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Natalia Shevtsova

Natalia Shevtsova, PhD

Research Assistant Professor


Department: Neurobiology & Anatomy

Education

  • PhD in Computer Science - Rostov State University (1996)
  • MS in Mathematics - Rostov State University (1973)

Dr. Shevtsova joined the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine as a research assistant professor in 2006.

After earning her master's degree in 1973, Dr. Shevtsova joined A. B. Kogan Research Institute for Neurocybernetics at Rostov State University, where she worked for many years as a researcher/senior researcher. During this time she was a visiting scientist in the Laboratory for Analysis and Control of Systems at Le Havre University, France. In 1996, she earned a PhD in computer science from Rostov State University. From 1996 to 1998, she was a research associate in the laboratory of Dr. James Reggia at the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland.

Dr. Shevtsova was a visiting scientist in the Department of Computer Science at University of Maryland and the Department of Computer Science of Middlesex University, London, both in 2001. From 2001 to 2004, she held a research associate position in the laboratory of Dr. Ilya Rybak at Drexel University's School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems.

Research Interests

Computational neuroscience, motor control, modeling neural control of respiration and locomotion

Research

Dr. Shevtsova's research interests include computational and mathematical modeling of biological neurons and neural networks, neural oscillations, neural control of respiration and locomotion, and visual perception and recognition.

Neurogenesis of the respiratory rhythm and neural control of breathing:

  • Network mechanisms for respiratory rhythm generation and pattern formation
  • Spatial organization of the brainstem respiratory center
  • The role of cellular and network mechanisms in the respiratory rhythm generation
  • Control of respiration in normal and disease states

Neurogenesis of the locomotor rhythm and neural control of locomotion:

  • Cellular and network mechanisms for locomotor rhythm generation in the mammalian spinal cord. The locomotor central pattern generator (CPG)
  • Afferent and supra-spinal control of walking
  • Restoration of the locomotor function after spinal cord injury

Vision:

  • Neural mechanisms for image processing and feature detection in the visual cortex
  • Temporal dynamics of neuronal activity and orientation selectivity in the visual cortex
  • Visual image processing, perception, representation and invariant recognition
  • Computational modeling of lateralization in visual perception; functional cerebral asymmetries; interhemispheric interactions; effect of and recovery from focal cerebral damages; role of corpus callosum in functional lateralization and in post-stroke recovery

Dr. Shevtsova is a key investigator in two projects supported by the NINDS/NIH: "Spinal control of locomotion: studies and applications" (PIs: Rybak IA, Goulding M, Kiehn O) and "CRCNS: Rhythm generation in rodent spinal cord" (PI: Gouhgherty KJ, Co-P I: Shevtsova NA).

Publications

Selected Publications

Generation of the respiratory rhythm and neural control of breathing:

“Modulation of respiratory system by limb muscle afferents in intact and injured spinal cord”
Shevtsova NA, Marchenko V, Bezdudnaya T
Front. Neurosci. 13:289, 2019

“Rhythmic bursting in the Pre-Bötzinger complex: Mechanisms and models”
Rybak IA, Molkov YI, Jasinski PE, Shevtsova NA, Smith JC
Prog. Brain Res. 209: 25-38. 1-24, 2014

“Effects of glycinergic inhibition failure on respiratory rhythm and pattern generation”
Shevtsova NA, Büsselberg D, Molkov YI, Bischoff AM, Smith JC, Richter DW, Rybak IA
Prog. Brain Res. 209: 25-38, 2014

“A closed-loop model of the respiratory system: focus on hypercapnia and active expiration”
Molkov YI, Shevtsova NA, Park C, Ben-Tal A, Smith JC, Rubin JE, Rybak IA
PloS One 9 (10), e109894, 2014

“Sodium and calcium mechanisms of rhythmic bursting in excitatory neural networks of the pre-Bötzinger complex: a computational modeling study”
Jasinski PE, Molkov YI, Shevtsova NA, Smith JC, Rybak IA
Eur. J. Neuroscience, 37(2):212-230,2013

“Computational modelling of 5-HT receptor-mediated reorganization of the brainstem respiratory network”
Shevtsova NA, Manzke T, Molkov YI, Bischoff AM, Smith JC, Rybak IA, Richter DW
Eur.J. Neurosci. 34:1276-1291, 2011

“Interacting oscillations in neural control of breathing: modeling and qualitative analysis”
Rubin JE, Bacak BJ, Molkov YJ, Shevtsova NA, Smith JC, Rybak IA
J. Comp. Neurosci. 30: 607-632, 2011

“Multiple rhythmic states in a model of the respiratory CPG”
Rubin JE, Shevtsova NA, Ermentrout GB, Smith JC, and Rybak IA
J. Neurophysiol. 2009

"Reconfiguration of the pontomedullary respiratory network: a computational modeling study with coordinated in vivo experiments"
Rybak IA, O'Connor R, Ross A, Shevtsova NA, Nuding SC, Segers LS, Shannon R, Dick TE, Dunin-Barkowski WL, Orem JM, Solomon I C, Morris KF, and Lindsey BG
J. Neurophysiol. 100:1770-1799, 2008.

"Ionic currents and endogenous rhythm generation in the pre-Bötzinger Complex: Modelling and in vitro studies"
Pierrefiche O, Shevtsova NA, St.-John WM, Paton JFR, and Rybak IA
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 551: 121-126, 2004.

"Modelling respiratory rhythmogenesis. Focus on phase switching mechanisms"
Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, Paton JFR, Pierrefiche O, St.-John WM, and Haji, A
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 551, 189-194, 2004.

"Modeling the ponto-medullary respiratory network"
Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, Paton JFR, Dick TE, St-John WM, Mrschel M, and Dutschmann M
Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol. 143: 307-319, 2004.

"Intrinsic bursting activity in the pre-Bötzinger Complex: Role of persistent sodium and potassium currents"
Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, Ptak K, and McCrimmon DR
Biol. Cybern. 90: 59-74, 2004.

"Endogenous rhythm generation in the pre-Bötzinger complex and ionic currents: Modelling and in vitro studies"
Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, St.-John WM, Paton JFR, and Pierrefiche O
Eur. J. Neurosci. 18: 239-257, 2003.

"Sodium currents in neurons from the rostroventrolateral medulla of the rat"
Rybak IA, Ptak K, Shevtsova NA, and McCrimmon DR
J. Neurophysiol. 90: 1635-1642, 2003.

"Computational modeling of bursting pacemaker neurons in the pre-Bötzinger complex"
Shevtsova NA, Ptak K, McCrimmon DR, and Rybak IA
Neurocomputing 52-54, 933-942, 2003.

Computational modeling of spinal cord circuits and neural control of locomotion:

“Ipsilateral and contralateral interactions in spinal locomotor circuits mediated by V1 neurons: Insights from computational modeling”
Shevtsova NA, Li EZ, Singh S, Dougherty KJ, Rybak IA
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23(10):5541, 2022

“The role of V3 neurons in speed-dependent interlimb coordination during locomotion in mice“
Zhang H, Shevtsova NA, Deska-Gauthier D, Mackay C, Dougherty KJ, Danner SM, Zhang Y, Rybak IA
Elife, 11:e73424, 2022

“Computational modeling of spinal locomotor circuitry in the age of molecular genetics”
Ausborn J, Shevtsova NA, Danner SM
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(13):6835. 2021

“Neural Interactions in developing rhythmogenic spinal networks: insights from computational modeling”
Shevtsova NA, Ha NT, Rybak IA, Dougherty KJ
Front. Neural Circuits, 14:614615, 2020

“Computational modeling of brainstem circuits controlling locomotor frequency and gait”
Ausborn J, Shevtsova NA, Caggiano V, Danner SM, Rybak IA
Elife, 8:e43587, 2019

“Spinal V3 interneurons and left-right coordination in mammalian locomotion”
Danner SM, Zhang H, Shevtsova NA, Borowska-Fielding J, Deska-Gauthier D, Rybak IA, Zhang Y
Front. Cell Neurosci. 13:516, 2019

"State-dependent rhythmogenesis and frequency control in a half-center locomotor CPG"
Ausborn J, Snyder AC, Shevtsova NA, Rybak IA, Rubin JE
J. Neurophysiol. 119(1): 96-117, 2018.

"Computational modeling of spinal circuits controlling limb coordination and gaits in quadrupeds"
Danner SM, Shevtsova NA, Alain Frigon A, Rybak IA
Elife, e31050, 2017.

"Central control of interlimb coordination and speed-dependent gait expression in quadrupeds"
Danner SM, Wilshin SD, Shevtsova NA, Rybak IA
J. Physiol. 594(23): 6947-6967, 2016.

"Modeling the organization of spinal cord neural circuits controlling two-joint muscles"
Shevtsova NA, Hamade K, Chakrabarty S, Markin SN, Prilutsky BI, Rybak IA
In: Neuromechanical Modeling of Posture and Locomotion (Eds. Prilutski BI and.Edwards DH), Springer, New York, pp. 121-162. 2016.

"A comprehensive neuromechanical model of spinal locomotion"
Markin S.N., Klishko, A.N., Shevtsova, N.A., Lemay, M.A., Prilutsky, B.I., Rybak, I.A.
In: Neuromechanical Modeling of Posture and Locomotion (Eds. Prilutski BI and Edwards DG), Springer, New York, pp. 21-65, 2016.

"Organization of flexor-extensor interactions in the mammalian spinal cord: insights from computational modelling"
Shevtsova NA, Rybak IA
J. Physiol. 594(21): 6117–6131, 2016.

"Central control of interlimb coordination and speed-dependent gait expression in quadrupeds"
Danner  SM, Wilshin, SD, Bellardita C, Shevtsova NA, Kiehn O, Rybak IA
J. Physiol. 594(23): 6947-6967, 2016.

Organization of left-right coordination of neuronal activity in the mammalian spinal cord: Insights from computational modeling.
Shevtsova NA, Talpalar AE, Markin SN, Harris-Warrick RM, Kiehn O, Rybak IA
J. Physiol. 593.11, 2403-2426. 2015.

"Organization of locomotor CPG: making sense from genetically identified spinal interneurons.
Rybak IA, Dougherty KJ, Shevtsova NA"
Eneuro 2 (5), 0069-15, 2015.

"Two-level model of mammalian locomotor CPG"
Shevtsova NA
In: Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience (Eds Jaeger D and Jung R).  New York, NY, Springer, pp. 2999-3017, 2014.

"Activity-dependent changes in extracellular Ca2+ and K+ reveal pacemakers in the spinal locomotor network"
Brocard F, Shevtsova NA, Tazerart S, Bouhadfane M, Heinemann U, Rybak IA, Vinay L
Neuron, 3:1047-1054, 2013.

"Modelling genetic reorganizations in the mouse spinal cord  affecting left-right coordination during locomotion"
Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, Kiehn O 
J. Physiol. 591.22:  5491-5508, 2013.

"Neuronal activity in the isolated mouse spinal cord during spontaneous deletions in fictive locomotion: Insights into locomotor CPG organization"
Zhong G, Shevtsova N, Rybak I, Harris-Warrick R
J. Physiol. 590 (Pt 19): 4735-4759, 2012.

"A dynamical systems analysis of afferent control in a neuromechanical model of locomotion.
I. Rhythm generation"
Spardy LE, Markin SN, Shevtsova NA, Prilutsky BI, Rybak IA, Rubin JE
J. Neu. Eng. 8, 065003 (16pp), 2011.

"A dynamical systems analysis of afferent control in a neuromechanical model of locomotion.
II. Phase Asymmetry"
Spardy LE, Markin SN, Shevtsova NA, Prilutsky BI, Rybak IA., and Rubin JE.
J. Neu. Eng. 8, 065004 (19pp), 2011.

"Afferent control of locomotor CPG: insights from a simple neuro-mechanical model"
Markin, SN, Klishko, AN, Shevtsova, NA, Lemay M, Prilutsky BI, Rybak.IA
Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 1198: 21-34, 2010,

"Modelling spinal circuitry involved in locomotor pattern generation: insights from deletions during fictive locomotion"
Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, Lafreniere-Roula M, and McCrea DA
J. Physiol. Lond. 577(Pt. 2): 617-639, 2006.

"Modelling spinal circuitry involved in locomotor pattern generation: insights from the effects of afferent stimulation"
Rybak IA, Stecina K, Shevtsova NA, and McCrea DA
J. Physiol. Lond. 577(Pt. 2): 641-658, 2006.

Visual perception and recognition:

"Estimation of motion parameters by retina-like neural network model"
Shevtsova NA, Golovan AV, Podladchikova LN, Gusakova VI, Shaposhnikov DG, Faure A
Neurocomputers for Image and Signal Processing. Springer Verlag GmbH, 2009.

"Recognition of traffic signs based on their colour and shape features extracted using human vision models"
Gao XW, Podladchikova LN, Shaposhnikov D, Hong K, and Shevtsova NA
J. Visual Communication and Image Representation 17: 675-685, 2005.

"Attention-guided recognition based on what and where representations: A behavioral model"
Rybak IA, Gusakova VI, Golovan AV, Podladchikova LN, and Shevtsova NA
In: Neurobiology of Attention (Eds. Itti L, Rees G and Tsotsos J). Elsevier Acad. Press, pp. 663-670, 2005.

"Effects of callosal lesions in a model of letter perception"
Shevtsova NA, and Reggia J
Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience 2: 37-51, 2002.

"Interhemispheric effects of simulated lesions in a neural model of letter identification"
Shevtsova NA, and Reggia J
Brain and Cognition 44: 577-603, 2000.

"Lateralization in a bihemispheric neural model of letter identification"
Shevtsova NA, and Reggia J
Neurocomputing 26-27, 875-880, 1999.

"A neural network model of lateralization during letter identification"
Shevtsova NA, and Reggia J
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 11: 167-181, 1999.

"A model of attention-guided visual perception and recognition"
Rybak IA, Gusakova VI, Golovan AV, Podladchikova LN, and Shevtsova NA
Vision Research 38: 2387-2400, 1998.


Contact Information


Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy
2900 W. Queen Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Phone: 215.991.8592
Fax: 215.843.9082