024–25 Interfraternity Council Member of the Year Award, and placement on the Dean’s List every semester.
Beyond research, Aleksander has served as an undergraduate teaching assistant at the University of Pittsburgh for courses including Introduction to Neuroscience, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurophysiology. He has also served as president of the undergraduate Bioethics Society and as VP of Community Engagement for the Interfraternity Council.
After graduating summa cum laude with an honors Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience, Aleksander is planning to intern at Regeneron this summer. In the fall, he will attend Georgetown University Law Center as a Technology Law Scholar, focusing on life sciences patent infringement litigation.
The Department of Neuroscience created the Edward M. Stricker Neuroscience Excellence Award to recognize students who have excelled in the laboratory, as evidenced by an unusually high level of productivity, a profound commitment to completing a research project, and great potential for a research career.
Edward M. Stricker, PhD, the former Chair of the Department of Neuroscience, was instrumental in establishing the department and the undergraduate teaching and research program. The Stricker Award was created upon his retirement to honor him and to acknowledge a student who exemplifies excellence in neuroscience.